Wear and Tear... bike bar tape
07-21-16, 07:58 PM
#26
Senior Member
07-21-16, 08:01 PM
#27
Senior Member
Wow... thanks everyone for all the resources and suggestions! I admit I was feeling a little lost at first overwhelmed with too many options.
You've given me a lot of choices and good advice (chain and brakes)... definitely have a little learning to do and probalby some trial and error. I'm excited! If only it would stop being 100 degrees and intermittant storming!
You've given me a lot of choices and good advice (chain and brakes)... definitely have a little learning to do and probalby some trial and error. I'm excited! If only it would stop being 100 degrees and intermittant storming!
If you decide on Lizard Skins - get the fattest one, I think 3.5mm, works great on gravel and cross bikes. Not too soft like gel pads to cause fatigue on longer rides, just fat enough and firm enough.
07-21-16, 08:11 PM
#28
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The bar tape on my most-often ridden bike came from China via eBay for $4 including shipping. It is indistinguishable from the Cinelli and Bontrager tape I used in the past, except for the absence of butt-ugly logs stamped into it.
I have a spare roll in stock for when it wears out, which I also bought from a Chinese eBay seller: $1.50 including shipping.
I have a spare roll in stock for when it wears out, which I also bought from a Chinese eBay seller: $1.50 including shipping.
07-21-16, 08:31 PM
#29
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But the disadvantage of wrapping this way is that the tape is wrapped from the top, so the exposed tape edge is on the upper side. Your hands will try to peel that edge back. Wrap from the bar ends and your hands slide down a smooth overlap hence the tape tends to hjold up considerably longer.
Ben
Ben
So, to extend the life of my tape and save money, I use either the extra wrap the tape manufacturer provides or electrical at the stem.
Ben
07-21-16, 08:42 PM
#30
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Those are mostly foam or thick tapes though which you should wrap from the ends to the center. Maybe I used the wrong word, but I meant the really thin unpadded plastic tapes. I'm not talking about slippage. Shellac on cloth tape should pretty much remove the problem as well.
