mcavana

I seem to destroy bar tape in no time at all. No matter what i do after a couple hundred miles it moves. it moves to the point where you can see 1/2 inch strips of the actual handle bar. I have only tried plain old cork tape. Is there something else i should try?

I have developed tennis elbow, and it is taking FOREVER to heal. My dr thought that gel bar tape might help to protect my elbow... that and a tennis elbow strap.

keeping all this in mind, is there a kind or brand of bar tape that you recomend i try out???


thanks,

Mike

Serpico

has anyone tried the Fizik Microtex (without the gel)?

the Brooks tape I'm using right now is nice, but it's a bit too thick for me

larue

My wife had the specialized bar tape with gel stuff and it unraveled after two weeks of riding.
Right now she is using the Bontrager stuff which seems nice and I'll be putting some of the above mentioned Fizik tape on my bike when I decide which new bars to get.

Hambone

I would bet the unravelling is more about the quality of your wraps than the material. (I personally like the Nashbar tape a lot and several/many other BF posters have said same.)

I think the gel stuff is more about the ulnar nerve and dead hand issue than the tennis elbow. That is probably best addressed through bike setup and ride habits. The setup- make sure your handlebars are not too far away (resulting in you reaching for them and, therefore, locking your elbows.) Ride habits- again, riding with elbows bent will do a lot.

MtnRide

Deda has lasted me several thousand miles. I was even able to re-use it on a different set of handlebars. If your tape is coming unwrapped though, you might not be wrapping tight enough.

Surferbruce

another vote for deda, but anything needs to be wrapped tight and in the right direction.

late

Ok,
here is what I do. Buy 3 Grip Shapes. Slide the first under the hoods on the outside. Tape the others on the outside bend so that they overlap a lot. Tape them
on the outside so they create a platform for your hand. Tape them a bit high because the first time you put weight on them they will settle.
https://www.gripstore.com/detail.asp?product_id=SL-GS

Then lay some gel bar tape the length of the bars so that one edge follows the
high point as much as possible, the other rests on the grip shapes. Then wrap the bars (or have a bike shop do it) with more gel tape. I use Cinelli.

I am dealing with tennis elbow as well, are you icing down when it gets sore?

A handlebar that has some give to it, like the Ritchey BioMax would help, as would a larger tire. If the biggest you can fit is a 25c I suggest the Vredstein Fortezza 25c, at 100 psi. Only pump the tire up enough so that it keeps it's shape when you sit on it. If it isn't perfectly round when riding that is ok. It's tall
enough that it won't pinch at 100 psi unless you weigh a ton.

jtree

coincidentally i just installed some on my bars tonight. it definitely feels thinner than my old bar tape which was that douglas tape with the center stitching and which i really liked. i'll let you know how i like it. already i noticed that the edges of the fizik microtex flap over very easily when running my hands over the tape.

GP

I've had it for 2 weeks. It's got a good grip but I can't comment on the longevity.

Grasschopper

Well I really like the Salsa Goma tape...but I htink this is one of those everyone has their own preference type of things.

AnthonyG

I'm using a Bianchi brand bar tape (black not celeste) at the moment and its deffinitely more durable than cork tape. It offers just a little less padding than cork tape so I don't know how that will go with elbow problems.

It does sound like your not wrapping the tape up tight enough if its comming loose and you can see the handlebars. I've had cork tape suffer from abrasions more than other tapes but not come loose. You realy need to pull it tight as your wrapping it around the bars.

Regards, Anthony

onRoffR

I recently wrapped my bars with cinelli gel cork ribbon and it seems to be staying in place very well I was a little concerned because it doesn't have the same adhesive back as the regular cinelli cork ribbon. it just has a tacky back but this actually made it easier to install could redo it if it wasn't just right. the gel works well I too have slight tendonitis of my right elbow and it really takes the edge off gripping the handlebars for several hours.

big john

Mike, I tend to push the tape, too. I have had better results by using a layer of double-sided tape under the bar tape. You just need a little in the area that moves,(right near the bend,for me). To make it softer, try 2 layers of bar tape. I also like Moda Chunky and Blue Star thick tape, or both of them together.

MICHAELM

I used to always have that problem. Wrap the tape tight; but, more importantly wrap inwards, say toward the saddle. If you wrap out your hands will force it to move and split.

Ironkat

I have to agree with Hambone. Position is a big part of it. I used to do the same thing until I went riding with a group of experienced ( older riders) and one diagnosed me immediately with putting too much weight on the bars. He actually owned a LBS in town and re-fit me for my bike and showed me how to ride lighter on my bars.....and shazam! My elbows, hands, neck, and shoulders began to feel better immediately....it also caused much less wear on my bar tape. One bonus is also my spinning became smoother and more efficient. I can now ride longer with less fatigue. Another thing that helped is Aztec bar wraps and pads...I live in Texas and the chip seal roads are horrible for road buzz. The Aztec took almost all the buzz out and my hands are thankful....good luck and keep on riding.

Namenda

If you want thin tape, Fizik is the way to go. Very easy to work with, and it still looks great after 4+ months on my bars. Plus, its a perfect match for my new Arione.

hunterrb

I've never had any problems with bar tape unravelling, assuming it is the type with an adhesive backing. That said, I like the Deda stuff. The most important thing is a tight, consisent wrap in the right direction. Parktools has a great tutorial:

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=10

-Robb

jtree

you wrap tape in a circle. so no matter how you wrap the tape there will be some point where the wrap is going inwards toward the saddle. therefore your instructions don't provide any guidance.

i've read that the wrap should be going away from you as it goes over the top of the bars.

Biggziff

I just had the Cork Plus stuff put on my bars. Seem pretty nice and it's tapered at the edges so it lays nice and flat where it overlaps.

https://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...34374302874537

craign04

+1 for cinelli gel cork

mister

I picked up the gel tape that Performance has. I really took my time and made sure I wrapped it well. So far (200+ miles) it's held really well. Make sure you clean your bars well before you wrap them.

Ray Dockrey

I used this to learn how to tape bars. Haven't had a problem with tape unraveling.

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=71

Coyote2

If you wrap it right, it shouldn't come unravelled for thousands of miles. In fact, I have never had bar tape come unwrapped, even after crashes -- I only replace it because it physically starts to wear out and get tattered.

Check some of the online tutorials (there is lots of advice on this forum, but the search function is not working) and try wrapping the bars properly.

FWIW, Cinelli cork tape works just fine.

MICHAELM

That is it. Right bar wrap counter clockwise and left clockwise was what I was "attemting" to say, thanks to the description by Park Tool. If you do that, it will not unravel or split. I knew what I was trying to say; but, of course, couldn't articulate my thoughts. In the past, it was always frustrating to me to put the new bar wrap on and after a sweaty ride or two it starts splitting. Hasn't happened since.

clausen

Your tennis elbow is most likely caused from riding straight arms and no bend in your elbow(s). Bending your elbows will use your muscles in your arms to absorb road shock vs your tendons.