Handle bar tape - suggestions please

[Davidc]

I need to re-tape my bars (on my Dawes Horizon) 'cos it's coming apart.

It's years since I bought any - I had a cardboard box with 24 rolls of it I bought in a bankrupt sale about 30 years ago but now I've run out.

There seem to be several varieties of padded type tape on the market. Any to avoid? Any particularly good?

 

[ianrauk]

I use either Eastons or Cinelli.
But as you say, there are so many brands and types now. And everyone will have their own opinion as to which one they use/think best.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I like Fizik Micro Tex and tend to stick with it as a result.

It's fits well, wears well, grips well, and looks well

Then again, I've never had any bad tape either!

The RSP tape that came included with some RSP bars I bought for my fixed also seems very good

 

[Davidc]

I use either Eastons or Cinelli.
But as you say, there are so many brands and types now. And everyone will have their own opinion as to which one they use/think best.

Thanks Ian.

Expecting plenty of opinion - most needed is any warnings of duff stuff. There's just too much variety out there.

 

[bicyclos]

I bought an old leather jacket from the car boot for £3 about 4yrs ago. Cut all the lining out, washed and dried the leather. I was going to make a pair of leather gloves for cycling out of it but never got round to it. Three weeks ago I dug it out and came up with the idea of using it as handlebar tape. I cut the leather into 3cm strips and tightly stitched the ends together and made two rolls. I used Brooks proofer to buff it up after I fit the rolls. The result is great and it will last for years.....I have just got my hands on a leather couch a guy at work was throwing away. I could make a leather skin suit out of that and a pair of shoes.......

 

[smokeysmoo]

I could make a leather skin suit out of that and a pair of shoes.......

Is there anything you'd like to get off your chest bicyclos?

 

[Davidc]

It's bar tape I'm interested in not the peculiar perversions of cycling leather fetishists!

 

[theclaud]

I use black Bike Ribbon Pro on my utility/commuting bikes. It's dirt cheap (which is why I bought it initially), and I thought it would look plasticky on the bike, but in fact once on it looks smarter and wears better than a lot of more expensive tapes with sexier finishes. It is also also survives re-use and is robust and easy to install. I've just bought some to replace some horrible spongy tape on an inherited bike.

 

[Davidc]

I use black Bike Ribbon Pro on my utility/commuting bikes. It's dirt cheap (which is why I bought it initially), and I thought it would look plasticky on the bike, but in fact once on it looks smarter and wears better than a lot of more expensive tapes with sexier finishes. It is also also survives re-use and is robust and easy to install. I've just bought some to replace some horrible spongy tape on an inherited bike.

Sounds like the stuff I had 24 rolls of (which was French). I'll take a look.

Thanks

 

[derrick]

I have just put( see link below ) this on my partners bike, looks and feels good.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200550342...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[mcshroom]

I just tend to buy cheap cork tapes. My current bikes have either Deda or Eastons black tape on them and it's all pretty good

 

[bicyclos]

It's bar tape I'm interested in not the peculiar perversions of cycling leather fetishists!

I have been disappointed with the various tapes I have used over the years on my bikes ie; not lasting long and looking shabby after a years use. Ive got Brooks leather handlebar tape on my best bike and it is expensive for what you get. The result with the above reply is on par with the Brooks leather tape I bought and it has opened my eyes to making my own.

Is there anything you'd like to get off your chest bicyclos?

Thanks for the concern, but I hate waste and I enjoy making things out of the materials which i can get my hands on. No I am not into S & M what ever that is!! yeah I do no what it is.....honestly I have never tried it with home made leather goods.......

 

[MattHB]

Lizard skinz is amazing stuff.. I loves it

 

[Rob3rt]

Cinelli Cork or Fizik Microtex!

Don't bother breaking the bank on expensive fancy tape!

 

[Steve Malkin]

+1 for Cinelli Cork bar tape, and Velodrome shop have it on offer for £5 at the moment, just ordered myself a couple of rolls for future use.
http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=1441