Symox

I bought and installed some Profile Designs handlebar tape without adhesive. Took me a few tries but I think I can do it correctly now. The tape feels fine and is good quality.

My concern even after wrapping tightly from the inside out (starting at the bottom of the bars) is that I get slight shifting when in the drops.

The previous tape had adhesive and didn't move even with a gel insert underneath (I left this gel for the drops only so I am not sure if this is the reason for the shifting - it doesn't do this on the tops.

Would I be better off with an adhesive lined tape or should I remove the gel inserts and try again?

Also, what do you recommend? I don't need anything really high end like lizard skins but would like it to last, not move and be washable.

I've searched on forums and see that Deda is recommended as is the "gel" type tapes.

Thanks again for the help

Symox

Looks like it was the gel inserts. I removed them and its stable now. I suspect if I had adhesive lined wrap it would have been ok with the gel. Good to know.

Profile Design wrap is quite good btw. Don't know how long it will last but so far so good.

My previous wrap, Specialized Bar Phat lasted 13 years! Would have gotten that if Amazon had carried it.

chaadster

Wow, 13 years is longer than I’d expect bar tape to last. Hopefully your new stuff lasts as long, too.

SoSmellyAir

I second the Profile Designs Drive tape sold by Amazon.com. It is comparable to Fabric Knurl, which is more expensive (and only sold by third party sellers). Profile Designs Drive has slightly better grip. Fabric Knurl has slightly better cushioning, maybe because it is adhesive lined so I did not have to stretch it as much during installation.

sced

You could just unwrap what you got, wrap some double-sided "scotch" tape where you think you need it, and then re-wrap with your existing tape.

fwiw I buy the $2-$3 dollar tape on Ebay which comes in a lot of colors, wraps easily, stays tight, and holds up well.

mstateglfr 

Bar tape is like gloves or socks- wash it every now and again and change it here and there perhaps? Bars can corrode from sweat that gets thru the tape too, so the internet says.

Symox

I find that having gel in my gloves it’s good enough. No need to also have it in the bar tape. Ymmv

veganbikes

Lizard Skins 3.2 DSP is my favorite and 13 years is WAY TOO LONG for bar tape. You should take it off regularly (at least every 2-3 years depending on your usage) and you would need to, so you can replace cables and housing (which also are wear items and should be replaced with some regularity). The reason to remove the tape is to check your handlebars for corrosion. You could have a ticking time bomb underneath and wouldn't know it but that bar tape is soaking up your corrosive sweat and holding onto it quite nicely to attack the typically aluminum bars underneath.

Andy Somnifac 

I'm a fan of the Supacaz Super Sticky Kush bar tape. Comfortable and grippy.

Symox

that looks amazing

Andy Somnifac 

It'd better for the price. Looks great, feels great, not priced great.

But I don't replace my tape every month, so it's worth it.

WhyFi

I'm a big fan of Bontrager Grippytack - great feel and it looks nice with the peek-through color. Installation can take a bit more work and care, you need to give it a good stretch to make sure it lays flat as you go around the curves, but I think that it's worth the trouble and expense.

Fox Farm

Lizard Skin

Sojodave

https://www.ciclovation.com/pro.php?m=l&f=78&cid=78

Sy Reene

Good to hear; recently got delivery of the same but will be a while til install; went with the oil slick version:

Greatestalltime

Any of the tacky ones: Lizard, Kaz, Fizik

They're superior IMO.

robbyville

Or you can go full on leather by Busyman Busyman Bicycles

Custom patterns and colors, mine is going on three years now

Hiro11

I've been using 3MM Fizik Tempo Microtex Bondcush Classic for a while now. Fizik offers a ton of different, confusingly named tapes but this one is my favorite:
- perforated glossy leather-like appearance that looks good on any of my bikes
- very, very durable finish, basically looks new until you get sick of it / want to check your bars
- doesn't absorb sweat or rain
- grippy
- easy to wrap tightly
- available in a ton of different colors

Andy Somnifac 

Maybe I'll go with one of the oil slick/reflecty versions when it's time to replace mine. It'd probably look good on my Ti frame.

primov8 

I went with their Aurora purple tape on the Lynskey. It feels so much better, not as slippery and easier to wrap than the Supacaz bling tapes I've had before (oil slick and prizmatik).

Ciclovation Aurora Purple

Supacaz Prizmatik

Supacaz Oil Slick

scott967

Like the feel of the lizard skin but doesn't wear well for the price, so switched to fizik.

scott s.
.

jaxgtr

2nd the grippytack. I used Lizardskin for a long time, but tried this on my Domane and really liked it. My Emonda was needing some new tape and I put some on it as well.

Symox

my lbs had this on a bike. Looks fantastic but I prefer the feel of the synthetic cork from Profile designs. Went for a night ride and it felt great - grip, cushion and control. I’m sold.

https://profile-design.com/collectio...ducts/bar-wrap

Greatestalltime

I just put on some Selle tape that was 17$ marked down from 40+$ on competitive cyclist.

It’s pretty close to the feel of lizard skin. Not quite as tacky, but very close.

Racing Dan

Does anyone skimp and only replace the top portion of the bar tape?