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What bar tape to get?

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Old 07-04-21 | 07:47 PM
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What bar tape to get?

I own a Cervelo S Series bike which currently has the standard Cervelo bar tape on it and I am not a fan. I am currently living in Houston Texas so its hot and humid so I am really struggling with a slipping grip when riding on the back of the hoods(ramps) in chill mode. I don't have tape on the tops and happy with that and don't slip there. I don't wear loves and don't think I ever will.

I have narrowed it down to -

SupaCaz Super Sticky Kush Classic
Lizard Skins DSP V2
Enve Tape
Most Superlight 3mm tape

I am leaning towards the Most tape but it seems to have the least reviews. Any thoughts or recommendations from anyone here?
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Old 07-04-21 | 08:39 PM
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I'm a non-glove person and I'm a fan of Bontrager GrippyTack.
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Old 07-04-21 | 09:03 PM
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I hate anything that feels tacky but my bar tape needs replacing and it's summer. Glad someone had the excellent timing to ask right when I needed to know. 🙂
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Old 07-04-21 | 09:18 PM
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The Lizard Skins DSP tape is great up right until the tape falls apart, which in my experience is about 2 months. I like Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky for its durability, thickness is about perfect, and the tackiness is about perfect for riding without gloves, but it is really pricey and it seems to be out-of-stock everywhere this year. I want to try some of the Jagwire Pro Bar Tape as it looks like the now discontinued Fizik Endurance tacky tape that I loved, but I haven't been able to get some yet.
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Old 07-04-21 | 09:49 PM
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Ya can go 10 Yards or 10 Feet. When wrapping over old bar tape I use...

Franklin Sports Black Bat Tape - 10 Yards

12 USD
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Old 07-04-21 | 10:49 PM
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I like the Supacaz, I now have it on both my bikes. The Lizard Skins only lasted about 3 months before it started to peel and fray, which is odd because I’ve never had that happen before with any bar tape. The Supacaz comes in a ton of colors and is forgiving enough that even a novice like myself could wrap it.
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Old 07-04-21 | 10:59 PM
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I like Arundel Synth Gecko for the utilitarian aspects. It's grippy without feeling sticky. It doesn't need adhesive, so it can be removed, washed and rewrapped indefinitely, as long as it's not cut (it is somewhat vulnerable to cutting when wrapped around brake/shifter mechanisms, and from bar end plugs). But it looks kinda meaty, like sausages, and comes only in cartoon colors, so it's not everyone's cuppa tea. I like it as my trial bar wrap when I'm setting up a bike. After I'm satisfied with the setup I'll switch to another bar wrap and save the Synth Gecko for the next project.

I also have some Arundel Rubber Gecko, which has a shallow diamond/file pattern and feels as grippy as Synth Gecko, but looks more subdued. And it uses the familiar adhesive backing. And some other Arundel wraps. Haven't tried 'em yet, but will soon after I finish tweaking the setup on a couple of bikes.

Disclaimer: Arundel is a hometown business here in Fort Worth so I buy their stuff when it suits me. I have no other connection with them and don't even personally know any of those folks. But it's commonly available in our LBSs.
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Old 07-05-21 | 02:17 AM
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Originally Posted by RGMN
I like Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky for its durability, thickness is about perfect, and the tackiness is about perfect for riding without gloves, but it is really pricey.
.

I find this a pita to wrap. At least the 2.7 mm is. It was also a bit short for my 440 bars. It does feel quite nice though.
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Old 07-05-21 | 06:44 AM
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Anyone try Burgh tape?
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Old 07-05-21 | 08:56 AM
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The Fabric Hex tape is very good, though now hard to find (especially in all black). I think but not positive, that their Knurl tape is the same stuff with a slightly different texture.
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Old 07-05-21 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by scottydonald
I own a Cervelo S Series bike which currently has the standard Cervelo bar tape on it and I am not a fan. I am currently living in Houston Texas so its hot and humid so I am really struggling with a slipping grip when riding on the back of the hoods(ramps) in chill mode. I don't have tape on the tops and happy with that and don't slip there. I don't wear loves and don't think I ever will.

I have narrowed it down to -

SupaCaz Super Sticky Kush Classic
Lizard Skins DSP V2
Enve Tape
Most Superlight 3mm tape

I am leaning towards the Most tape but it seems to have the least reviews. Any thoughts or recommendations from anyone here?
If the tape is non-absorbent, it needs either raised texture to provide draining and prevent filming, or it needs that grippy, rubber-like surface feel. Lizardskins DSP has both, and is the best wet performer I’ve used. However, I’d not recommend it in white, nor would I recommend it for heavy use; I was pretty much getting a summer and spring out of them before changing them out, and that was in a multi-bike rotation, so folks doing a lot of time on one bike would see even less, no doubt.

I still use DSP on my winter/ spring rig— so always gloved— because it’s very plush and cozy, great for cold weather, but moved to Supacaz Bling tape and Ciclovation Halo, both of which are textured and non-tacky, for the other bikes, which are usually used gloved but occasionally bare-handed. I can recommend both, but especially Supacaz, which I’ve used for many miles, in all weather, and have not one complaint with. The Ciclovation only went on this year, but so far, so good, and moving around on it in the rain last week felt sure and comfidence inspiring, but I was open-finger gloved.
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Old 07-05-21 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
The Fabric Hex tape is very good, though now hard to find (especially in all black). I think but not positive, that their Knurl tape is the same stuff with a slightly different texture.
I have had great experience with Fabric Knurl or this slightly cheaper alternative (which is currently on my bike):

Amazon.com : Profile Designs Drive Tape, Electric Blue : Sports & Outdoors
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Old 07-05-21 | 06:46 PM
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thank you everyone for the replies. seems tape is very individual and lots of companies making it I have never heard of.

I have found the Fizik tape in numerous places and it seems to now be on the list now from recommendations but one mentioning wrapping it is not the easiest.

I am leaning towards the SupaCaz but I find it strange there is no reviews from here online about the Most tape since it comes on a Pinarello.
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Old 07-06-21 | 09:23 AM
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I've been very happy with my SupaCaz Super Sticky Kush tape. I'd heard good things about them and decided to go for it as they had a black/gold combo that went well with my BMC's colors. It was easy to wrap on my Aerofly handlebars and has been comfortable so far both with and without gloves.
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Old 07-06-21 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
I'm a non-glove person and I'm a fan of Bontrager GrippyTack.

Yep, this is wonderful stuff.
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