Shellac Alternatives

[Bob Warner]

Has anyone used alternatives to shellac for newbaum handlebar tape?   Can't find anything smaller than a quart of shellac locally.  Wondering how polyurethane would work??

thanks!! 

[Brent Eastman]

I run my newbaums raw on both my bikes. Super comfy, lasts forever, dries quick.

I tried shellac once and it was like riding with plastic bar wrap. Not sure why people do it.

[Pam Bikes]

I like the shellac and had to get a new can.  I have the quart and would be glad to give you some.  I'm in Charlotte, NC.  Riv has the little can.

[J S]

I've also stopped using shellac. I have only 2 bikes left, one with shellacked bars, one with just Newmans. I too like the feel of the Newman s but I still enjoy both.

[John Johnson]

I use shellac less and less, but mainly because my handlebar choices have moved more upright (with grips) over time. 

But, I do like using flake shellac, since you can choose to dissolve only a small amount (in alcohol) of flakes, enough for a handlebar or two and you don't need to have a gallon of shellac sitting around your house. 

Velo orange had an only blog post about it here: https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2006/03/shellac-basics_22.html

You can get flake shellac in a lot of different stores that sell woodworking material, or online, I suppose.

cheers,

John