I tried searching the forums for some types of bar tape recommendations, I didn't have much luck. I'm looking to get some new tape on my CAAD9, in red. I'd like some higher quality stuff, if anyone has any recommendations please let me know.

Fizik.

its a love it or hate it thing, but for my, fizik microtex is the best stuff out there, its super durable, and the perforated "microtex" always looks good IMO.

Fizik bar tape is awesome! I believe it comes in two tones of red.

It's like asking people what shorts or saddle they like. With the 3 main contact points to a bike it truly comes down to personal preference.

For me it's Deda. All the way.

I just recently got some lizardskins tape, and it's totally awesome. Looks nice too.

+1

I will say one bad thing about Fizik. I have the white tape on my TT bike, and it doesn't seem nearly as nice as the black tape. Seems like it has less grip and less padding.

Another vote for Fizik Microfiber

Discussed ad nauseum: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/539237-great-bar-tape-review-thread.html

Doh! I just ordered the white yesterday. Are you sure it isn't completely in your head? Or maybe it was wrapped tighter on the TT bike? Maybe the tape is from a different year than the black you have? More use on the TT? More of a white knuckled grip on the TT (to match the tape of course)?

Lizardskin.

bontrager gel tape.

Do not go anywhere near Deda cork unless you need a colour that other makes don't do.

Some of it is probably that. The white tape on the TT bike is on straight/flat sections, so I rely on it for grip when braking. On the road bike, the shape of the bars takes care of most of that.

Wasn't aware that Deda made cork. The Deda I use is their foam bar tape sometimes referred to as their "logo" tape. Wraps extremely well and easily. Much better than the majority of other taps out there that I have wrapped with - including fizik.

i wonder if that is what i tried. i found it wouldn't stretch and tore easily. almost paper like.

Looking at Fiziks site, interested in their Microtex bar tape, they seem to have kits/gels? Is that anything I need to be concerned with? I was planning on buying the tape and having the LBS install it, and as far as I know, you don't apply gel or anything to the bar before applying.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...pe/DEDAHBTP200

This is the stuff I use and it is foam for sure. Stretches great and wraps wonderfully. became my defacto go-to bar tape after finally ditching Cinelli after 18 years of using it.

If that is truly cork then....meh. No experience with a cork tape from Deda. What makes me think that they are indeed 2 different tapes is the fact that the one you link to has chrome bar ends while the foam tape I use comes with faux carbon black plastic bar ends like in the picture coasting put on there.

don't get me started on cinelli tape. they suck. come to think of it, i might be confusing my experience with deda and cinelli. i wrapped 2 bikes at similar times. one was definitely awful and the other was ok. i remember now. cinelli sucks hard. Deda is ok.

Deda sure has a lot of colours. that's something i like a lot. decorate my bike differently every year.

Fickle.

My bike came with Specialized Body Geometry Bar Phat Tape. I had to replace one side after replacing a brifter after about 4K miles, and I can't tell the difference from the side I didn't change.

Fizik Microtex tape. Little to no padding, so if that is a problem, either get the gels you can install under the tape, or consider another tape. The big downside is that the microtex tape is one use only, so also, do not use if you are in the middle of testing out various handlebars