Bar Tape

TRbike
TRbike Posts: 27
edited July 2011 in Road buying advice
Can any body recommend a good bar tape to aid my fight against numbness from road vibrations?

cheers

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,414
    cinelli gel tape

    but unless you're riding on cobbles/very rough road, imho it's more likely that numbness is down to other causes...

    are you wearing padded mitts - do

    are you gripping the bars tight - don't, gentle grip is better, also change hand position every now and then

    are you leaning on the bars - don't, btw this can be a sign of incorrect bike set up
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • TRbike
    TRbike Posts: 27
    are you leaning on the bars - don't, btw this can be a sign of incorrect bike set up

    What is this ussually a sign off? Been trying for a while to get my set up just right.
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Maybe saddle too high/ far forward meaning you are taking your weight on your hands. With the pedal at 3 o'clock your knee should be over the pedal axle. With the pedal at the bottom of the stroke you should still have a slight knee bend. This should see you taking your body weight through your sit bones and your hands can then sit comfortably on the bars.

    However, if the top tube/ stem combination are too long for you, you will still be over-reaching to the bars....

    It's all about right sized bike, followed by correct set-up.

    PP
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    Specialized and Fizik both sell gel pads to fit under your bar tape - it makes a significant difference to the comfort of the bars. My preference is the Fizik - well made an lasts well so can be re-used if changing bars etc.

    It does sound like there is more to your issue though as pointed out above - handle bar width can also affect comfort. Too wide an you will add pressure through your shoulders/neck and down through to your hands. Hope you get sorted.
  • wilshawk
    wilshawk Posts: 119
    For extra padding try putting two layers of tape on some parts of the bar, you could leave some old tape on and put the new tape over it, or just use any excess tape from the new roll to create a second layer.

    As the second layer wotn cover the whole bar youll have to use a bit of tape at some point to secure it. Put the tape where you wont grip much. I recommend duct tape rather than gaffer. It looks good and when it everntually comes off it just drops off harmlessly and you can just put some new tape on.
  • willowthewhite
    willowthewhite Posts: 89
    ^ or you could just put it under the full length tape
  • wilshawk
    wilshawk Posts: 119
    willowthewhite wrote:
    ^ or you could just put it under the full length tape

    oh yea that's better

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