I generally pick up 3-4 packages of bar tape at a time when I find them on sale, but am not too particular about brands. I like Cinelli, but have recently been using REI's Novara gel tape. I replace the tape on our touring bikes every year before the start of our tours which amounts to about 3,500 miles per year on those bikes. We put in a lot of long days and fresh tape is nice. The tape on our road bikes will generally last 2-3 seasons. I do not like the adhesive backed tape because the tape is usually destroyed and leaves a sticky mess on the bars if it has to be unwrapped for some reason.