How do you choose a bar tape?

FSR_XC

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.

dennisn

FSR_XC wrote:

What is the difference between cork & rubber?

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

Anonymous

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

Deda

giant_man

+1 Eleganza

whyamihere

I just buy Deda now, every time. Tried most of the others, Deda's better.

Anonymous

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

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

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

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

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??

Rich-Ti

The new Lizard Skins stuff is awesome, but I also love Eleganza 8)

greasedscotsman

Stella Azzurra Tecno Spugna, just for the name, sounds so much better than "Eleganza". Fact!

Slow Downcp

simon johnson wrote:

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.

simon johnson

Slow Downcp wrote:

simon johnson wrote:

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- $$$$!

markos1963

+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

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

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

Looks like there's a lot of love for Deda.

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

redddraggon

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.

FSR_XC

This looks like good value:

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

Anyone used Ambrosio bar tape?

on-yer-bike

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