Touring - Bar Tape

Need to replace the worn out cloth tape on my bars. Any recommendations for replacements?
The cloth looks all retro, but might there be something out there that gives a little more shock absorption w/o losing too much of the vintage look?

Wrap an old tube on your bars then cover with the bar tape.

No persona experience with this Nashbar leather tape... All I know is it's lots cheaper than the brooks stuff. Don't know if this would interest you or not.. but here is a link.http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175662_-1_10000__10001

No persona experience with this Nashbar leather tape... All I know is it's lots cheaper than the brooks stuff. Don't know if this would interest you or not.. but here is a link.http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175662_-1_10000__10001

Here's a synthetic version that is less than half the cost:
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?ID=80312-Rav+X+Leather+Handlebar+Tape

Wrap an old tube on your bars then cover with the bar tape.

Really?

You can always double wrap the bar. Use a modern looking gel tape (read: less expensive) for the first layer and then the nice retro looking stuff on top. This will make the grip diameter larger, but if you don't mind that it should work for you.

You can always double wrap the bar. Use a modern looking gel tape (read: less expensive) for the first layer and then the nice retro looking stuff on top. This will make the grip diameter larger, but if you don't mind that it should work for you.

Cool, as I like the look and feel of cloth tape.

The Fizik bargel microtex tape kits work well. Gel makes it plush, and the tape has a nice, almost suede type texture.

Nashbar has come good tape and also sells seperately gel pads, get 2 sets and instead of pulling off the backing and sticking the pads on, use scotch tape to hold in place. this way when it comes time to change the tape again you can reuse the pads without ripping them up

I've always used Cinelli cork, in black. Feels good, holds up.

Really?

Yes, really. I've also put new tape on top of old, ratty used-up cork tape, and the double layer is relatively plush but looks fresh. I never toss old cork tape anymore, I save it for use as an "undercoat" on a future retaping.

Wrap an old tube on your bars then cover with the bar tape.

My bars are currently setup with a layer of inner tube under shellaced cloth tape. The inner tube adds almost no cushioning. :crash: Maybe two layers of inner tube would work.

You can always double wrap the bar. Use a modern looking gel tape (read: less expensive) for the first layer and then the nice retro looking stuff on top. This will make the grip diameter larger, but if you don't mind that it should work for you.

+1. Have done this, it works well.

I like Cinelli. I've also used Specialized Roubaix. I've double-wrapped my bars too. It worked fine, though the bars get a little fat-feeling. I presently have little gel pads under my tape in strategic spots. It feels pretty good. I've had numb hands issues in the past, so I like a little extra padding.