Recommend me some bar tape

holiver
holiver Posts: 729
edited February 2015 in Road buying advice
I replaced the handlebars on my Kinesis today with some that are more compact and have decided the bar tape is a little tired and could do with replacing. I have been using the Fizik Performance bar tape linked below and have been pretty happy with it.

http://www.fizik.it/accessories/bar-tapes/performance

Can anyone recommend some alternative tape that is comfortable ( the Fizik is 3mm), grippy and weatherproof or am I best sticking with the what I currently use?

Oh and some tape that doesn't leave sticky stuff all over the bars!
2013 Kinesis Racelight T2

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Lizard Skins (2.5mm) is really good, but its not cheap.

    A cheaper alternative is FWE Vex Gel Bar Tape from Evans. I have not been using it for long but it feels very similar and I prefer the matt finish to the semi gloss Lizard Skins.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Cinelli cork ribbon does everything you want it to.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Lizard Skins here too.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,391
    Its all about dat lizard skin

    no fizik
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    Lizard Skins 2.5mm provides ample padding for me and gets my vote. Added bonus of having great grip in the wet.

    Peter
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    OK so Lizard Skins is getting the vote of confidence and I do have some of their MTB grips on my Scandal.

    Has anyone tried the Selle Italia Smootape, specifically the Controlo version?

    http://www.selleitalia.com/en/prodotti/ ... _bar-tape/
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • bontie
    bontie Posts: 177
    Smootape looks interesting.
    No one has mentioned cinelli vollee/tennis tape. It seems to tick all the boxes you mention
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    Zipp Service course CX tape. Similar to Lizard Skins but way cheaper. Comfy and grippy, even in the wet.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/zipp ... lsrc=aw.ds
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    I can't tell the difference between this and the Lizard Skins (apart from being half the price!):

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... oCgU3w_wcB
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • kingofthetailwind
    kingofthetailwind Posts: 575
    jordan_217 wrote:
    I can't tell the difference between this and the Lizard Skins (apart from being half the price!):

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... oCgU3w_wcB

    The Arundel Gecko tape on my winter bike lasted two months before the surface started to peel off. It was great up until that point!
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    I tried lizard skins last time and found it very difficult to get it to stay in place once wrapped and it wore out quicker so I'm back to Spesh Roubaix tape.
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    KingOfTheTailwind wrote:
    jordan_217 wrote:
    I can't tell the difference between this and the Lizard Skins (apart from being half the price!):

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... oCgU3w_wcB

    The Arundel Gecko tape on my winter bike lasted two months before the surface started to peel off. It was great up until that point!

    It's fitted to all my bikes . It's been on my Enigma for over a year, never had a problem with it.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    I've decided to go with the Smootape and will report back with feedback.

    Thanks for all the suggestions. Something to bear in mind for next time!
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • rnath
    rnath Posts: 176
    wishitwasallflat wrote:
    I tried lizard skins last time and found it very difficult to get it to stay in place once wrapped and it wore out quicker so I'm back to Spesh Roubaix tape.

    Yep... really like the Roubaix tape - very comfy wet and dry, and seems to be very hard wearing.
  • Slo Mo Jones
    Slo Mo Jones Posts: 272
    It's bar tape.
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,803
    Lizard Skins - the GP4000S and Castelli Gabba of bar tape.

    Fizik Performance all the way.
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    The Smootape arrived today. Sadly the Selle Italia branding on it is highlighted in white, which I am not a fan of.

    I will send it back and get some Zipp Service Course CX instead.
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    The Service Course CX tape arrived today - great service from Merlin!

    It seems much more like what I am after. It certainly seems grippy on the roll, but appears to be quite soft so I don't know how long lasting it will be in comparison to the Fizik Performance which is pretty tough.
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • mugensi
    mugensi Posts: 559
    I have Zipp CX tape on my bikes and find it very hard wearing. Its been on my good bike for roughly 2500kms now and still looks like brand new and has retained its spongy yet firm feeling. I have since fitted it to my winter bike and although its only been on a few months, its been soaked several times and is still perfect. I'd highly recommend it.
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    I'm a fan of Lizard Skins but recently tried Supacaz which I really like.
    http://www.supacaz.com

Categories