nice thread! heres my .02; tape where its needed its safer and keeps you from slippin when theyre wet and wrapped bars ad cushion and arent as cold- i dont know about you but i dont like the idea of slipping on my bars while im out of the saddle- that and the idea of slammng my chest into the stem freaks me out-i rock cloth tape on top and the beginning of the shoulders- thats where i need it and thats where it goes- i eat these fashion kids white belts and black hair dye included- aesthetics @ the cost of safety is careless-i do like the look and feel of bare bars and am careful to keep my drops as scratch free as possible- the cork idea is awesome. thx!