Bike Forums - The Great Bar Tape Review Thread

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- - The Great Bar Tape Review Thread (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/539237-great-bar-tape-review-thread.html)

umd	05-07-09 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimagnolo (Post 8876909)

Have you been studying at The Botto School For Terse Responses?:D

bar tape judged on squishiness = fail

reviewing 6 different tapes and not including Fizik = fail

grolby

05-07-09 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfred (Post 8876764)

You start by slagging off what is very possibly the "gold standard" by which all other tapes can be measured. This tape has been around longer than any other than woven cotton for a reason. It probably graces the bars of more bikes than any other single tape. The fact that plenty of shop mechanics, that we malign in so many other ways, manage to wrap it just fine gives us insight into your mechanical aptitude. Don't knock the tap for your lack of skill and experience. There are tapes that may excel at a particular attribute, but, for all around road use Cinelli Cork is an excellent combination of most characteristics. It is, in fact, available in solid colors if you wish as well as micro and macro splashes to match just about any outrageous color scheme youo want.

Geez dude, back off. It's bar tape, not Presidential politics.

I have to agree with the overrating of squishiness, though. More is not necessarily better. That doesn't mean that I like my bars to be hard as a rock, either. I'm not super-picky; I'm using cheap Bike Ribbon synthetic cork right now, and it's decent, with some give but not too thick and squishy. I also really like Fizik Microtex. Great tape.

GoChrisGo

05-07-09 05:34 PM

http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/glorycycles_2050_5038405

my favorite tape. really good at keeping your hands on the bars. absorbs sweat well so you can use this without gloves. and in my opinion it looks really spicy.

entukay

05-07-09 05:35 PM

thin tape, w/ gloves... more stable when gripping hard and sprinting.

Kojak

05-07-09 05:35 PM

I'm not sure the how to reconcile the "I'm tough enough to ride without gloves" statements with the "I want squishy bar tape" statements.
A real tough man (woman) wouldn't have any tape at all. As for me, I wear gloves. Tough or not, when the pavement comes calling, I want a little protection.

That being said, I've always used Cinelli cork, and will use Cinelli cork for the forseeable future. Some things you just don't mess with.

CrimsonKarter21

05-07-09 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entukay (Post 8876937)

thin tape, w/ gloves... more stable when gripping hard and sprinting.

Now you're entering a whole new thread topic.
No gloves, very little padding. That's how I roll.

AEO	05-07-09 05:53 PM

little trick to cinelli cork is to soil the bar a bit with extremely light and thin coat of oil or talcum powder before you start wrapping because the glue is a bit too good on metal.

otherwise the 'squishier is better' is tongue in cheek.

I'd have to say you have too much weight on your hands and your elbows are not bent enough if you think thicker padding solves the problem.

sac02

05-07-09 06:01 PM

The bottom two on the OP's list are at the top of my list. Thick, squishy bartape that makes it feel like I'm gripping a neoprene baseball bat is not my thing. Same reason I prefer non-padded gloves.

Mac

ggg300

05-07-09 06:05 PM

Forté Carbon Handlebar Tape

It is thin. Wraps easy. Cheap. It is great with gloves, but sucks w/o.

Fizik is also so so nice.

Val23708

05-07-09 06:08 PM

fizik microtex is the only thing i buy now... dont have to replace it unless you crash hard (lasts forever), good grip, good with or without gloves, wraps nice and tight, and looks great

roshea

05-07-09 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21 (Post 8876521)

Fizik Microtex Tape 9.5/10
Low squishability, easy cleanability, great looks, great grip, multiple colors. The only problem is that it's a PITA to re-wrap, but that is easy overlooked because I don't need to replace it unless I crash or I've worn it down to the grey. The white I've used cleans GREAT.

I think the PRO (Shimano) Microfiber tape is re-branded Fizik Microtex - I can't see any difference between the two, and buy whichever I can find cheapest.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/pro-m...e-bar-tape.jpg

I have had no problems re-wrapping this.

CrimsonKarter21

05-07-09 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roshea (Post 8877126)

I can't say I even knew PRO had bar tape. Oh well. Fizik is easier to get.

DScott

05-07-09 06:13 PM

I used Deda, now Cinelli cork.

Squishy is over-rated.

