Handlebar tape - what to buy and how to fit
giantAstax
Posts: 55
Hi. I should be ready next week to fit my road bars on the new CX bike. What bar tape do you guys use and how is it best to fit it? Also should I fit gel pads?
I'm thinking for a winter trainer/CX bike I should avoid cork. I've a leather saddle which I keep well treated and it's great and was wondering about leather bar tape.
Ta
I'm thinking for a winter trainer/CX bike I should avoid cork. I've a leather saddle which I keep well treated and it's great and was wondering about leather bar tape.
Ta
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The best guide is on Park Tools site at http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... n-drop-bar
As for which tape, I like Fizik Microtex, easy to apply and even the white is quite easy to keep clean. I have also had good results with Cinelli Cork, but it does get grubby, and Brooks leather is nice but needs to be looked after and put on carefully. I don't like gel pads, or Lizard Skins tape but personal preference ...0 -
I've just used that parktool link posted by danmitch to fit my bar tape a couple of days ago. You really can't go wrong if you read it through first and follow it to the letter. I always used to get my LBS to do mine, but having done the job once I would now always do it myself, it's an easy job that just requires a little patience and a good eye for detail to get it consistently even all the way around.
A few tips though - don't cut the tape until you have wrapped both sides, so you can get them exactly equal. And make sure you have a 10mm overlap at the end of the bar to fold in before you fit the bar ends. Don't use the finishing tape that comes with the product, use good quality electrical tape instead, it adheres better.
I haven't fitted gel pads, but some people swear by them. I used Lizard Skins dual colour bar tape, which for me is a very good balance of grip and cushioning. I can't comment on durability yet, but I'm very happy with the finished product.Ridley Orion0 -
Cinelli gel cork for me. Easy to fit, lasts ages, nice and comfy.0
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Agree on using electrical tape over the supplied stuff. Just dont be afraid to tug it tight, every turn around the bar. Most novices don't pull it tight enough. You can easily remove it & keep attempting it as you go so ther isnt really any need to get it wrong. As said, only trim the end off when you are totally satisfied & both sides are matching/symmetrical.0
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Thanks for the input everyone.0
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I'm another fan of Fizik tape. Durable and the stickyness is good enough that you can undo and redo your wrapping if you need to.
I'd also advise looking on YouTube for bar wrapping videos (partucularly mastering the figure 8 rather than using the extra little bits of tape). There are some great demo's on there.0 -
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...s-works classic tape is the best I have used, better than the fizik stuff (which similar stuff isnt very stretchy so makes it harder to wrap), shame it's so expensive.0
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There are lots of videos on youtube that can help you, it really isn't that difficult.
I try to avoid light colours though as it shows all the muck. The white I used to have was rubbish.
I have some Condor bar tape that's fine but I've read lots of good reviews about Fizik.
You don't need gel pads, just wear cycling gloves and ride often.0 -
It's expensive, but since trying the lizard skin tape, I'm never going back to anything else. Grip, comfort and vibration absorption without feeling like youre holding on to a tree trunk - But then I have small hands so finding a balance is difficultWe're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
ddraver wrote:It's expensive, but since trying the lizard skin tape, I'm never going back to anything else. Grip, comfort and vibration absorption without feeling like youre holding on to a tree trunk - But then I have small hands so finding a balance is difficult
I've just bought some so I know who to blame if I hate it!0 -
I've used and like the microtex, but I have also used the lizard skins dsp on my best bike and prefer the dsp.0
