Bar tape and gel packs

banksy.69
banksy.69 Posts: 13
edited March 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi,

Just bought some new bars for my bike and need to re-tape. I was looking at the fizik gel pack the other day to soak up some of those vibrations. but it seems a little pricey and not sure if its worth shifting out £20-£30 for a gel pack and new tape.

So what do you think of the gel packs? or do you use just one wrap of tape? or double up etc?

Comments

  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Ribble has the gel for £11 and the gel+tape for £20

    I've used them on bar ends in the past and they worked well. Certainly comfier than without.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    actually, their stock is empty so scrub that last comment.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Shezzer
    Shezzer Posts: 229
    My training bike has steel forks (yeah, I know I'm a Luddite) and I was finding the vibration through the bars was getting a pain on longer rides. I ended up getting some of this stuff and it's done a great job >>> http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Cinel ... 360015173/

    Bit cheaper than the gel packs but as I've never used them I don't know how they'd compare.

    I also got these cycling gloves with gel inserts that have helped a lot >>> http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/SixSi ... 360035096/ and they have the advantage you can take 'em on whatever bike you're using at the time.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Parkers do this

    http://www.parker-international.co.uk/3 ... n-Kit.html

    at £4

    although strangely-in-today's-world Parkers charge postage on web orders (less than £50) so it doesn't look as good as it first seems.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • GyatsoLa
    GyatsoLa Posts: 667
    I put gel inserts into my Cinelli bars (with Mavic tape) when preparing for a lightweight tour on my bike. They really work, it was super comfy, the first time I've ridden on all-day rides with now hand or wrist discomfort.
  • Gav888
    Gav888 Posts: 946
    Ive just had the Specialized gel pack and tape done and it makes a big difference, obviously the bars feels fatter, but thats not always a problem, but the bumps are less harsh, my hands would tingle and feel a bit numb before, now they are fine. I think I paid £15 or there abouts for the tape and gel pads. Def worth it.
    Cycling never gets any easier, you just go faster - Greg LeMond
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    A very simple and inexpensive answer is to use some of the old bar tape underneath your new tape.
    Rather than wrap it round the bar try fitting a short length around the tops of the bars and on the drops held in place with insulating tape in the same way the gel pads would fit and then tape over the top.
    I find it gives the bars a nice fat feel and is pretty effective :D
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • banksy.69
    banksy.69 Posts: 13
    cool, thanks for the feedback. Think i might just go for the old bar tape, double it up with some new tape and then invest in some decent gloves with gel inserts.

    Thanks for the info on the gel packs though!

    :)

Categories