Lizardskins bar tape

[bozmandb9]

I was feeling flush a few months back after some incredible cycling related bargains, and decided to treat myself to some Lizardskins bar tape. We can't all buy Pinarello Dogma's, but contact points are important, and I thought I'd treat myself to the best on my bars.

Well, what a let down! Ok, we all know it's stupidly expensive, but one would perhaps expect at least in return to get exceptional comfort, and high quality. The feeling of being let down began on opening the packet - the bar ends are absolute crap. But that's Ok, since they fall out after 5 minutes, so can be replaced with some half decent ones.

The tape once on (which happens by ignoring the stupid crap instructions and finding a Youtube video tutorial), is OK. Comfort, despite the 3.2 mm thickness is probably just above average, but after less than 6 months, I can report quicker wear in this bar tape than any I've previously used, and I've never gone premium before.

So in summary, if you want bar tape which costs 3-5 times the price, for average comfort, and poor durability, Lizardskins are for you - oh, and customer service don't bother to reply either. I'd give them 1 out of 10 (unless there was a zero option).

 

[jefmcg]

Mirrors my (albeit second hand) experience. @vickster, want to join in?

(I wont be getting it again, unless it's free)

Edit: That's both secondhand experience (from @vickster) and second hand bar tape (thanks - genuinely from a generous CC user I can't find now

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I agree. Widget or ODI if I’m feeling opulent.

 

[HLaB]

I have it on my commuter as it was donated its quite nice but I don't its significantly better than the cork tapes I have/had on my other bikes.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Glad I never bothered ;-) think I will stick to the deda Black carbon effect tape at £6.99 a roll on the bay. Have it on my good bike and my fixed wheeler. The CX will be next to get some !

 

[andrew_s]

I put some on last weekend. No wear visible yet, but I await developments.
I ignored the plugs, as I use bar end shifters.

For info, I had Widget tape on before.
It was easy to fit, and it doesn't have sticky tape on the back so you can unwrap it and rewrap it the other way round when it starts to wear. I quite liked it from a comfort & cleanliness point of view, but I wasn't overly impressed with the rate of wear, given the cost.
It does come with quite nice internally expanding bar end plugs.

 

[amasidlover]

This was my experience too - the fitting instructions gave a very poor result, redoing as I normally do bar tape gave a perfectly good result, but the surface layer at contact points with gloves then wore off in a matter of months - which I've never had with any other bar tape..

I quite like the PRO (Shimano accessory brand) and Fizik tapes for a similar feel with better longevity and much cheaper.

My favourite tape of all time was the Whyte branded stuff that came on my Whyte Dorset - no idea who makes it for them; I suppose I could email and ask...

 

[vickster]

This was my experience too - the fitting instructions gave a very poor result, redoing as I normally do bar tape gave a perfectly good result, but the surface layer at contact points with gloves then wore off in a matter of months - which I've never had with any other bar tape..

I quite like the PRO (Shimano accessory brand) and Fizik tapes for a similar feel with better longevity and much cheaper.

My favourite tape of all time was the Whyte branded stuff that came on my Whyte Dorset - no idea who makes it for them; I suppose I could email and ask...

Apparently Whyte Anti Slip with 3M Reflective Logos on Tapes if you do email. You can get the finishing tapes on heir website but can't see the actual bartape

 

[pclay]

I have lizardskins 2.5mm on my Cannondale. It's OK, but not worthy of the premium price. As above, I ignored the fitting instructions which state not to stretch the tape. It needs to be stretched to get a good fit.

Best tape in my experience is Cannondale synapse bar tape or zipp service course cx.

 

[User6179]

Shimano Pro tape for me, double wrapped on the hoods, easily get 10000 miles before any signs of wear, can be removed and washed and put back on as well.

 

[jay clock]

Ignoring the price I quite liked the 3.2mm LS tape. But the thinner version wore on the right hand side in a matter of three weeks. Very comfy though and looks amazing