handlebar tap and aero bars advice

brucebanner

Would fitting aero bars on a carbon handlebar break the bar?

What's the most comfortable handlebar tape I can put on a Trek 1.5? My current ones are fairly thing - actually very thin.

Pokerface

I broke my carbon bars fitting aero extensions. Personally I don't recommend it - but I THINK you can do it if you don't overtighten, etc. I suspect some are even made to go on carbon bars?

Anyone who makes gel bar tape will give you some comfort. Fixik makes great tape - and Bontrager also has some nice, soft tape.

ajb72

Probably worth trying to find the information from the manufacturer as some will expressly suggest no aero bars (my old Zipp's had a sticker attached stating this).

I believe Zipp's newer versions include some suitable for clip-on bars, so best to check as they all vary from model to model.

EKIMIKE

I word of warning about Fizik Microtex - whilst it's very nice to touch, very soft whilst also being extremely hard wearing, it is pretty thin and doesn't do much in the way of 'padding' your bars. Something like Deda tape will pad out your bars better but it doesn't feel so awesome as Fizik Microtex.

Felt some Bontrager tape in it's packet the other day and it felt pretty nice. Almost as if it had the softness to touch of Fizik with padding of Deda. Dunno how it works in practice. Maybe worth a try.

I talk about Fizik and Deda from personal use btw. I know i'm going against a wave of popular opinion RE Microtex on here. I just don't think it's that great when it comes to actual comfort.

PS your model of bike has no bearing on what tape you can use. It's universal.

must-tri-harder

bang on a set of fizik bar gel pads under your microtex (white of course) and you've got grip and padding .. . either that or just tape over your existing tape.

must-tri-harder

oh and for aero bars, i've gone with the oval concepts stem cap clip on system (SCCS), which means your attachment points for the aero arm rests and extensions dont attach directly to the handlbar but attach via interchangeable stem plates instead. it means changing your stem but other than that it's a very tidy way of tackling the problem in my opinion.

sha2je

ajb72 wrote:

Probably worth trying to find the information from the manufacturer as some will expressly suggest no aero bars (my old Zipp's had a sticker attached stating this).

I believe Zipp's newer versions include some suitable for clip-on bars, so best to check as they all vary from model to model.

hey buddy its nice i agree with your comments about this and i also share the same views thanks for post

fleshtuxedo

must-tri-harder wrote:

oh and for aero bars, i've gone with the oval concepts stem cap clip on system (SCCS), which means your attachment points for the aero arm rests and extensions dont attach directly to the handlbar but attach via interchangeable stem plates instead. it means changing your stem but other than that it's a very tidy way of tackling the problem in my opinion.

What a great idea there's some for sale here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :MESELX:IT

Stuey01

3T tape is really thick and soft.

Save money on gel pads to put under your tape, just trim some lengths of old tape from that you have removed and use electricians tape to attach it to the bar in the places you want additional padding, then wrap as normal. Really works and basically free.