What Bar Tape

Avoneer

Hi All,

Going on from my numb hands thread (http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12676449), what bar tape would you guys recommend?

Just got some compact drops to fit and need new tape.

Cheers,

Pat...

rake

phat.

redddraggon

Fizik dual is well comfy. Black/grey is the only colour that looks OK though.

bigmat

I got Fizik dual in black / red, saw a guy with it on his bars during a sportive and it looked so ridiculous I ended up sending it back. Black / grey might be OK...

blorg

Do you currently use gel tape? I don't on all my bikes but it is substantially cushier.

You could also try the gel inserts under normal tape- Specialized and Fizik do these.

Is Fizik dual substantially more padded than the Microtex? Microtex is very thin indeed.

I generally use Deda cork on its own but wouldn't suggest that if you are looking for more cushioning- not without inserts anyway.

redddraggon

Dual is loads thicker than the normal microtex. I find that using gel pads under the tape either makes the bars far too thich or an odd shape.

Most of the fizik dual colours look a bit ghey, but black/grey is OK

rake

redddraggon wrote:

Dual is loads thicker than the normal microtex. I find that using gel pads under the tape either makes the bars far too thich or an odd shape.

Most of the fizik dual colours look a bit ghey, but black/grey is OK[/quote
have you got tiny hands. bigger area = better grip less pressure. :roll:

redddraggon

I take L/XL gloves

rake

with pleanty of room

redddraggon

Yeh whatever Rake, the fact is there's no need for massively padded bars on UK roads.

Normal width tape on the bars is fine, if you are suffering from road buzz you either have the tyres at too high a pressure or you are a pussy.

Ollieda

Specialized Roubaix bar tape is quite nice.....on the more expensive side though

rake

your wrong fact. british roads are crapper. why do they make profiled bars. better feel. if you can't see the benefits your only doing a few miles a week because your feeble your legs wear out first.
thats you that is.

redddraggon

British roads are not the smoothest, but they aren't covered in pavé. I guess you're in the pussy category then.

rake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEQcsuXnnnc

salsarider79

I like Specialized Bar Phat. I have that on my Langster, which is my commute bike.
I like the fact it takes the buzz out the road, but with bigger hands gives me more to grip.

redddraggon: With potholes and the roads round here, my wrists and hands would be killing me within a week. TBH I don't mind being called a pu$$y, for me comfort is worth more than speed, I'll work on the speed. I've done several century rides (so far all under 6 hours) and aim to ride 60+miles each sunday, I cycle commute, and can say comfort is very important. I've ridden some bikes for 5miles and felt like I've done 50miles, and others vice versa

blorg

Some people prefer to ride without gloves in summer.

I get on OK gloveless with standard Deda on most of my bikes but found Fizik Microtex on my fixed gear much too thin for long days in the saddle. I put some Deda under it in the end, kept the Microtex on top as it matched the saddle, and that is after all what is most important with a fixie.

Avoneer

Cheers guys.

My Defy came with closed cell foam stuff (I think) but I don't really like it.

My new drops came with some white stuff that appears to have a thin stip of gel on the back of it down the middle.

Might give that a try and see what happens.

Pat...

redddraggon

salsarider79 wrote:

redddraggon: With potholes and the roads round here, my wrists and hands would be killing me within a week.

Must be your wrists then. I ride in North Wales, and not always on tarmaced roads.

rake

thats why your face looks like it does. :roll:

The Hedgehog

STEFANOS4784

salsarider79 wrote:

redddraggon: With potholes and the roads round here, my wrists and hands would be killing me within a week. TBH I don't mind being called a pu$$y, for me comfort is worth more than speed, I'll work on the speed. I've done several century rides (so far all under 6 hours) and aim to ride 60+miles each sunday, I cycle commute, and can say comfort is very important. I've ridden some bikes for 5miles and felt like I've done 50miles, and others vice versa

Different strokes for different folks. I ride round Bath/Bristol/the lanes etc, my red bike is all ally i have my tyres rock hard, use no gloves in the summer but, fortunately, don't suffer at all, but let's not forget the fact that i am a double hard b@stard 8)




Oh yes and also my bar tape may as well just be sellotape it's that thin




Oh yes and also i do notice my other bike is more comfortable but it's kind of like comparing comfort levels of 2 different chairs-they're both fine for the job

Avoneer

And you're all bonafide lycra roadies?

My pre-conceptions have all gone out the window now.

This thread is actually comical.

Pat...

Oh, and a little bit useful.

gabriel959

Now that I have tried Fizik Dual Black/Grey looks and feels the part but I can't vouch yet for durability.

Better than Deda or Silva tape.

gabriel959

Roads in this country are sh1te.

Go to Spain for decent tarmac - paid by the EU by the way

Bhima

I've been without bar tape for about 6 months now without any pain (on sh1te roads). I think i'll get some white Cinelli tape for my new bike build though. It is somehow "better" than other tape i've tried, but I can't put my finger on why.

STEFANOS4784

......Was thinking actually, i wonder why no-one sells heated tape, that would be much more useful (to me) than padded stuff...

redddraggon

Bhima wrote:

I've been without bar tape for about 6 months now without any pain (on sh1te roads). I think i'll get some white Cinelli tape for my new bike build though. It is somehow "better" than other tape i've tried, but I can't put my finger on why.

Because it says Cinelli is the best in the OREC?

Bhima

redddraggon wrote:

Because it says Cinelli is the best in the OREC?

No. It's by far the most comfortable, "Euro" qualities aside. I've tried loads of different bar tape when test-riding bikes and it's just "better".

galatzo

Can't make my mind up about this and £15 is abit much if I'm not sure.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Cinel ... 360039890/

What do youthink ?

sandbag

Have you tried using bubble pack under the tape?

and what about cork tape?

softlad

sandbag wrote:

Have you tried using bubble pack under the tape?

have you..?