stapfam

Time to think about bar tape on the TCR. Up till now it has had the OM tape on and it has been fine but the Pinarrelo had some superb tape supplied when I got it. Thicker than most but the wrong colour (White) but I thought I would use it as there must be a reason for thick tape being supplied. Don't know if there was a reason but it has proved to be very comfortable. No idea what it is made of either But the colour is completely wrong for me.

So now comes the awkward bit. What tape do I buy for the TCR? Reason for replacing is that I have swapped the aluminium bars for C.F.--for no other reason than they came up at the right price and are compact bars. Bar position is now set and just final adjustment of the brifters and I will have to learn how to wrap bars.

So what tape do you use? Do I have to look out for special materials? Or a particular brand? or just buy the cheapest and fit it?

Let battle commence with your suggestions


Only point is it has to be black so those special offers in white or pearlescant green will not be welcome.

gcottay

Soma Thick and Zesty comes in black and offers your choice of textures.

Biker395 

Seriously ... this is a controversial topic?

leob1

Your new here, aren't you?

Rick@OCRR

What Vic?

You were thinking it would be gun control or Global Warming or what (if anything) should we do about Syria?

I use black Planet Bike tape, but it might not be available in the U.K. since Planet Bike is a Wisconsin company.

Rick / OCRR

droy45

I used the Nashbar deluxe black tape for my Rawleigh Grand Prix and I find it nice and smooth and quite rugged.

leob1

Seems like a trip to the LBS, or two, is in order to see what they have, and the different thicknesses they have. Cork or synthetic cork, adhesive backed or no adhesive? Thick or thin? This is one of those touchy-feely things until you find what you like. As for the color(or lack thereof), you can get plain black or black and white.
All of the above are subjective, personal choices, so good luck.
As for wrapping the tape, plan on doing the first side more than once. Going around the brakes is the tricky part.
BTW, my wifes bike came with white tape, after two seasons it was still fine as far as wear went, but had become quite dingy. I came home one day, she handed me the box of new tape and said "Change it".

jdon

Lizard Skins 2.5mm

fietsbob

TCR? [insert your ackronym here for that one ]

Im one to use the foam plastic whatever tape , and wrap a new layer over the older one , for double thickness .. ITM Trekking Bars..
upper half of touring drop bar setup.

The long gone 'off the Front' grip shapes were lumps you could put under your tape job
to widen and flatten the hand placements..
you'd be 20 years too late on those.. *

Tried Marsas pads , end up half the cusion is gone in the act of taping over them.

The Gel pillow pads may be better , havent tried them..

shellacked cotton and Leather boutique wraps are for other people ..

*As a wood worker I can imagine a casual replica..
gouge out the desired shape in a block of wood,
pour in a wax coating as mold release,
then pour in Plastidip, the tool handle stuff, and let it cure..

pluck it out and do it again..

mapeiboy

=
+1 on Lizard skins . May I suggest in colour pink >

icyclist 

I have four road bikes. One of my bikes has Specialized Bar Phat tape; its extremely comfortable.

terrymorse 

If you want some comfort but still retain that racy look, Fizik Performance.

Otherwise, Cinelli Gel Cork. Thicker, so the bar diameter will be larger.

PeregrineA1 

Cinelli Cork here.

overthehillmedi

What's wrong with the au natural look? That way you wouldn't have all these decisions to make.

Dudelsack 

No tape at all. Spray paint the handlebars black.

Bikey Mikey

Thanks for posting your experience with Phat Tape. The LBS showed that to me and I wondered about getting it.

Cyril 

Another vote for lizard skins 2.5 mm.
Or Brooks leather bar tape.

oldbobcat

Decided I don't care for thick cushy tape on my main ride, so I'm using the thin Fizik stuff. It's very durable and it comes in grey--almost white but doesn't show the dirt.

For cushy tape I thing nothing beats Lizardskins. It's very durable, just stretchy enough to be easy to apply, and comes with very nice matching finishing tapes that stick until you peal them off. It comes in two thicknesses and patterns. They're both good.

The cool thing about bar tape is if you get bored you can change it for a cheap and easy upgrade that will help you get out the door again.

jon c. 

I like the Deda Elementi myself.

Mobile 155

You can easily see how to wrap the bars with a quick google search and even a Youtube demonstration. I have some Trek double gel bar tape on that I happen to like. Why you might ask, because it comes off easier than many of the other tapes I have tried. Giant Tape has been the worst, it looks good but comes off like wall paper. Cork works well but I also like Lizard Skins. But then I change my tape once or twice a year. Red gets dirty almost as fast as white so if the bike looks ok with black then black it gets.

Biker395 

Be gentle with me.

Velo Dog

This, or just go do it. It takes a litle practice to get it smooth, but really stupid people wrap bars. If you screw it up, peel it off and start over.

Mobile 155

Be of good cheer. One of my first few posts was in a thread about bicycle saddles. There is no right answer.

maddmaxx 

I used to use a tape that I can no longer find. It had a row of stitching down the middle with holes on either side of the stitching and could be characterized mostly by being just like the tape we used to use on tennis rackets. It was comfortable and did not get slippery when wet.

Having said that.................save the trouble and pay a pro to wrap your bars. Your sanity is worth a great deal.

Artmo 

And to add more controversy, which way should he wind it; starting at the top or at the bottom of the bar?