I was able to ride this weekend but, the soft cast on my lower arm destroyed the bar tape on my bike. So, I am in the market for quality and comfortable bar tape and would like recommendations.

White

So many choices. Adhesive or not. Padded or not. Cork or not. Inexpensive or not. Color or not.

Then there's the other problem. Some of my favorite tapes are no longer made.

I just converted to a flat bar to be rid of the problem.

I've got some Brooks leather handlebar tape I got for a song.

One of these days, I'm gonna get a shop to put it on for me ... too much of a PITA to do it myself.

I've got the Brooks leather bar tape and I really like it but its kinda pricey. I think it was $70 or so.

Charlie

This stuff was on sale at ... wait for it ... Nordstrom! It was about $20 or so and I couldn't resist. Would you believe they had Brooks saddles on sale as well?

Wow that's a find !

Insofar as old style retro Cinelli Giro D Italia road bars are concerned a guy gave me a 40cm one just made for leather (which I've never used) and it has little creases under the dropouts that are supposed to be just for leather wrap. I don't know whether that's actually necessary for using leather wrap or not. ?

I've always liked the padded Bike Ribbon when I don't use cotton wrap. Kind of old school though.

https://www.google.com/#q=bike+ribbon+bar+tape

I've stocked a lot of similar tape from Performance but don't see it around anymore. Never tried the cork stuff yet.

If you still have the cast, I would use electrical tape over the existing tape, until you get the cast off. I tend to use cheaper tape like this stuff, because when it starts looking ratty, I just pull it off and replace it....

I use this stuff because it's padded and it's not expensive, and so far it's held up well. It doesn't have a smooth surface, so if you go with the white like I did, it is a bit tough to keep clean.

Forté Grip-Tec Handlebar Tape - Handlebar Tape

Comfort ? Fizik, get the under-tape gel pad set too . ? BAR:KIT - Microtex and gel bar tapes and gel pads by Fizik: shock absorbing in superlight black Microtex

+1. No sense in throwing your money away.

Lizard skin bar tape.

Take a look at Bontrager tape, carried at shops that specialize in trek. Nice padding and comfort /durability. Been using for years.

This. In white.

I have Fizik on my old bike and like it. On my new bike I am thinking of leaving the existing tape intact (it is good tape but too thin for my preference when on the tops). I would then add some padding and tape over the tops to build up the tops grip area up to the degree and angle I like. has anyone tried this or would you recommend that I just strip the whole thing and start over?

Fizik Bar Kit comes with black tape , the under tape pads are available separately .. .. .. for the white tape fans ..

I just replaced the OE bar tape on mine so I could add the Fizik pads, I went with Specialized S-Wrap, really nice tape was approx. $16 at the LBS. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb...ap-velvet-tape

As you wish.

I like run-of-the-mill EVA foam bar tape. I find it to be not too thick, good grip when wet/sweaty, reasonably durable, easy to apply and usually pretty cheap. I use Williams at $10. They have white but with the porous surface I doubt it will stay white long or be acceptably cleanable.

Black. It never gets dirty.

Since you're asking my advice is, for now, to pick any kind of handlebar wrap based upon whatever criteria you think significant. A year from now post us again and tell us what you have, and what you like and hate about it.

Mango. Always.

I know. We had a white kitchen floor and it was always dirty. Went darker and now we never have to clean. That white is a dirt magnet. It's a miracle!

Or duct.

But dirty white bar tape is the branding of a serious rider.