Bar Tape

stuart_c-2

Right,

Looking to replace the rather grubby tape on my Felt (going from white to black for the fashion conscious) and have no idea where to start. Current tape is Felt own brand so would assume I can't just get black equivalent, have been very happy with comfort over the last 3 years.

Where to start? I understand tape choice can be personal, but you can't really test it out like you can a saddle, so going to see what gets most advised.

Have seen Cinelli cork, Lizard Skin and Zipp well spoken of, any views on Fizik tapes?

Thanks in advance.

Stuart

wotnoshoeseh

Deda on Wiggle (I think).
Very cheap and decent!!

Philby

Put black Cinelli cork tape on my bike earlier this year. Much thicker than the tape it replaced, has a squashy feel, and feels much grippier in my hand.

smoggysteve

Most bike shops that sell tape have a sample roll where you can feel the texture before you buy. After using God knows how many different brands I found Fizik do some of the best. Selle Italia is good for damping vibration if you get the thicker smootape, but if fiddly getting the caps on the end after wrapping as its quite thick.

matt-h

If you can stomach the price the lizard skins DSP 3.2mm is the best I've used. Supper grippy in the wet and very comfy.

Matt

bendertherobot

The Zipp CX Service Course (on Merlin) is lovely

ai_1

matt-h wrote:

If you can stomach the price the lizard skins DSP 3.2mm is the best I've used. Supper grippy in the wet and very comfy.

Matt

I've just put the standard thickness Lizard Skins DSP tape (2.5mm?) on my bike. I considered the 3.2mm but thought it might be overkill. I've only done a few rides but I'm fairly happy so far. It's definitely grippy. I don't find it as cushioned as I expected - maybe the 3.2mm would be better in that respect. I think it may be too soft since the cushioning seems to bottom out relatively quickly. Still I'm pretty happy with it so far and will see how I feel after some more longer rides.
I've mostly used cork type tapes previously. Ritchey Pro Cork is cheap, easy to apply, looks pretty good and I found it very comfortable. It can be a bit slippy on bare hands when wet but not a problem if you're using gloves.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... itchbtp200

hammond1975

I have always used the Bontrager tape, it is padded and really helps with comfort, Deda is also a good choice but is a little thinner.

rafletcher

For a comfort wrap, use Bar Phat pads then tape over with a basic tape, or a cork one for added damping.

arlowood

Have used Bontrager Gel Tape on all my builds. Wraps well and has excellent feel and comfort levels.

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bontrage ... wgodPHcAQA

As a "belt and braces"exercise I also bought a pack of the Iso gel padding which is applied under the normal gel tape for that extra comfort factor.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bontra ... ape-p94996

Works well for me

skyeflyguy

bendertherobot wrote:

The Zipp CX Service Course (on Merlin) is lovely

+1 for this.

ai_1

hammond1975 wrote:

I have always used the Bontrager tape, it is padded and really helps with comfort, Deda is also a good choice but is a little thinner.

I've used this too and found it fine. I didn't notice any difference between this and the Ritchey Pro Cork. As far as I remember they seemed virtually identical with the exception of being embossed with different logos. I prefer the Ritchey bar ends and I was able to find it cheaper (Ribble per my link in previous post) so that's what I used.
I've never used the Deda. I considered it but the reviews were less favourable than the others mentioned - I seem to remember everyone saying they were a bit stingy on the quantity provided so might be a problem if you have large handlebars, double wrap, use gel pads underneath, etc...

dwanes

I used to use this back in the 80's, Quality

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh- ... 63766.html

Big Geordie

dwanes wrote:

I used to use this back in the 80's, Quality

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh- ... 63766.html

Used to be branded "Grab On" and was marketed as "closed cell handlebar foam". It is actually pretty good stuff although it looks a bit retro now. I had some blue ones on a Bob Jackson tourer and it was great, apart from the blue colour coming off on my hands in the rain!

mugensi

Felt tape is rebranded Prologo Double touch as far as i can make out, identical in design/shape and feel except for the logos however if you really want original felt tape buy it here >> http://www.felt-stuff.com/parts/gel-han ... black.html

I use Zipp SC CX tape, absolutely beautiful feel and look and very easily cleaned, have it on both my bikes.

northpole

Lizard Skins is head and shoulders the best tape I've used. I have the 2.5mm version. Not sure about the degree of padding offered but I think my perception of this is largely a function of the mitts/ gloves being worn. Works perfectly for me. The price sucks but that's the only downside I've found.

Peter

Anonymous

Another Lizard Skin fan here :P

stuart_c-2

MugenSi wrote:

Felt tape is rebranded Prologo Double touch as far as i can make out, identical in design/shape and feel except for the logos however if you really want original felt tape buy it here >> http://www.felt-stuff.com/parts/gel-han ... black.html

I use Zipp SC CX tape, absolutely beautiful feel and look and very easily cleaned, have it on both my bikes.

Ah, the Prologo could well be a good option then if it is basically the same. I have even seen some in black with red branding (again just for the fashion conscious, bike is black with red bits).

Will get to some shops and start doing some feeling up.

Thanks

passout

I like this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/pro- ... lsrc=aw.ds

shing83

northpole wrote:

Lizard Skins is head and shoulders the best tape I've used. I have the 2.5mm version. Not sure about the degree of padding offered but I think my perception of this is largely a function of the mitts/ gloves being worn. Works perfectly for me. The price sucks but that's the only downside I've found.

Peter

+1 for lizard skins. I used it on my new build, I was hesitant at first as it was expensive, but since taking the plunge, the different from the old cork tape I used previously was night and day. It's really comfy, and grippy as well with/without gloves. I feel more confident weaving through traffic without the need to have a deathgrip on handlebars worrying about my hands slipping off which made me more tense previously.

kingofthetailwind

Arundel Gecko is a good alternative to Lizard Skins, if you're on a budget.

thegreatdivide

Fizik Performance Soft Touch (black) on the good bikes and Performance Classic (black) on the winter bike. They do the job perfectly well.

Fishboyz

Lizard Skin....in black though (white impossible to clean), lasts well...cant be tight when it comes to contact areas!

Coach H

Cinelli Cork Gel (in Black, obviously). Currently a £10er on Wiggle http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cinelli-gel-cork-bar-tape/

Below the hoods you line up the Flying C logos for the looks and (more importantly) perfect tension. No horrible sticky stuff either, just a silicone strip, so you can lose hours re-taping bits to get it absolutely perfect.

johnnymcg259

skyeflyguy wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

The Zipp CX Service Course (on Merlin) is lovely

+1 for this.

ditto

DKay

Philby wrote:

Put black Cinelli cork tape on my bike earlier this year. Much thicker than the tape it replaced, has a squashy feel, and feels much grippier in my hand.

I like Cinelli cork bar tape too, until you need to replace it. When you pull it off, it leaves behind tons of residue and stuck on bits which are a complete b'stard to remove.

Lizard Skins DSP 3.2mm is on my bikes now.

dabber

I'd been using the Cinelli Cork tape for the last year but a few weeks ago I changed to Selle Italia Smootape Controllo Gel.

So far so good. I rather like it. It went on quite easily and has a solid but cushioned feel and good grip.