Road Cycling - Whats The Best Bar Tape

I got the "3ttt" brand tape last and i found it a bit of a stretch to make it fit on my bars. They could do with a few more inches of the stuff. Has anyone had good/bad experiences with bar tape? what do u use?

I've had some Salsa tape... didn't like that. I currently have Cinelli cork, and I really like it, but it's too expensive for my blood. I'm going for cheapo Profile Designs next.

I guess it all depends on how thick/thin you wrap it.

Well I am a cheap skate, so I prefer using really grip tape! You know that cheap crap that consrtuction ppl use. It works for me, but anyways, I wouldnt reccomend it for a serious rider..

I think that Deda is the best for the money. At around 12 dollars it is priced similarly to other tapes. The biggest factor is that the colors are true - they do not have any cork "flecks" in the tape (little brown spots). The white is actually white, the black all black, etc. It has a great feel too, not too thick, not too thin. I think Cinelli is a little thin.

-Ryan

I also like Cinelli, it lasts me a long time so price not a prob. There is (or was??) a wrap with an actual layer of natural cork on top- i have this on my Puch, very comfortable, grips well & it's so durable i don't remember who makes it.:->

You don't have to change wraps just because it keeps slipping - i put loops of duct tape along my bars before wrapping to hold it in place.

Cloth tape makes a good chainstay guard.

If you wear gloves does the tape really make much difference anyway?

cAPS

Originally posted by cAPSLOCK
If you wear gloves does the tape really make much difference anyway?

cAPS

I think it depends on how leaned over you are. If you put a lot of pressure on your hands, then after about 50 miles, every little bit makes a difference.

I usually just get whatever is at the LBS.

I like Selev bar tape. Good price-quality match, quite durable and it comes with nice plastic caps (instead of plastic tape) for nicely covering the inner ends of the tape (near the stem).

the funny thing is that most cork ribbon bar tape is made by the same one or two companies and labeled differently. cinelli, pedros, bontrager, silva and a whole lot of others is all the same stuff. it all looks the same and feels the same.

personally, i prefer non-adhesive tape, so i use profile. aside from that, it's all the same.

actually, There is a big diff that I have noticed in the bontrager tape vs the cinelli. the bontrager is really stretchy, like rubber, but the cinelli is not so much. The only issue that I have with the current cinelli tape I have is that it gets really slippery when it is wet. does anyone know of any tape that ISN'T slippery when wet?

I just replaced mine with Deda also. Great feel, many colors and reasonable.

I've tried most of 'em and can't see or feel too much difference.

I picked up some cheap blue cork tape two years ago sold under the brand "Pyramid". Turns out to be one of the best wraps I've used. I've removed it three times (non-adhesive), cleaned with soap and water and a soft brush, re-wrapped and it's as good as new.
If I remember correctly- it was $7.

i'm using Cinelli Cork tapes.. very good..

I'm currently using the Easton handlebar tape. Bet you didn't know Easton sold tape. :) Actually I think it's just a rebadged version of the same tape that Deda and ITM uses. It's fairly well padded but not overly so and to be honest, it does feel much better than the Cinelli cork tape I had on previously.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/cycling/bikes/Aegis/2001-Aro_Svelte/images/bartape.jpg
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/cycling/bikes/Aegis/2001-Aro_Svelte/images/PICT0010.JPG

Originally posted by Phatman
does anyone know of any tape that ISN'T slippery when wet?

I had Bon Jovi's tape 'Slippery When Wet', so no I don't!:D

I like the new Cinelli cork with gel - same product as the Shimano with gel. It offers more cushion than the 'old' cork tapes.

Im giving the cinelli gel tape a try as soon as it comes in from back order.I tried 4 places and all were out and on back order.Somebody else going to try it to?

Originally posted by Resident
I had Bon Jovi's tape 'Slippery When Wet', so no I don't!:D



ah ha! I have this one too, just on CD :D