How long should handlebar tape last?

[jimboalee]

I've had my Dawes Giro for two and a half years and the handlebar tape is getting a bit roughed-up.

My gloves have little gel pips on the palm. Could this be the reason?

Should I change my mittens at the same time as changing the handlebar tape?

I asked my LBS man last night and he said "Pi55 off you dumb tw4t!"

 

[youngoldbloke]

My gloves have little gel pips on the palm. Could this be the reason?

Should I change my mittens at the same time as changing the handlebar tape?

- and what is the meaning of life?

 

[spandex]

I have seen tape last 3 months if not put on right then on the over side there is some that has been out there for 10 years.

 

[dellzeqq]

two and a half years isn't bad. The really nice cork stuff goes very quickly.

 

[swee'pea99]

I think there's a trade-off between longevity and comfort. As Dellzegg says, if your nice comfy cork stuff lasts two and half years, I think you're doing ok. But I've bought 20 year old bikes that still had their original hard plastic tape on - usually pretty grungy, but sound. Personally I'd rather use the nice stuff and change it now & then - and I'm tight as a gnat's chuff.

 

[Will1985]

I asked my LBS man last night and he said "Pi55 off you dumb tw4t!"

Serious? Name and shame...

 

[02GF74]

us cork take really made from cork ? and how do they make it so it is one piece? is it ickle bits for cork glued together or waht?

think what I am asking is how is cork tape made?

 

[D4VOW]

I change mine every few months but then it's white and I ride without gloves in the sun to avoid tan lines.

 

[4F]

I've had my Dawes Giro for two and a half years and the handlebar tape is getting a bit roughed-up.

My gloves have little gel pips on the palm. Could this be the reason?

Should I change my mittens at the same time as changing the handlebar tape?

I asked my LBS man last night and he said "Pi55 off you dumb tw4t!"

Oh come on jimboalee, 1/10 must try harder Still you got a few

 

[ASC1951]

I ride without gloves in the sun to avoid tan lines.

Vain? Moi?

Er, so do I, but only because it's another thing not to bother with.

 

[leoc]

I usually manage to scrape mine off on the road before it wears out

 

[Joe24]

My Fizik stuff is doing alright, got a little tear in it from something though, and thats gotten grubby
I look at it as i ride along and i hate it. It came a couple of weeks ago.
Its been on a few months, could do with a clean now though.
The other bar tape i have, its on my Giant, is bad. I chanegd it half way through last year and even after not using it much its pretty crap. One side does look worse because of when i fell off and ripped it, but it looks and feels bad. But then i might be sued to my Fizik stuff now.

 

[jimboalee]

Vain? Moi?

Er, so do I, but only because it's another thing not to bother with.

Contrary to popular belief, gloves and mittens are NOT for comfort when holding the handlebars.

They are worn so little bits of road grit don't get embedded in your palm when you fall off your bike.

 

[Steve Austin]

and there was me thinking they were to give you interesting tan lines to liven up office conversations

 

[yello]

There must be an equation for it.

I don't know how long it should, I just change it as and when, but I guess I'd be pretty peeved to be changing it every year.