Road Cycling - What handle bar tape do you like best??

Mine is slowly becoming a tatered mess, so I'm wondering what people here use and if there is a preference either way..

Cinelli cork is my favorite - just not in white, which gets dirty fast.

However, I installed Performance Bike's house brand tape when I built up my new bike since they didn't have any Cinelli in stock. It's a synthetic, quite comfortable and very durable. I'm favorably impressed and would buy it again.

I like cork tape. Just so you know, most of the cork tape -- Cinelli, Pedros, Nashbar, Conago, whatever -- is actually made by the same one or two companies, and just branded. Consequently, there isn't any difference between Cinelli and Pedros, for example, so buy whatever is cheaper. I have Profile synthetic tape on my cyclocross bike. It's spongier than real cork, so it absorbs trail shock a little better, and it sheds water a bit better than cork and doesn't get dirty quite as quickly. On the other hand, it's not adhesive, so it can be a little harder to wrap, and I find I prefer the feel of real cork.

I like to change the tape twice a year. I also use black cork because it doesn't get as dirty and crummy-looking as light coloured tape.

Im with Velo on this the tape all sems the same to me i use 2 layers of cork what ever the LBS has in stock at the time. I use black so it doesnt show the dirt so bad. suually change tape during winter overhaul.
catfish

I like Cinelli.

Nashbar does us some favors by offering a similar product at about half the price, but the Nashbar tape seems a bit softer, mushier, more synthetic spongie than Cinelli.

So cork is adhesive and synth is not. Then synth might be the choice for me, because this would be my first wrap job.. and I have no experience with it. Any tips on wraping?

I prefer Cinelli, but have been satisfied with the synthetics. One thing I have started doing is pulling the sticky tape off the Cinelli and others before wrapping. I INVARIABLY wind up having to back off and rewrap the last half and the tape almost always tears a chunk or two off somewhere no matter how careful I am. It stays put just fine without the tape as long as you stretch it just a bit to get it good and snug. If you are looking for a certain color or just want to check out the options try cbike.com. I think they have every color and combination Cinelli makes. Caveat, they aren't necessarily cheap and shipping can make for an expensive roll of tape, but if you want a specific color/combo you can probably get it. Your LBS may be willing to order a specific color which would save you the shipping.
Regards,
Raymond

I think all padded tapes are self sticking. --It's not that sticky when you first apply it and it can be unwrapped if you get it wrong the first time.-- Also, there will be instructions on how to do it included with the tape. I use Torelli or Samson, but almost any brand is OK.
The hardest part about choosing tape is which color or colors. There must be close to 50 different colors and combinations of colors. Luckily, most retailers don't stock them all.

I'm also partial to the Cinelli tape. An adhesive backed tape might actually be easier to deal with and stay put better. So, it is a good choice for a first time wrapper.

The most important advice: take your time.

Work from the end of the bar to the middle, wrap tight and overlap carefully. Check the net for instructions on wrapping handlebars. I've seen a couple of sites that give good instructions.

Oh yeah, don't mess with the lousy little finishing tapes they stick in the box with the handlebar tape. Use a wrap or two of electricians tape. It looks better (to my eye) and sticks better.

The synthetic tapes sold under the Profile Designs brand and other brands does not have an adhesive back. Cinelli, Pedros, Colnago, Deda, etc. cork tape are all the same tape.. They simply use contract suppliers [there are two or three big ones] and package it themselves. Sometimes, they stamp their logo on it. Consequently, there is little difference between most of these tapes except packaging and price.

go here, and look under the heading Handlebar Tape (http://www.bitrot.de/bbook_steering.html)

Have a great day!

Silva cork! cheaper than Cinelli

Out of frustration, I am returning to adhesive-backed tape. I wrap the non-adhesive stuff tightly from bottom to top and tape the ends, but the upper sections still work loose on me as I ride. I still like old-fashioned cloth as well as anything.

I use a Black Pinarello Brand Bar tape, it goes a long way and doesn't get dirty easy.....

I just retaped with the budget brand, Serfas. It was really easy to work with and is very comfortable on the road.

Rich