Comfortable bar tape
 

My bar tape is starting to wear out and looking for a suitable replacement.

If I remember correctly, I got it at a Specialized store so it was probably a Bontrager brand, nice, nothing special.

Saw some of the new thick lizard skins and thought that would be really comfortable.

Any other comfortable cushiony bar tape I should consider?

Thank you in advance,
Crankster

LOL. That must have been some announcement Trek just made.... :)

Cinelli cork/gel is comfortable for me.

best selection + reasonable shipping/
 

https://www.tradeinn.com/en?products...ndlebar%20tape

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...88e1640967.jpg
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/...9676866/p?tqw=

Like two worlds colliding?

However for the OP, what you feel as comfortable can sometimes just be the way the surface feels on the bar tape. I've had some bar tape that was made to be cushiony, but the slick finish on the surface just felt wrong.

Does your Specialized dealer also sell Treks?

Ok, in all seriousness though, hbar tape preference is just that. Some folks like the thickest, softest, cushioniest tape they can get, some like a firmer, feel. I personally like thin hard tape. I've been going with some corky stuff lately, but I'd be perfectly happy with a cloth electrical tape feel. Oh, and I like my tops round.

I used Super Caz (?) for a while. It was very comfortable, but expensive, hard to wrap well and hard to keep clean. I recently got some Zipp I found on sale. It's not as cushy, but I just put some padding under it. Feels great and is easy to clean. Appears to be super durable.

My go-to for years has been Cinelli or Salsa gel cork. I truly believe they're the same tape except for embossing. At one point, I had a set of each for which the boxes were virtually identical. I have this stuff on several of our household bikes and don't hesitate to buy it if I see it on sale - except when I get the notion to try something different as described above

Lizard Skin is comfortable for me so far.
But I suppose it also matters which thickness variant one goes for.

Lizard Skins is my go-to bar tape and they now have a super thick version 4.8mm I think so very comfortable if you like the softer feel. For important reference I use Zipp Service Course SL-70 Ergo bars for my drop bars on most of my drop bar bikes (or some similar variation with the ergo flat top) and I generally go for the DSP 3.2 tape and it is great. Though I don't always hate a little bar feel. On an old bike I had I used cloth tape and because of the ergo top section it was quite comfortable and it was probably my least comfortable bike.

I liked the Specialized tape if I can get it at a deep discount. The $3 tape I bought from China on ebay a few years ago has been comfortable and durable. I've gotten 2+ years from that tape, about 2400 miles so far.

I use the Lizard Skins 2.5. Plenty of cushion for me, very tacky. It is needing replacement now, about 7 years old and the outer part is wearing at the shifters. I just need to ride more to get more value out of the tape, it isn't cheap. Deciding on a color is the tough part. Stuff is easy to install too.

Thick tape was never comfortable for me, but bar tape is reasonably cheap so get some and give it a try

For a bit more cushion, you could wrap the bars with a section of an old inner tube, then wrap bar tape over that. I've done this on my bikes and it works well (for me).

For even more cushion you could wrap the bars with two layers of bar tape. I did this on a buddy's bike and he loves it - but he has big hands.

Note that either option will increase the volume of the bars, making larger surfaces to grab...so YMMV with these methods.

Good luck.

My new Trek had very thin Bontrager tape, I thru in some Gel pads, makes it more comfortable.​​​​​​,

I ride a lot on crushed stone and gravel. I cut Sunlite bar foam lengthwise and tape it on the top surfaces of the bar tops and drops. Then I wrap the bars with Cinelli cork tape. It's a good combination for the surfaces I ride.

Otto

I put on the thick Lizard Skins a few years ago. Very comfortable- could ride barehanded if I wanted to. I always wear gloves which almost makes it too soft. My new Revolt has some pretty thick bar tape also but not as soft as the skins.