Bar Tape or Socks?
 

So, I'm thinking of breaking out a $20 bill and investing some serious cash into my cycling performance. I'm happy with my shoes and pedals, bars and gloves, but I think I could make some improvements in the tape or socks department. Which do you think will give me the best gains?

I'm currently using BikeSmart bar tape and PBK socks.

Thanks!

Socks add extra weight.

Seriously? Buy what you need. Don't buy what you don't need. A bag of marbles might be a good investment , but I'm not usre if you can get them for only $20 anymore.

So does bar tape.

How can I without pre-approval from the internet?

Swiftwick merino socks are one of the better $15-20 purchases that you can make.

How many Watts can I expect per sock?

Which of the two smells worse?

I'll check when I get home!

You'll have to do the math, but suffice it to say that, with their superior wicking technology, they'll hold on to much less sweat and reduce your rotational weight. They're very fast socks.

Should simplify the choice, though still begs the question which conserves more energy ... new socks or new bar tape? Can't help there, I'm afraid; too busy waving.

More sock = more wicking = more speed?

http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/...-lengths06.jpg

Save your money. Just wave more.

You'd better believe it. I custom ordered a pair of Merino 33s to cover my entire inseam.

Forget the socks or bar tape, if those are your legs, you need Vitamin D :p

You can never have enough socks. $20.00 will buy a pair of socks that will last for years and years.
I can't say that for bar tape.

Not me. I found the picture doing research on Swiftwick socks.

That photo? Done so carefully, yet the 5th sock is white.

Ruined. Completely.

$20 for one pair of socks? LOL. I'm in the wrong business. P.T. Barnum said it best.

a) They're more like $15 - have you tried them? Merino socks, in general, are pretty great, but these are the best out of the several brands/styles that I've tried. Spend the measly $15 bucks and see if I'm wrong.
b) They have several direct competitors (see: a), so I can only assume that they command pretty standard margins for the market, so you're probably not in the wrong business.
c) PT never said what you're alluding to.

That's a lot of fail in a small handful of words, Bobby. Are you reverting to the moran that you used to be? You were just starting to grow on me... ;)

I actually wasn't referring to your Merino post, but rather the aubiecat post just above. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I have the greatest respect for Merino and have dozens of sweaters out of it. But you know, at $30 for top notch Merino sweaters all season long at Jos. Bank who makes a good profit, the socks could reasonably be cheaper. I also used to ride shorts and jerseys made from it. I sure hope I am not regressing to the old Bobbie. :)

Oh, and thanks for setting me straight on the Barnum thing. I checked the story out. Neat.

LoL. What kind of socks do you think I was talking about genius?

Nice talk! Gold leaf? I appreciate the properties of Merino, but I won't pay a stupid price for it. I like Merino, but technical polyester is a much better buy. Works great and priced right.

is this serious thread?

You can get tube socks for less than $1 a pair.

Hanes Men's 12 Pack Over the Calf socks: Big & Tall : Walmart.com