Just removed some white Cinelli bar tape. Took me at least an hour as it ripped apart and stuck to the HB. And, it didin't really last that long, 2 years or 5K miles.

Another +1 on leather bar tape: Back in the days before $2 China tape, I bought Brooks Cordovan. It faded some over the years, but still looks good & has been on 2 different bikes now. Also saved the left over scraps for years, and have now used them on 2 other bikes. I use a bottle of liquid saddle soap that has a glycerine additive to clean & renew along with a jar of leather (horse)saddle treatment. Got them at a tack shop.

I sometimes used amber shellac on cork tape with success, takes 2-4 coats though. Preserves tape + easier to clean. Once bought a bunch of pink cork tape for cheap & discovered it becomes an attractive dark red when beneath amber shellac. Clear shellac is available which darkens, but doesn't change original color. Don

On the subject of cost: I've always been a cheapskate, looking for the most bang for $$, but was too proud for haggling/negotiating until I reached middle age. Don't be that way, everything is negotiable. Always ask if they can do better on price. Buy the best, but pay less.

When Brooks leather 1st came out, LBS wanted $55 but wasn't getting any takers. I got mine for $35. Should have bought 2 sets though. Don

the "gel" foam tape I have used, the gel is more a reusable non slip tacky strip, on the back side,
in place of actual adhesive.. so will not gap on that upper curve..

Well, I looked. The cheapest leather tape on ebay is now $50. You can get Brooks in brown from Amazon for $46 at the moment. It's still a good value.

looked at that link and saw this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XS4FG3F...8d727e07b&th=1 whiich is interesting

right now i have lizard skin bar tape, which is super comfy, but wears really fast, maybe a 1000 miles and look ratty (not helped by by the gorilla tape wrap to the section that got hosed up in a fall last december)

I usually buy NOS stuff from the seventies and eighties whenever I come across it. Generally cheap - $5 on average - and period-correct for many of my bikes. I find that most modern tapes just look too modern on a forty-year old bike.

The notable exception was this stuff. I'd bought a pack for one of mrs non-fixie's bikes, and was so impressed with it that I got another for myself to try out. It's currently on my Bontekoe-Alan. It's a faux suede-like (not a pleonasm - they call it "velour") material that feels quite nice, and looks rather plush, IMO. The jury's still out on its durability and re-wrapping qualities, but I'm fairly optimistic. (BTW, I have no business interest in the stuff. I get it at Bikester for €12. Available in black as well, I just noticed)

I wrapped it top-to-bottom, just to see if that would hold up, as I couldn't imagine finishing tape looking good with this stuff. And yes, I need to find lever hoods that fit better.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c93d674be.jpg

I'd rather not reuse tape ... I have tried it, sometimes there's residue from the sticky side if you don't wrap it exactly as before (not a problem if no sticky stuff), and it just didn't looks as nice.

Speaking of Brooks, I love this Cambium Rubber tape ... it seems to be lasting quite nicely, though honestly I haven't had it long -- it's really nice and kind of plushy.

I bought the normal Cambium tape by mistake because the picture the seller used looked very similar, but it wasn't rubbery, so I returned it.


https://www.amazon.com/Brooks-Englan...rubber+cambium

Sorry thought I posted the link to Niagara Cycle for those looking for really cheap (read inexpensive tape) at $2.49 each. I ordered a few rolls to see what $2.49 gets quickly in the USA versus China and a three week wait. I expect it's more for flipping or for when a friend needs a quick repair and maybe the cheap Chinese tape will be better quality but can only wait to see.

https://www.niagaracycle.com/categor...nd-plugs-black

Sunlite Handlebar Tape and Plugs (Plastic), Black

https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2...0.1280.jpg?c=2

Back in the 1970s-'80s I veered between thin cosmetic bar tape and that thick foam pipe insulation sold as handlebar padding, before settling on some rubbery stuff that was bright stinkin' yellow and otherwise nearly perfect. No adhesive. It was pliable and tough -- felt about like insulated grips used on some hand tools -- and remained wrapped without excessive stretching. I even reused it after some crashes that scuffed it up. Cleaned up using pretty much the same stuff I used to clean my car -- including Armor All. As I recall it was mid-priced, cheaper than leather.

I recall seeing it's still available somewhere but can't find the bookmark at the moment. Not sure if it comes in colors other than hi-vis yellow.

Clement red was sort or reusable. A warm day would usually remelt old glue enough to fasten a tire. Wish I would have bought a bigger stash BITD.

Has anyone seen or used this? Opinions? I can't decide if I think it looks cool, or hipster-tacky.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...pg?format=750w

It is a bit much, but I've seen much more pretentious things. I kind of like it.

I think my grandmother would have liked that. :)

I don't think of it as "reusable" but you can unwrap and rewrap old-school cloth tape many times. (Until it gets so thin and worn that it rips.)

My frugality shows as here as I like 2 layers of tape for comfort reasons. So I hang up to worn outer layers to use as the inner layer for the next wrap. Means I can wear through the first wrap and not see bare bar. (The first layer need not be either continuous or even from the same rolls.)

Another place cloth tape rules is when setting up a "new" bike. Wrap with cloth and you can partially unwrap the tape and move the brake levers as many times as you need to get the bike dialed in.

Ben

I am the consummate frugal cheapskate when it comes to bar tape. Have not bought bar tape in 20 years, I just keep on reusing the old stuff, even Cinelli with the adhesive backing can be peeled and reused. My display bikes all have used tape on them as my regular rider. Sometimes it just feels good to be cheap.

[MENTION=392125]79pmooney[/MENTION], I've tried and not been able to reuse cloth tape. It rips when I lift it.

Not really C&V, but my new favorite is Supacaz. It is expensive but can be found on ebay for way cheaper. I won't pay more than $25 -which is still a lot but it can be re-applied somewhat justifying the cost. It is very easy to install.

Also, they come with very cool aluminum bar plugs.

It is the best feeling tape I've ever used.... :thumb:

Not crazy about the wild colors, but their black, white, gun metal and brown look good to me.

Tried to post this earlier but computer acted up so if there is a double entry just ignore it.

Earlier I posted a link for very inexpensive bar tape. You will have to decide if it the correct word is inexpensive or cheap..........
https://www.niagaracycle.com/categor...nd-plugs-black

I expect it's more for flippers or for use on less expensive bikes. Fellow at the store said it held up surprisingly well but I may try it as padding and put Chinese tape over top.
Note: The tape doesn't compress well when you try to push in caps so I had to trim it.



https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e64c7f20a.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...31fcbc7c75.jpg

I'm with you. I think I have 3 layers of Tressostar tape on my Sparrow this summer :)

And yeah, for a couple weeks or so one can still unwrap to the levers for adjustment, tho I usually set them as I always do from the start. I rarely have to mess with my position at this point in my life.

DD

Last night I took a 1/2-mile ride without my gloves on. I almost always ride with gloves for safety more than for comfort, as I'm concerned about scraping my hands in a crash. I found my leather handlebar tape was more comfortable without gloves than with gloves. "So there's that."

That's interesting, and makes a certain amount of sense. I used to never wear gloves (except for racing). Mostly because I just never felt the old school crochet type were comfortable. I still prefer bare cotton tape for no gloves bare hands riding, but leather sounds like a good option. It's on my bucket list.

Nowadays I mostly wear gloves to wipe sweat out of my eyes, to be honest.

[MENTION=424205]Salamandrine[/MENTION], make a google alert for "brooks leather handlebar tape" so you can find a sale.