So I just bought a new bike and kind of messed up on the handlebar tape. I got it into the shop for a tune and a lady convinced me to try this black stuff with stars on it. I thought it would look super cool but it actually looks really girly and I'm going to get it changed.

My bike is a full matte black, 2001 cannondale R600.

Are there really any major differences in cheap tape vs expensive tape? This stuff was kind of an expensive mistake but I'm contemplating getting cheaper stuff to replace it. I'm thinking either black or blue but leaning towards just a full black set up. Any opinions on tape style/functionality? I'm also wondering if it's really worth it to get a shop to do it or if it's plausible to just buy some online and throw it on myself.

Cheers <3

Major difference is price. Do it yourself, if you can write this post, you can tape. If you pay to get it done and it gets messed up, you get angry, DIY and you learn from the results.
Do you have a kickstand?
gm

No kickstand, nope. I think most shops charge like $15 to put the tape on. Guess I could just buy it and look up tutorials.

Black with stars sounds like it could be SupaKaz (https://supacaz.com/category/bar-tape/) tape. If it is, learn to love it and enjoy it. There is a very definite difference in cheap vs. good tape and if it's SupaKaz, its as good as it gets. I've wrapped my last couple of bikes with it (yes..stars included; its not "girly") and I think its the best stuff out there; sticky, cushy and easy to keep clean.

Edited to add: Check the full range of options for Supakaz... you can get solid colours if you want.

If you are referring to Supacaz, I doubt most cyclists would call it “girly”.... only thing I can think of with stars (6points) on it. Might be a little attention getting in some colors, but a quality product few would look down on. You may have something else, if so please disregard my post.

Better "cheap tape than cheap tires (tyres). Hard to judge tape quality in an objective manner.
gm

Yes this is the stuff. I love the feel but I am not sure if the look will grow on me. I really wish I got the full black cause it cost $60 for the wrap. It does seem girly but maybe I should give it some time...

Now I want that oil slick tape.

Sorry to say it, but it DOES look girly! It is indeed quality stuff though!

"Girly"??? No way, that tape is the business! Thanks for sharing it, I had no idea I could get "prizmatik" bar tape. WOW that stuff is HOT. That's the coolest bar tape I've ever seen... time for a rethink, as I was gonna go back with white for my yellow & blue Colnago... but now, that "Prizmatik Hologram" is awesome, or blue, or platinum, or oil slick... and I've got a Bianchi that the Prizmatik Pink would definitely suit (and it would match my fluro-pink helmet).

Try the Prizmatik pink, with streamers. Probably a better match.

Double wrap for comfort add another layer of tape, plain black, this time..

Double wrap??

I'm getting plain black put on but I've never heard of a double wrap. The guy said I can probably salvage the Supacaz stuff to re-use on another bike so I'll probably try to sell that. I would imagine a double wrap would give you super thick handle bars haha.

I did this on my bike with trekking bars and have done it for customers like the Race TransAmerica contestants.

Old on the bottom new on the top..


There are Under-tape Gel pouch/patches you can add too... Fizik is one,,

That Oil Slick would look awesome on your new bike. I wonder if the slick shiny look would last.


-Kedosto

Ugh. I know. But I already got leather tape. Maybe for next year’s revision.

There is a definite difference between cheap and expensive tape.
Check the is a definite difference between cheap and medium priced tape.

I spend under $25 for my tape, but various $20 rolls are seriously better than $3to9 rolls.

I’m partial to ESI’s silicone RST tape. No adhesive, as the silicone binds to itself, and I also double wrap the top bar with old tape as the base layer. Not cheap in cost or quality, but worth it to me. I think Park Tool’s video of how to wrap is the best and easy to follow along.

Girly? What exactly qualifies something that has no gender as gendered? Also why does a gender binary matter in any case? Gender is a silly construct to make people different for no real reason. People are people and they should be who they want to be and not be forced into silly binaries for no reason.

As far as tape is concerned, I have heard great things about Supercaz, the tape you were using. My favorite tape is going to be the Lizard Skins 3.2 DSP. I like the cushioning it provides and the fantastic grip. I also use Fizik tape (though they have changed their line up so I don't remember which version I typically use) as it also has a good cushioning and comes out a bit cheaper but I don't like the feel quite as much as I do with LS. I don't like cheap tape as it wears out quickly or just doesn't feel good or look all that great. However some cheaper tape is better than others but if you already have Supercaz I would give that a try. Again remembering that bartape does not have a gender and also that gender really doesn't matter.

Just going to add an endorsement for a tape I doubt is getting the exposure it deserves...DOMAIN cycling. (www.DomainCycling.com). It’s a lot like Eclypse in texture and durability. Some color choices, but the length is what’s really neat. Flat top bars with gel pads? No problem. Lots of overlap for cushion and/or aesthetics? Here’s your tape ! Also available on EBay. I Love this stuff.

so what if it looks "girly" ? why does it matter ? and how would it feel if it didn't really matter ? wouldn't that be worth trying ? cycling is a nice place to stop worrying about things that don't matter

I went to that site just out of curiosity and the first thing I saw was "AS SEEN ON T.V." and then I saw those awful seat pads that move around and give you no support. It seems like they have plenty of exposure in fact too much because it doesn't look like their product is particularly that great probably just rebranded crap from Alibaba or somewhere in China. I have never had issue with running out of tape, I usually have some extra. Then again maybe on these new Crust Towel Racks I might need more tape but not enough to want to buy this stuff.

I totally agree with you. The majority of the stuff does look like, (probably is), some major, useless junky-pathetic, horrible crap. The tape packaging itself is not great. The tape, however, is great stuff. I’ve got it on my Madone, Merlin, and my best Bianchi.