Hocam

05-07-09 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21 (Post 8876558)

+1. less is more.

It must be a personal thing. I ride gloveless (outside crits) and like my bar tape like I like my couches.

Hocam

05-07-09 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umd (Post 8876926)

bar tape judged on squishiness = fail

reviewing 6 different tapes and not including Fizik = fail

You're just pissy because your roads are burning.

Shimagnolo

05-07-09 07:28 PM

Just an FYI: In the past year I have used Cinelli cork, Bontrager cork, and have a pack of Forte cork on hand, (because it was on sale for a dirt-cheap price). And as far as I can tell, all three are *exactly* the same thing, the only difference being the logos stamped into the tape, (or lack of logo on the Forte), so it surprises me you found such differences in the others.

10 Wheels

05-07-09 07:33 PM

It was a gift to me.
Lasted one full year.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/105Front.jpg

JaRow

05-07-09 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocam (Post 8876267)

Specialized Roubiax Wrap 10/10
Good god, I've finally found it. The perfect wrap. Squishiness is top notch, the texture is prefect for gloveless riding and there's no god damn dots! The length is plenty, the sticky stuff doesn't leave a residue and stays sticky if you redo a section. My god, it's full of stars...

This stuff is pretty mediocre IMO. I hate it. It absorbs water/sweat like a paper towel. Really annoying. I wish I wasn't so lazy. I would change it.

jgt_madone_newb

05-07-09 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AEO (Post 8877032)

little trick to cinelli cork is to soil the bar a bit with extremely light and thin coat of oil or talcum powder before you start wrapping because the glue is a bit too good on metal..

That's a great tip. I've been using Cinelli Cork tape a lot, and the only thing I DON'T like about is it's over-aggressive adhesive. I just redid the tape on one of my bikes, and I ended up using the Cinelli Gel because it has no adhesive. Still nice tape, but a little thicker than I'd like.

I

dalava

05-07-09 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocam (Post 8877544)

You're just pissy because your roads are burning.

let it begin :fight:

I have to agree with umd on this one, tho, no fizik or Cinelli Gel. it fails as a "Great" Bar Tape Review thread.

AEO	05-07-09 07:51 PM

you're also forgetting deda foam bar tape.

personally I like both cinelli cork and deda foam.
haven't tried fizik, but I know I didn't like the older specialized foam tape because it was too 'squishy'

Hocam

05-07-09 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AEO (Post 8877703)

you're also forgetting deda foam bar tape.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalava (Post 8877655)

let it begin :fight:

I have to agree with umd on this one, tho, no fizik or Cinelli Gel. it fails as a "Great" Bar Tape Review thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocam (Post 8876267)

Given that bar tape is almost as important as your saddle and pedals, and that most tape seems to really suck, I give you The Great Bar tape Review Thread (TGBRT). You're welcome to comment with your own bar tape stories.

Reading is fundamental.

bigfred

05-07-09 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grolby (Post 8876928)

If it was only Presidential Politics, I wouldn't give a flyin F'. But the three contact points we have with our bicycles are another afair. Sorry, if my response came off too harsh. But, the guy labels this the "Great Tape Review", starts with the falacy that padding and cushioning equate with good and then, puts the long standing default choice at the bottom of his list.

Strong Bad

05-07-09 08:10 PM

Quote:

Specialized Roubiax Wrap 10/10
Good god, I've finally found it. The perfect wrap. Squishiness is top notch, the texture is prefect for gloveless riding and there's no god damn dots! The length is plenty, the sticky stuff doesn't leave a residue and stays sticky if you redo a section. My god, it's full of stars...

I agree. I've tried Deda, Fizik, Profile Design, Stella Azzurra, Cinelli, .... (and many others).
I prefer the Specialized Roubiax to all of them.
It's not so thick and squishy that you lose road feel.
It is cushioned enough that it takes the edge off the rough roads and provides a great, secure grip.
(Wrap it tight).

HastyDeparture

05-07-09 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21 (Post 8876521)

Fizik Microtex Tape 9.5/10

Another +1 for Fizik Microtex. It's amazing what that tape does when wet: absolutely nothing! It works just as well in the rain as it does on a sunny day.

Has anyone mentioned how easy it is to clean?

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