Grip tape and 'padding' or bar gels?

rohloff-rich

My new Cannondale has had the grip wound really badly on one side of the bar - no big issue as it gives me to opportunity to customise a little and change the colour of the bar tape, as well as giving me experience of wrapping a set of bars myself.

I seem to recall seeing someone like Specialized doing a bar gel that is placed under the grip tape - is this stuff still available, and is it any good? Or should I just save the weight and stick to padded gloves?

manick0de

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360009572&N=Specialized%20Body%20Geometry%20Phat%20Bar%20Tape

Weight? They weigh nothing, you could save more weight by shaving your hair. I use the 4.5 on my hack bike and 2.5 on my best. Have to say though I prefer the 4.5 even though it is chunkier, but it does tend to flatten out after a month or two

rohloff-rich

manick0de wrote:

Weight? They weigh nothing, you could save more weight by shaving your hair.

That's good to know - got the impression they'd be quite heavy (not sure why though!).

pieinthesky

The Specialized Bar Phat gel is very good, especially if riding long distances. The gel pads weigh 96 grams for the set of 4 (the thicker ones)

If you ride on the hoods all the time they will be of little benefit as they do not cover this area. I have tried putting them on the wrong way round so they extend under the hoods. I find this is better but they dont then cover the tops fully.

daowned

Specialized bar phat bar kit is good I have it on my Specialized Roubaix, no marketing rubbish it does make a difference after hours in the saddle.

Jaeger

Agree; no more tingly fingers after longer rides. Def worth it for the comfort!

gkerr4

agreed - it's nice and actually does work over the long distances.

I have the 4.5mm stuff - they weigh practically nothing and give a nice thick soft feel to the bar (that some people don't like) that I love.

only downside is that it only comes in black - I would recommend buying the BGstuff and some cheapo (cos you don;t need the padding in the tape as much) bar tape in another colour if you don't like the black tape.