Handlebar Tape?? Help Needed Choosing

loxster71
loxster71 Posts: 269
edited February 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi All,

I'm about to have a set of new bars fitted to my steed and was wondering what tape seems to be the popular choice on here?

Is it a personall preference (like a saddle for example) or are there Good and Bad ones??

I'm after something that's really Comfortable ie) absorbs road vibration from the terrible roads around here and is nice to hold for longish periods.

Any recomendations??

Thanks in advance. :D
Giant Trance X3
Boardman Limited Edition Carbon #344
BMC Streetfire ssx( converted to flat bar Hybrid)

Comments

  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    I like a lot of the usual suspects like Cinelli, Deda, ITM etc but I've recently put Specialized tape on and find it comfy. I guess it would be good if you could go into a local shop and have a feel of the material of some?
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    The Ritchey stuff from Wiggle is good.

    **NB - The image on Wiggles site shows 'Ritchey' in coloured lettering on the tape. I've ordered three lots over the last 1-2 years and it's always been one colour, no coloured lettering.
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  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    I think that you'll find plenty of folk using Fizik microtex.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Microtex is useless in the vibration stakes though.

    I've got some s-works tape on at the moment, looks similar to microtex but much more comfy, really like it.
  • nunowoolmez
    nunowoolmez Posts: 867
    I have Cinelli Mike Giant tape which is also available at Wiggle. It is quite unusual & looks wicked. Apart from that it feels great, lasts well, & in my opinion is just as good as most of the other stuff out there. It is avaiable in Black/white & Red/white varieties. Gets lots of comments from fellow riders too.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Evil Laugh wrote:
    Microtex is useless in the vibration stakes though.

    I've got some s-works tape on at the moment, looks similar to microtex but much more comfy, really like it.

    There's a new-ish padded Fizik Microtex now, but the great thing about the regular stuff is that it's nice and thin.
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  • BBH
    BBH Posts: 476
    Lizard skins dsp anyone???
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  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    I too am interested in peoples opinions on bar tape

    I've used microtex before - nice and thin, easy to clean, feels quality but also thin in a bad way, doesn't help at all with vibration.

    Bought some Cinelli crok tape once which felt lovely but I decided it was going to get grubby very easily so sent it back.
  • nickellis
    nickellis Posts: 239
    There's a new-ish padded Fizik Microtex now, but the great thing about the regular stuff is that it's nice and thin.

    Would that be this
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fizik-microtex-dual-bar-tape/
    Was just about to click the pay button when I thought I'd better check the forum, how lucky...
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  • itsnotarace
    itsnotarace Posts: 518
    nickellis wrote:
    There's a new-ish padded Fizik Microtex now, but the great thing about the regular stuff is that it's nice and thin.

    Would that be this
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fizik-microtex-dual-bar-tape/
    Was just about to click the pay button when I thought I'd better check the forum, how lucky...

    That's normal Microtex with dual colours
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    I was a Fizik fan until I changed to spesh s-works classic. Looks nicer than Fizik and is more padded. It's ace!


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  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    LIzard Skins dsp is great, as is the padded Fizik Dual stuff, wrapping it inside out to get one colour instead of two, harder to wrap but excellent for comfort and vibration ....
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    itsnotarace wrote:
    nickellis wrote:
    There's a new-ish padded Fizik Microtex now, but the great thing about the regular stuff is that it's nice and thin.

    Would that be this
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fizik-microtex-dual-bar-tape/
    Was just about to click the pay button when I thought I'd better check the forum, how lucky...

    That's normal Microtex with dual colours

    No it's not. It's thicker than normal Microtex.
    More problems but still living....
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    I've used all sorts and like the standard specialized stuff (without the funny gel bits) but recently just grabbed 'something cheap' off the shelf at Evans to put on a friends bike after a full service. It was by Easton and is fantastically pliant so easy to put on and also really nice and spongy so feels fantastic. Can't vouch for it long term as it's not been me using it but I was well impressed considering it's only £8 odd compared to some of the more expensive 'comfort' tapes.
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    Fizik Microtex fitted with the gel pads is top stuff, although an expensive way of padding. I use the matt black finish stuff which looks awesome.

    Another option I would highly recommend you consider is ZIPP's handlebar tape. It is the most comfortable I have ever used (even more so than Specialized Roubaix tape), although the white was a faff to keep clean. http://www.zipp.com/accessories/zipp-handle-bar-tape/
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    I like the standard Deda stuff and it's one of the cheaper bar tapes. I usually get it from one of the various ebay sellers who have it on BIN.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    amaferanga wrote:
    itsnotarace wrote:
    nickellis wrote:
    There's a new-ish padded Fizik Microtex now, but the great thing about the regular stuff is that it's nice and thin.

    Would that be this
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fizik-microtex-dual-bar-tape/
    Was just about to click the pay button when I thought I'd better check the forum, how lucky...

    That's normal Microtex with dual colours

    No it's not. It's thicker than normal Microtex.
    Yeah its a lot thicker than normal Microtex ...
  • itsnotarace
    itsnotarace Posts: 518
    I stand corrected then :D
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    Fizik, if you're going white, otherwise whatever's cheapest, Deda's and BBB are great value.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Spesh Roubaix tape. It has a thin elestomer backing which helps with the vibration damping. Used it on a couple fo bikes now and think it's pretty good!

    http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... =0&eid=731
  • bristolpete
    bristolpete Posts: 2,255
    S-works classic in black. Bloody love it ! :mrgreen:
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    If you're doing it yourself then Fizik Microtex is very easy to install (stays sticky if you unwind it a bit, wont tear). Lizard Skinz is supposed to be great but at that price I'm never going to find out...
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    racingcondor wrote:
    If you're doing it yourself then Fizik Microtex is very easy to install (stays sticky if you unwind it a bit, wont tear). Lizard Skinz is supposed to be great but at that price I'm never going to find out...
    i disagree, fizik doesnt stretch. harder to get tight on the bends.
  • pollys_bott
    pollys_bott Posts: 1,012
    Graham G wrote:
    It was by Easton and is fantastically pliant so easy to put on and also really nice and spongy so feels fantastic. Can't vouch for it long term as it's not been me using it but I was well impressed considering it's only £8 odd compared to some of the more expensive 'comfort' tapes.

    +1 for Easton tape. £9 from my LBS, easy to put on, nice and thick and comfy.

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