Olebiker

I'll let you know Sunday. I just installed the Aztec stuff last night.

rmwun54

I use the foam that is used on cruiser handlebar. I cut it in 1/2 and place them strategically on the four area the palms tend to rest on the most: the the straight, the curve part, the hood, and the drops. Works pretty good. I make sure I wrap the bar tape firmly. I also use some of the foam to fill that area on the hood that has a dip in it where the Shimano lever brace connects with the bar, it makes the hood have a flatter surface which is way more comfortable.

R900

+1 I have gel on my oldest Cannondale, double wrap on my Binachi, and single layer of cork on my newest Trek. I still like a fatter bar, but the padding means less now then it did when I started riding.

John

DocRay

I use Cinelli gel, but I take the old tape and just wrap the drops and the top near the hoods, then put a fresh second layer over the whole bar. Great stuff.

Avoid the gel tape or any tape with adhesive.

!!Comatoa$ted

I use specialized bar phat. When I change my tape I will throw the inserts away. I cant stand anything soft under my hands when I am biking, all it does is cause pain and tingling. I can't even wear gloves.
That being said I think it is a very personal choice. I have ridden with people who cant ride w/o gloves and tons of padding. I am the opposite. My hads like cheap tape and my buttocks like cheap saddles.

ericgu

I have the aztec stuff and it's working fine so far. The instructions say that you should put a layer of tape on the bars before you put on the padding so that you can take it off easily later on.

cycle17

I dont use padded gloves. But I tried the Bontrager Gel tape (not too thick and squishy feeling) and I liked it so much I put it on all my bikes. Comes in a variety of colors too. Better the gel tape than sore hands.

thebankman

It's not so much weight on your hands, but the combination of having weight on your hands and hitting bumps in the crap roads around my city. I bought some Aztec bar warp and re-wrapped the bars, it feels good but haven't spent enough time on it to make a solid review. The bike was fit for me and it's set up just fine for my tastes, but I do a lot of computer stuff and my wrists and hands get a bit sore when doing minor tasks.

Thanks for the help y'all!

cyclezen

currently running one bike with gel pads under the tape, another with Gel Tape, and the rest with std normal (thin) thickness tape - some are cork some just plain cheapo vinyl bartape.
Been almost 9 mos of riding with all these combos. Neither the Gel pad version nor the Gel tape versions show any great relief in comfort.
Moving my hand position as frequently as possible seems to have more affect than the type of padding used - for me.

NuBiker

I love the Fizik gel on my regular 26 diameter bar, even received some positive comments from my lbs.

Olebiker

I have ridden about 100 miles this week with the Fizik padding. I can tell some improvement with the numb hands. On a scale of 1 to ten, I'd give it a 7.

woodcycl

Really?!? I wonder if those specific instructions were added after the fact ... given so many folks had problem with removal. Good for them. Not a bad idea.

v1k1ng1001

I have larger hands so I prefer Specialized bar phat or double wrapping with some thicker wrap. Haven't tried anything else.

It's an aesthetic thing more than a comfort thing however. Some of my friends prefer to ride with the lowest profile grip possible.

Ultimately if your discomfort has to do with your bike not fitting you or your being out of shape the tape isn't going to make any difference.

Honestly, lifting weights 2-3 times/wk does more than anything else to keep my upper body comfy while on my bike.

cyclezealot

Yes. Last re-taping job the shop owner put on padded tape on my commute bike. I love it. Between padded gloves and padded tape, it is a lot of padding. Feels great.