Handlebar Cover Testing UPDATED

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Velo Orange was working on elk hide handlebar covers. Details here: http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2006/05/sewn-on-handlebar-covers.html

Since I'm working on the front and rear rack, handlebar bag, secret 650-b rim project (oops), saddle bags, and a bunch of other stuff, I don't have time to put in the few hundred miles of testing the covers should have. That's where you come in.

I'll make up as many sets of covers as I can with the leather I have in stock, probably 8 or 10, and offer them to anyone who wants them for half price (or $14). They will include mounting tape, instructions, needles, and thread. The deal is that you have to agree to put them on right away, ride with them a lot for a week or so, and email me with a short evaluation. Also I'd like to know how long it took to install them and if the directions were clear.

A few more details: We have our cutting die for the covers, but the design is not perfect. The covers have a slight nick on the edges near the middle. This won't be noticable once they are installed. We'll fix the die after I cut this run.

I've left a piece of elk hide in a sunny spot for about 10 days. I treated one third with neetsfoot oil, one third with Proofhide, and left one third bare. The neetsfoot oil part is the color of a honey saddle and looks great. The bare part is undamaged and a gold color. The proofhide part is a light tan and also look good.

Please contact me via e-mail if you want to be an elkhide tester. (Just the thing to put on your resume.)

UPDATE: They are all gone. Thanks.