Hello All! Im new to this whole fixed gear stuff and had a quick question on handle bar tape. I found some on ebay for pretty cheap. Is there any kind anyone would recommend other than those?

Thanks!
Nick.

would be nice if we knew what kind of tape it was. I find standard cork tape to be just fine. fizik microtex also feels pretty good.

I've been using this: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_202444
$6/roll, and no ugly logos stamped on it.

Tape is tape is tape. But I do prefer ones made of cork. The Origin 8 hasn't failed me yet.

Um I have only used generic cork tape and Cinelli cork tape (but I do have some weird FUBAR stuff coming in the mail)... honestly it doesn't really make a difference unless you're looking for something specific, e.g. thickness, tackiness, ease of removal, etc. I would recommend getting that Nashbar stuff or whatever cheap eBay thing you found, cause it's kind of dumb to spend $35 on bar tape before you even know what you want.

LizardSkins DSP all the way.

Whatever cork is cheapest. Go to your LBS, you'll probably get some for the same price as ebay, and don't have to wait for shipping.

No way. I've been through a load of different tapes and they all feel different, and in the end it is a very personal thing. My latest favorite is Soma Thick and Zesty.

Lizard Skins DSP is my favorite tape, but it's so pricey. I usually just stick with the cheap cork stuff that's like $5-10.

I haven't dealt with tape in a couple years, grips all day.

I have no idea why I'm in this thread.

You've obviously never used LizardSkins DSP.

True but it lasts a long, long time.

I thought it was Salsa who made Thick and Zesty. Either way, it is very nice tape; I'm to cheap to buy it for myself, but I recommend it to all my friends.

Buy the cheapest stuff you can get and go from there.
It cost me $6 to find out I didn't like cork tape because it's too padded for me. haha.

I love the Fizik stuff because it is very thin, little padding, durable, and long lasting. If you like thin tapes (and probably only if you like thin tapes), you'll love Fizik stuff.

Everyone I know who loves thicker tapes like Cinelli Cork hate it. I've also heard good things about Specialized tape.

Lizard Skins seems to get the most love, but I haven't tried it. If I ever can justify that much for tape, or find it on sale somewhere, I will definitely buy it.

I guess I'm weird because I enjoy the thin Microtex (used for ~2 years) but now I'm into thick tape.
:-/
I row both ways

+1. I'm using Cinelli right now, and it's less favorable than the cheapo nashbar... although at least you can get it at the LBS. Never tried lizard skins because it's uuuugggly.

^ haha. I think Lizard Skins are ugly too.

Do you know if the "Soft Touch" has more padding than the regular stuff? I bought some Fizik thinking it was going to be thin. Unless it has less, this stuff is still a little too thick for me! ahah.

I'm pretty sure this eBay seller sent me Soft Touch instead of the regular black. (You can definitely tell the difference between Soft Touch and regular black Microtex right? The pack I got doesn't have a "sheen" to them? They look matte-ish? idk. I've never handled the two.)

I want to use Lizard Skins, but I have ethical concerns with them skinning that many lizards.

More seriously, some people are picky about tape, some aren't, only way to find out which type you like is to try some out. I don't know how much good other people's advice is gonna do you. Like hairnet said, it's a personal thing.

That being said, if you're also learning how to wrap handlebars, maybe buy a couple packs of the cheap cork stuff so you won't be scared to mess up.

The soft touch stuff is suede/matte feeling. I think you have soft touch. I'm not sure if it's thicker than the regular stuff, but it feels kinda thick/cushy at first. Over time it feels like it sort of flattens out, though this isn't scientifically supported or anything.

Even the soft touch stuff is thinner than cinelli cork and other tapes I've tried. I've heard Lizard skins is pretty thin also, but they have different thicknesses.

Other than that I'm not aware of many more tapes that are thinner than Fizik.

Yeah, I thought so. :/

Ah, well it's not a big deal and I don't want to deal with return shipping. I'll try and sell on CL.
How durable is the Soft Touch stuff btw? Any estimates?

What about cloth tape? haha. I think that's as thin as it gets!

I was going to suggest that. Its harsh on your hands, but if you can take it, try it. Its cheap so you wont lose much.

From my experience the soft touch is pretty durable but probably less durable than the regular stuff. This is due to the fact that the suede sorta rubs off after a while. I've only had tears when falling at speed though. Like during a wheelie or dumb skid trick or something.

It's okay to cry.

Been rocking old tubes as tape on the knockaround for a while. Works with gloves just fine. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

hahaha, you got me.

Prose, bro.

gloves and only half wrapping makes all your tape go much farther. finally used the other half of this https://velospace.org/files/sambaQA23.jpg tape today on the townie. I like it much better on the townie.