What bar tape for a drop bar touring bike? Any wrapping hints?

[vickster]

I like Supacaz or Fizik
Lizard Skins wears too quickly
Don't like cork
All my bikes have crosslevers

 

[mrushton]

BCR on YouTube had a vlog on wrapping and showed some really nice stretchy bar tape

 

[T4tomo]

Wrapping from the drop ends is what I've been referring to as "outside-in". Am I using the wrong terminology?

That's what causes the rucking.

No I understood, but then there is also which way you start wrapping from that end / outside and you need each side to match, particularly if there is any logo or brand name on the tape

 

[Sharky]

After all this reflection on bar tape, I might go back to cloth tape, to match my age. If I wear gloves, they would be gel padded and most of my riding is on the SRAM hoods, which are soft rubber.

 

[MichaelW2]

Has anyone tried the fancy bar tape plaiting with two colours?

 

[freiston]

I haven't taped bars for years (my only drop bar bike hardly ever gets used) but I do recall being impressed with the Cinneli cork/gel stuff. I have a vague notion that I have used the Spa equivalent too and been ok with it.

You are correct, but removing the levers is IMHO a small added inconvenience compared to the tape being sticky from using insulating tape.

I too have used the heatshrink and liked the result but when the tape needed replacing, I couldn't be bothered with removing the levers and so reverted to inferior methods (iirc, the silicone sleeves mentioned below but ultimately with added insulation tape).

crikey, that's expensive........ I recall Cycling weekly gave a similar design (plastic) pair away with each issue about 40 years ago - I probably have a pair tucked away in a drawer!

I have some silicone sleeves for the same purpose but they do tend to move - which defeats their purpose.

There are some superb creations using 2 different colours of bar tape on the same bar - I don't think I'd be able to do it, but take my hat off to anyone with the ability!

Has anyone tried the fancy bar tape plaiting with two colours?

I have tried using old tape (of the same colour) on a spare bar (sans bike) but found it impossible to even get started.

 

[mickle]

Outside in.