Bar Tape

[John the Monkey]

I'm replacing mine after my off (gone for F'iz:ik microtex with their bar gel pads, as I suffer a bit with the less cushy tapes).

It got me wondering though, what tapes you all favour?

Is anyone still using that thin stuff that was all the rage on the old ten speeds? Is there a brand you've always used? Do you just pick up whatever's cheap at the time, or have you never changed the tape on your bikes?

My old bike had the thin stuff at first, changed because it didn't mitigate any road vibration at all, and I started to get numb thumbs after riding - it was lethal in the wet too, reducing grip to a frighteningly low level. The replacement was cork plus tape (bought, I have to admit, largely because I liked the colour choices offered (red and white to match the frame...)

The new bike has a cushy tape that I assume is supplied by Giant - I've been quite happy with it, although one side is torn now following its abrupt contact with the road.

 

[Amanda P]

Call me an old fogey, but I like Grab-On.

On some bikes, I have cork tape plus gel pads, which is almost as good.

 

[Chuffy]

Baggy and I both swear by Cinelli Gel Bar Tape. Not the cheapest but nice and squishy, seems to last pretty well and, rejoice! it has a tacky sticky strip, rather than a glue strip. Which means that you can peel it off and re-wrap it as many times as you like.

 

[Chuffy]

Call me an old fogey, but I like Grab-On.

Oh god, 80's tastic!

 

[breydonboy]

Call me strange (or tight!).

I use 1 inch wide black twill tape that I buy from the needlework stall in the local market.
When wound tight the tape stays in place at the top of the bars. At the bottom I put a couple of dabs of mastic/silicone.
Its cheap, good-looking and anti-slip.

 

[Baggy]

Don't your hands ache over long distances though?

 

[Steve Austin]

Easton bar tape is nice

 

[alecstilleyedye]

both road bikes have the cinelli tape

 

[Joe]

Cinelli cork!

 

[HLaB]

A bit OT, I'm still Bianchi tape that came on my summer bike, it still seems in good condition after 1860 mls, my other bikes are flat bar. How long should bar tape last?

 

[John the Monkey]

How long should bar tape last?

In my case, 'til you get knocked on your arse by a bus

I'd say once it starts to look tatty, and doesn't clean up nicely, probably time to change.

 

[John the Monkey]

Fi'zi:k bar:gel set reviewed by me here, if anyone's interested.

 

[bobg]

Rather fond of Grab On too, trouble is it has a tendency to grab on when you dont want it too. Just tried Cinelli Cork with gel pads recently and I think that has the edge. Or old inner tube . That twill stuff lasts forever when coated with a few layers of button polish - a traditional method I believe.