shinyandfree

I had Brooks bar tape for a while but I kept getting blisters whenever I rode without my gloves. Also there is no padding to speak of and the cheapo cork bar ends break in half the first time you drop your bike on the ground.

Catnap 

i have black brooks tape on my beater bike and it's wonderful, looks great and is comfortable.



i also used the Selle leather bar tape on this build:



...but it didn't break in well and wasn't very comfy. i don't recommend it.

erichsia

what's that stem?

Dylansbob 

FYI, REI has black Brooks leather tape on sale/markdown to $45. Worth it at that price to me.

jeremyb

the Toshi leather bar tape is nice---comes in black and tan too.

MrCjolsen

OK, dumb question. Why can't you just purchase leather from a fabric store and cut it into strips and wrap your bars with it?

Doohickie

I bought a pair of leather pants at a thrift storefor $15. I used one leg to do the handlebars on my bike. I wrapped it over padded synthetic wrap that was worn.

Dinosaur88

i applaud your effort, however the wrap job does not look even at all. Did you have problems wrapping it, or was it hard to cut the strips straight? is it comfy?

spaceboy

Anyone know how well this matches with Brooks honey saddles?

Wallingford says Soma thick n zesty is pretty good:
https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/thickzesty.html

stillanimal

I've been riding on Selle An-atomica leather bartape. Its super comfy and treated to be water proof. Also you can order Fizik Mictotex in antique brown direct from the Fizik website for $30 shipped (seems like no one in the USA stocks it). I got some and its pretty much the same color as Brooks brown leather.

Doohickie

Yeah, I hear ya. The issue is that because of the cut of the pants, I couldn't get strips long enough to go the whole way, so each handlebar side has 3 pieces. It was cut straight enough, but it ran out before I got to the brake lever, and the second piece ran out before I finished in the middle, so there are a couple spots where the tape ended and started again which makes it look thicker in places. So far it seems comfy, but I'm considering re-doing the bars with leather from the other leg. If I sliced each strip wider I could maybe get all the way to the brake lever, or I may try to do sew-ups. I just gotta decide what I want to try next.... if anything. I would also add that the camera is a harsh critic; it looks better in real life in my opinion.

ebawho

I have the black brooks tape, and i really like it and it has lasted for almost 3 years -- through crashes and drops and such. But i got it as a gift, I don't think its really worth the price that they ask for it. the toshi stuff looks pretty good though, and if its comparable/better than the brooks it looks like something to go for.

johnce

Alot og good alternatives here, these are the VO elk hides that you have to sew, i've had these for a long time and they've worn just fine..and they've been wet alot. When I got these they were alittle over 20 bucks, not sure now...

IMG]https://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac295/johncegw/IMG_0009.jpg[/IMG]

johnce

Opps..sorry here's the pic.....

benajah

Ive got Toshi tape on two of my bikes, the tape, not the lace up wrap. I love it, and it lasts a long time and looks better the older and more worn it gets. I would like to try the lace up wrap but don't want to spend the money on it only to screw it up and the money be wasted.

cnnrmccloskey

Just find one, You could get enough to wrap your bars in one leg, comeon

chris902

I know I am digging up an old thread, but has anyone had any experience with the Octto faux leather tape?