Bar tape

Mozza1
Mozza1 Posts: 128
edited March 2009 in Road buying advice
Is there really any difference between any of the manufacturers? I know that they would all have us believe that they make the best but really? Have always used Cinelli tape, any reason to change?

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    edited March 2009
    I have started using Profile Design bar tape because it is non-adhesive. It stays on fine, but can be removed and replaced when required without damage. I get it from eBay for about £6 delivered. There is also a thicker "shock bar wrap" type offering more cushioning here. Not used this, but the regular one is fine.
  • Mozza1
    Mozza1 Posts: 128
    How does that stay on the bars without twisting round?
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    You wrap it tight (as you would any bar tape) it clings to itself and the bar, doesn't budge at all, don't know why, it just doesn't - in use you wouldn't know it was non-adhesive. It came into it's own when I changed my shifters, and on another occasion, changed the cable outers. That would normally have cost me about £14 more for replacement bar tape!
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    p.s. of course the inside end is taped to the bar with electrical tape, as normal, and the outer end is trapped under the bar end cap.

    It also means that you get a second (or more) chance if you don't apply it perfectly first time.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Actually, last weekend I replaced the shifters on my g/f's Trek 1.2. I had new bar tape ready expecting the old stuff to get destroyed, but this too (Bontrager) was non-adhesive, and that has stayed put for 9 months without any hint that it was a non-adhesive tape.

    So I re-used the tape, still looks original! Maybe today's bar tapes don't actually need adhesive - of course it is in the manufacturer's interests to make them self-destruct on removal...
  • Mozza1
    Mozza1 Posts: 128
    well I have to say I'm tempted by the Profile desgin tape. It's always the job I hate the most putting new tape on; easy to bodge it up.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Mozza1 wrote:
    well I have to say I'm tempted by the Profile desgin tape. It's always the job I hate the most putting new tape on; easy to bodge it up.
    That's why I started to use it, I was always screwing the job up, so resorted to paying the LBS to fit it, which is embarrassing! Since using Profile Design I have done it myself, and get a good result because I can keep re-doing it till perfect.
  • paulieb2006
    paulieb2006 Posts: 318
    Mozza1 wrote:
    How does that stay on the bars without twisting round?

    Mozza1
    The tape probably has a GEL backing to it which helps it to stick to the bar but peels away leaving nothing behind. Good stuff.
    I use FSA Gel tape and its great but the tape supplied for the ends is useless. Better to get Electrical tape in the same colour, so it looks better.