Is Brooks Leather Bar tape still good?

[Hugh Jampton]

Hi Guys

Recently invested in a Brooks saddle for my bike. After a few hundred miles riding, this is now becoming very comfortable and my ass is very glad of it!

Now to balance the look of the bike and to obey Velominati Rule#8 i would like to add the matching Brooks leather bar tape.

Pricing is about £40+ but have noticed reviews are saying this is not as good as it used to be. Tape made from strips that split at the joins. Now Cheap plastic/rubber bar ends. If I am lumping out £40 I would like something that at least will endure.

There are a few posts on here, but nothing recent. It seems the Brooks brand has taken a bit of a dive more recently?

I defer to your collective good advice

 

[raleighnut]

Velox cloth tape?

 

[hoopdriver]

I’ve got Gilles Berthoud leather bar tape in my tourer. It’s ten years old and still looks really good. I assume Gilles Berthoud standards have stood the rest of time better than Brooks.

 

[Brooks]

Spa cycles do their own bar tape at roughly half the price, might be worth a look.

 

[Hugh Jampton]

It will be a case of matching to the saddle if possible. I have the brown leather Brooks. Would the Spa or Gilles match?

 

[Brooks]

It will be a case of matching to the saddle if possible. I have the brown leather Brooks. Would the Spa or Gilles match?

Have a look on the Brooks and Spa sites, only you can make that judgement.