Hi Chas...I noticed when googling px-10s that Eddy Merckx and Tom Simpson had bar tape wrapped around most of the brake lever bodies of their mafac levers with half hoods. Would seem to make the hoods more practical..as far as durability. I am going to have my tape go around the lever bodies so that the cork tape will add some padding...those half hoods provide no real padding.ps..don't bother suggesting cotton tape...did that and provides zero comfort, but looks great.