How do you choose a bar tape?

FSR_XC
FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
edited June 2009 in Road buying advice
Just got some bars and I will not be able to get the old stuff off easily so need some new tape.

There are sooooooo many diferent ones out there.

How do I know which one is best?

Do I want something similar to what I have?
I guess that'll be Specialized as it's on an Allez.

I like the soft feel & grippy nature of what's on already. Is there anything similar or better?

What is the difference between cork & rubber?

BTW I want the 'best value' I can.
Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

http://www.visiontrack.com

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    FSR_XC wrote:

    What is the difference between cork & rubber?

    Is that a real question? :roll: :roll:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I love the Stella Azzura Eleganza tape, a lot of other people seem to rave about the Fizik stuff, so you have to buy one of those, no matter what anyone else says.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Deda
    I like bikes...

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  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    +1 Eleganza
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,716
    I just buy Deda now, every time. Tried most of the others, Deda's better.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    whyamihere wrote:
    I just buy Deda now, every time. Tried most of the others, Deda's better.

    WHY?

    COME ON! WHY?

    JEESIS H, MAN, TELL US!

    :evil:

    I may be investing in some soon actually, when my new frame comes...
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,716
    Reasons? But this is the Internet!

    However, reasons I shall give, you lucky lucky people.

    It's stretchy, but not too stretchy. This makes wrapping it a breeze.
    It costs a fiver
    It's got a kind of grippy but wipe clean surface that I love. Means that with white tape I don't need to replace it every week, but can still get a good hold on it.
    It costs a fiver
    It sits fairly flat. Some tapes, like Easton, have bumps all the way along due to the thickness of the tape. I prefer my tape to sit a bit flatter. I have used flatter tapes, but they were a bit crap in other areas.
    It costs a fiver.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I'm going to have to redo my tape when I build my bike up, which will probably mean death to my nice white SA Eleganza tape, I'll give the Deda stuff a try if that's the case...
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    whyamihere - you are spot on. The Deda has a nice feel, but is not spongy like a lot of others. I tried that Easton tape and it's hideously squidgy!
  • simon johnson
    simon johnson Posts: 1,064
    Question: why does the black Fizik Microtex tape possess a rather nice 'velour' texture, whilst the silver (and many other colours if I remember rightly) is smooth, thin, slippery and generally uncomfortable??
    Where\'s me jumper?
  • Rich-Ti
    Rich-Ti Posts: 1,831
    The new Lizard Skins stuff is awesome, but I also love Eleganza 8)
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Stella Azzurra Tecno Spugna, just for the name, sounds so much better than "Eleganza". Fact!
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Question: why does the black Fizik Microtex tape possess a rather nice 'velour' texture, whilst the silver (and many other colours if I remember rightly) is smooth, thin, slippery and generally uncomfortable??

    The velour texture is the buffed type - they also do a black in the smooth tape.

    Have fizik buffed on one bike - just bought Deda for another bike. When the fizik needs replacing will probably go with Deda again. It's cheap enough to do when it gets too dirty (although easy to clean), or if you crash, and is as comfortable as any other tape I've tried over the years.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • simon johnson
    simon johnson Posts: 1,064
    Question: why does the black Fizik Microtex tape possess a rather nice 'velour' texture, whilst the silver (and many other colours if I remember rightly) is smooth, thin, slippery and generally uncomfortable??

    The velour texture is the buffed type - they also do a black in the smooth tape.

    Have fizik buffed on one bike - just bought Deda for another bike. When the fizik needs replacing will probably go with Deda again. It's cheap enough to do when it gets too dirty (although easy to clean), or if you crash, and is as comfortable as any other tape I've tried over the years.

    Thanks, unable to discern that there are two types available from the box alone. I like the 'buffed' tape.

    I did once splash out on Brooks' leather bar tape- $$$$!
    Where\'s me jumper?
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    +1 for Deda. I bought it on price initially but its far better than the stuff that was on before(Fizik) and the Sram thats on my other bike.
  • System_1
    System_1 Posts: 513
    I used Specialized Bar Phat initially because I like the gel pads but when it came time to replace the dirty white tape I got some Pro cork tape. Along with the Spesh pads it's a combination I like.
  • Philip S
    Philip S Posts: 398
    I got Fizik bar tape cos its colour matches the stripe on my saddle. 8)

    Seriously, though, it works fine for me - grippier than the tape that came with my bike. It's not as thickly padded as some, but that suits me.
  • FSR_XC
    FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
    Looks like there's a lot of love for Deda.

    I guess Ribble is the best / cheapest place for it??
    Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

    http://www.visiontrack.com
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    FSR_XC wrote:
    Looks like there's a lot of love for Deda.

    I guess Ribble is the best / cheapest place for it??

    Pro Bike Kit, once you factor in delivery and stuff - it's where I've always got it from anyway.
    I like bikes...

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  • FSR_XC
    FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
    This looks like good value:

    http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A1223

    Anyone used Ambrosio bar tape?
    Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

    http://www.visiontrack.com
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    dennisn wrote:
    FSR_XC wrote:

    What is the difference between cork & rubber?

    Is that a real question? :roll: :roll:

    Nothing, they both come from trees
    Pegoretti
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