Touring - Brooks Leather Handlebar Tape

I would love to ride Brooks with leather tape but does the brooks tape just become a sponge if it starts raining... If so I would not be interested, leather just has some graet natural properties, when it is dry that is.

It's better in the rain than cork, especially for people like me who don't much like gloves.

I would love to ride Brooks with leather tape but does the brooks tape just become a sponge if it starts raining... If so I would not be interested, leather just has some graet natural properties, when it is dry that is.

No, it's not spongy at all. I've got it on my touring bike and am extremely pleased with the durability and comfort.

Mine has gotten discolored from sweat, but obviously that doesn't impair the functionality.

Excellent thanks for the feedback

Are there any cheaper option out there for those who want leather?

Mine is 4 months old, showing considerable discoloring where my hands go, but I think that gives it character. What I don't like is that on the outside of the bend, under the brake levers, the edges are peeling up, and it makes me fiddle it with my fingers when I am riding, probably making it worse.
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad316/Giantbikeforsale/2010-08-02_15-20-57_127.jpg
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad316/Giantbikeforsale/2010-07-31_13-24-56_476.jpg

Velo Orange sells their own brand of leather h'bar tape. They have some neat stuff on their site. Worth a look if you haven't seen it.

http://www.velo-orange.com/volebartape.html

Are there any cheaper option out there for those who want leather?

Check out the pricing on the Cinelli leather tape, and the Brooks doesn't seem so expensive.:twitchy:

I'm using RavX design's Leatherwrap. It was $25.00US at my LBS, installed.

I'm using RavX design's Leatherwrap. It was $25.00US at my LBS, installed.


Yes I just found this http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?ID=80312-Rav+X+Leather+Handlebar+Tape

however chain reaction cycles has a much better price than US stores for the brooks tape at $49

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28016

It's better in the rain than cork, especially for people like me who don't much like gloves.

Interesting that you say that I would have said exactly the opposite, but I have never tried the Brooks tape. The leather tape I did try way back in the day was slippery when wet. I find cork fine wet or dry with or without gloves.

I'm using RavX design's Leatherwrap. It was $25.00US at my LBS, installed.

FYI, the RavX doesn't last for crap. On two different bikes I have worn through it on the tops of the bars, where my hands rest when riding on the hoods, in about 3 months.

Interesting that you say that I would have said exactly the opposite, but I have never tried the Brooks tape. The leather tape I did try way back in the day was slippery when wet. I find cork fine wet or dry with or without gloves.

I normally use gloves on my road bike, which is the only bike I have with cork tape. A couple of weeks ago I took a ride without gloves and it seemed to get slicker than cow slobber once the sweat started flowing. Leather tape seems tackier when wet.

I'd go with Toshi leather wrap over Brooks.

But that said, I dont like leather tape -- too thick, squishy, schlong-like.

I just bought some Elkhide leather wrap from Velo-Orange for one of my bikes. Because it has bullhorns, I was able to use the shorter "city" tape that only costs $18. It has to be sewn onto the handlebars, so I haven't gotten around to installing it. The color is supposed to match the Brooks honey saddles when broken in. They recommend treating it with Proofide or similar product to protect from water and sweat.

http://www.velo-orange.com/elsecibigr.html

I normally use gloves on my road bike, which is the only bike I have with cork tape. A couple of weeks ago I took a ride without gloves and it seemed to get slicker than cow slobber once the sweat started flowing. Leather tape seems tackier when wet.

+1...

I have cork on nearly all my road bikes, and it becomes a skating rink for me in heavy rain. The leather tape on my Raleigh Team is ALWAYS grippy. The ONLY reason I haven't put leather on every bike I own is the cost.

One interesting thing to consider on cost (I'm trying to rationalize buying 7 sets of Brooks bar wrap to myself)...while the cork might be FAR cheaper in the short term, leather can be reused...and it will last FAR longer. In the long term, it might be cheaper.

Four thumbs up!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4019945996_122118d220_o.jpg

Four thumbs up!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4019945996_122118d220_o.jpg

2 more thumbs up from me, that is a beauty.




My biggest worry about the tape being wet is when I am nearing the end of the season, you can go out and be in drizzle at the beginning of the day and an hour late it can be frozen so the tape can become slick ice, leather however has natural properties that minimize this and worst case scenario I know where I can get weight lighting gloves where the palm are so tacky and soft that I would have plenty of grip, if I bought them in the largest size I could wear a liner glove under them.

i found brooks tape at REI for 28$

the VO sew on stuff that i bought (two sets) was rubbish! I had to throw it away after a year... that was disappointing. granted it was 3 years ago now, so maybe the leather they use is better... the stuff I got lost dye, and lost fibers.

I buy the brooks leather from sjs, and its about half price compatred to bike shops in the US....