Bar tape - anything new out there?
06-13-18, 02:45 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Bar tape - anything new out there?
I need to change my bar tape after about 10 years and it's plain old black Cinelli cork. Is there anything new out there? I see "silicone" and "gel" mentioned. What about grip patterns - are they of use? I wrap it myself using the "Park Tools" youtube video.
06-13-18, 03:31 PM
#2
Hear myself getting fat
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Inland Northwest
Posts: 754
Bikes: Sir Velo A Sparrow
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 335 Post(s)
Liked 265 Times
in
134 Posts
I've really liked the "PRO" Shimano dual control tape. Wraps easy, feels good, seem to last decently. Pretty cheap on eBay too.
You can find dozens of tape for right around $20, and wrapping does not take too long why not try out a few and see what you like?
You can find dozens of tape for right around $20, and wrapping does not take too long why not try out a few and see what you like?
06-13-18, 03:36 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I like the Microsoft bar tape that has a built-in HRM like gym machines and records your stress levels as you ride.
06-13-18, 04:36 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 9,948
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1332 Post(s)
Liked 398 Times
in
194 Posts
I bought Supacaz last time because I figured I'd try something new. It was like $40 and totally not worth it. Going back to Cinelli cork next time I re-wrap.
06-13-18, 05:11 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I'm a fan of the Fizik Superlight tape. Not too thick, great feel if you like to ride barehanded.
06-13-18, 07:31 PM
#6
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
Zipp service course tape is the best tape ever! Well I think it is anyways. And at $20..win win
06-13-18, 08:05 PM
#7
member
So I was on a quest to find "the best" bar tape, tried most of it, until I came across Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix tape, here: https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/s-...-tape/p/133556
Never looked back. Great grip, feels good to the touch, no sweat, soft, cleans easily!
Never looked back. Great grip, feels good to the touch, no sweat, soft, cleans easily!
06-13-18, 08:44 PM
#8
Kit doesn't match
Another fan of Fizik Superlight tape, Classic Touch, as they say. It's 2 mm thick, which I prefer to 3 mm, and the white is easy to clean and stays white.
06-13-18, 09:56 PM
#10
Senior Member
I've found that Supacaz is the best I've used, and I've tried a lot of tape. I've also put a lot of people on it and they also love it. It's on the pricey side, but amazing grip, nice a think, and doesn't wear like most of the other tape out there.
06-13-18, 10:05 PM
#11
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,422
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3124 Post(s)
Liked 1,694 Times
in
1,025 Posts
I’m a Lizardskins and Supacaz devotée, with no plans to look elsewhere. Both are excellent “at hand,” with maybe the edge going to SupaCaz, particularly when color is important or re-wrap-ability. Also Supacaz metallics are unrivaled!.
06-13-18, 10:36 PM
#12
Senior Member
Another vote for Supacaz... nice and sticky, nicely padded and stays CLEAN... omg... CLEAN! I had my LBS order it in for me as they normally push Lizardskin (liked the feel...couldn't be kept clean no matter what). They hated wrapping it... too damn bad. After a couple 1000 km of use, it still looks pristine; told them tonight during the store ride that they might as well start stocking some of it (colours to match what they sell) and keep a chart of all the options to order in. I'm sure their mechanics will figure out the wrapping eventually.
06-13-18, 10:46 PM
#13
Senior Member
Used cinelli myself for years, lately have Performance forte Griptec2 and Fabric Knurl on each of my bikes- it’s virtually the same product as far as I can tell except for logos and nicer end plugs for the more expensive Fabric version. I’ll buy whatever one is on sale. Great stuff both-has a nice rubber textured, grippy feel, medium amount of cushion, and holds up well to sweaty hands (on the trainer).
06-13-18, 11:27 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Posts: 3,209
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
20 Posts
I love the Cannondale Synapse bar tape: soft, cushy, grippy. I've read that it feels the same as the Specialized Roubaix tape. $20.
06-14-18, 02:05 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 201
Bikes: FM098-V2, '16 Synapse
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have Cinelli Gel Cork on my rough-n-tumble bike and Syntace Cork on my normal bike. They're quite similar but I find the Syntace to be just that little bit nicer in all respects, except (possibly) when you want a touch more cushioning.
Last edited by ReneV; 06-14-18 at 02:08 AM.
06-14-18, 06:51 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,286
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1096 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
As long as you're not looking for padding or a coarse grip, it's hard to beat Deda "Carbon," which comes in black, white, gold and silver. Looks, feel, durability and ability to stay clean are exceptional, and it's less than $10!
06-14-18, 07:09 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
I like Cinelli’s Mike Giant tape.
It is good Cinelli quality and it has cool graphics straight from the studio of artist Mike Giant.
Mike Giant ? Black Book Gallery
It is good Cinelli quality and it has cool graphics straight from the studio of artist Mike Giant.
Mike Giant ? Black Book Gallery
06-14-18, 08:17 AM
#19
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Those who like Lizard Skin and similar tapes should look at the Zipp Service Course (CX or road). It is much less expensive and not tacky. Padding is equal or superior to anything else.
-Tim-
-Tim-
06-14-18, 08:36 AM
#21
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/shim...handlebar-tape
Great grip in rain or dry and a decent amount of cushion.
06-14-18, 09:03 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WNY
Posts: 3,098
Bikes: Factor O2, Caad10, Caad2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
78 Posts
I love the Shimano PRO tape...just wish it was cheaper locally. Bontrager has a similar product almost as good...But either way $20-30USD for some foam tape is just ridiculous.
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/shim...handlebar-tape
Great grip in rain or dry and a decent amount of cushion.
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/shim...handlebar-tape
Great grip in rain or dry and a decent amount of cushion.
06-14-18, 09:43 AM
#23
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
It's a little cheaper here (and more with 15% coupon too) : https://www.excelsports.com/main.asp...jor=1&minor=32
Awesome. You, sir, are an enabler. Also a gentleman.
06-14-18, 11:10 AM
#24
Senior Member
I recently switched from Cinelli Gel Cork to Zipp Service course CX. So far I really love it. Good feel, tacky but not sticky, and just as cushioning as the cinelli gel cork. A bit more expensive, but worth the premium. The finish holds up better, the cinelli tends to "roughen" and "unravel" a bit after several washings (although this was white tape and I was really scrubbing it).
06-14-18, 12:45 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 781
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 479 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
156 Posts
Tip for you guys with big hands: Double wrap the drops. (this assumes a flat/ergo/aero top section... 'cause that part's already comfortable)
Wrap the bar (from the bottom, of course) in the standard direction, to the hood... Cut and tape the bar tape at the hood. Now, wrap the bar as usual - standard direction - finishing as usual.
Wrap the bar (from the bottom, of course) in the standard direction, to the hood... Cut and tape the bar tape at the hood. Now, wrap the bar as usual - standard direction - finishing as usual.
