What is the cool kid bar tape these days

[stephenmarklay]

I am not sure I want handlebra expense but I am wondering what you guys love.

[josephr]

Fizik.

[beeatnik]

Kay Danse

[pgrizzwald]

supacaz

[FlashUNC]

Fizik 2mm. Regular microtex, none of that velvet or suede feeling nonsense.

[Lewis Moon]

Fizik 2mm. Regular microtex, none of that velvet or suede feeling nonsense.

The stuff just plain works...and for cheapies.

[buldogge]

+1 million and 1.

Reasonably tough AND comfy, wraps nice, plenty of colors, and $12-20 roll...Why look anywhere else?

-Mark in St. Louis

Fizik 2mm. Regular microtex, none of that velvet or suede feeling nonsense.

[tumbler]

Cool kids don't use tape. Adds too much weight and screws up the carefully constructed aesthetic.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/genofobic2/DSC_5557.jpg

[buldogge]

Too bad...he could've match his handlebar tape to his finger splint tape!

-Mark

Cool kids don't use tape. Adds too much weight and screws up the carefully constructed aesthetic.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/genofobic2/DSC_5557.jpg

[saab2000]

Fizik. The thickest stuff they make. It looks good, feels great and it's durable.

[tlittlefield]

Another vote for Fizik :hello:

[dave thompson]

NFS and HandleBra are my two favorites.

[Dead Man]

I been going bold lately

Fluoro on the Quantum, gold on the Classic

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab6/bkb0000/IMG_28901_zpswlnzwtwf.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab6/bkb0000/IMG_29331_zpsr4g0lrmf.jpg

Both are just thin/cheap Deda... $15ish at the LBS

I don't like thick or padded tape.

Whatever you do, don't buy Lizard Skins (OH I WENT THERE)

[sandyrs]

Fizik 2mm. Regular microtex, none of that velvet or suede feeling nonsense.

I also appreciate that it just comes in single solid colors. I don't think printed or multi color tape has ever looked good and I will stand by that hot take to the grave.

[EA120711]

+1 for Fizik as well but this is the best tape that I've used so far.
http://www.pro-bikegear.com/en-gb/catalogue/accessories/102/grips-and-tapes/prta0003_main/digital-carbon-smart------------silicon-handlebar-tape----------

[chiasticon]

what I use: black lizard skin 2.5 (medium) thickness. from the uk so the price is stomach-able.

cool kids: I dunno...rapha/cinelli?

[Seramount]

Fizik 2mm.

stuff is indestructible...current wrap has been on for 17 months, no curled edges, still washes up nicely.

[Dead Man]

Fizik 2mm.

stuff is indestructible...current wrap has been on for 17 months, no curled edges, still washes up nicely.

Do you pre-wrap your bars or anything? Can be no bueno to leave tape on that long.... can corrode the bars to the point of failure.

Can. Can also not.

[Mzilliox]

I recently got some Rav X bar tape, comes in cool 2 tone colors and has a nice thickness and feel. wraps nice with just the right amount of stretch. If you need a complementary color, they do that. I picked up black with yellow perf holes and red with black perf holes. both look pretty sharp.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/26819526546_955235f9fe_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GRX5S7)Eriksen new bars (https://flic.kr/p/GRX5S7) by Matt.zilliox (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41573599@N06/), on Flickr

i also like the Cinelli Caleido tape which comes in black or white and has multi colored perf holes.

[ptourkin]

what I use: black lizard skin 2.5 (medium) thickness. from the uk so the price is stomach-able.

cool kids: I dunno...rapha/cinelli?

Correct: http://theradavist.com/2015/03/did-you-reach-for-the-manual-for-speed-bartape/

http://images.bigcartel.com/product_images/155084020/20150320_BarTape_075.jpg?fit=max&h=1000&w=1000

[stephenmarklay]

Wow pretty unanimous here!

[bbobway]

I like the look of cotton tape, thinking of trying it next.

[buckfifty]

just wrapped my bars with this and my initial reactions aren't that great. It's based off Cinelli Ribbon tape and it's not too pliable and stretchy so you have to be careful around bends to get full coverage. On top of that, it's short. Haven't had a chance to ride them, but the feel is good. Has enough sponginess to it without being too girthy

Correct: http://theradavist.com/2015/03/did-you-reach-for-the-manual-for-speed-bartape/

http://images.bigcartel.com/product_images/155084020/20150320_BarTape_075.jpg?fit=max&h=1000&w=1000

[sandyrs]

Correct: http://theradavist.com/2015/03/did-you-reach-for-the-manual-for-speed-bartape/

http://images.bigcartel.com/product_images/155084020/20150320_BarTape_075.jpg?fit=max&h=1000&w=1000

Well see the problem with that tape is that it looks terrible when it's actually on the bike.

*ducks out of the room dodging garbage thrown by the jeering crowd, clutching this hot take close to his chest*

[stephenmarklay]

Fizik 2mm. Regular microtex, none of that velvet or suede feeling nonsense.

I think they call that classic.

[Seramount]

Do you pre-wrap your bars or anything? Can be no bueno to leave tape on that long.... can corrode the bars to the point of failure.

Can. Can also not.

nope, I just wrap the bars directly, have never put anything underneath the tape...

fwiw, just removed the old tape after playing tag with a car a couple of weeks ago. wanted to see if the bars had suffered any damage.

they looked fine and not a spec of corrosion. there was some adhesive from previous wrap jobs, but a little WD-40 and GooGone took care of that pretty easily.

if the tape hadn't been scuffed up where it scraped the pavement, I might have even been tempted to re-install it.

[nate2351]

Lizard Skin in gray scale (urban) camo

[stephenmarklay]

Ok I picked some up!

[OtayBW]

Stick in the mud here: still like the feel of plain ole Cinelli cork the best, usually with a thin layer of hockey tape as underlayment....:banana:

[EDS]

Arundel Gecko Grip.

[adamhell]

raw newbaums (no shellac)

[Black Dog]

Now if all the tape makers could sell a role that was not always too short! Sheesh, can a few extra inches really be that bad for the bottom line.

Fizik soft touch user here. Love the velvety grip.

[wpod]

Happy fi'zi:k Superlight Classic user here. Durable and easy to clean/maintain.

[Louis]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e6/81/be/e681be0c93d23b5365c4c7515173b814.jpg

[sokyroadie]

HandleBra - it lasts forever.

Jeff

[jlwdm]

Arundel.

As mentioned before bar tape should always be a solid color.

Jeff

[Dead Man]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e6/81/be/e681be0c93d23b5365c4c7515173b814.jpg

Someone found my childhood PlayDoh stash and pressed it into bar tape

[cadence90]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/joey_toaster/benottocellotape.jpg


Not really: Fizik 2mm Classic all the way.

[Seramount]

Someone found my childhood PlayDoh stash and pressed it into bar tape

http://raydobbins.com/splash/splash.htm

[Elefantino]

Handlebra©.

My first order lasted 7 years with several re-wrappings among the way. I could still reuse it if I had a bike that went with green.

It's that good.

-Signed,
A Cool Kid

[Matthew]

Just put Bontrager gel tape on all of my road bikes. It's a little thicker but so far I am very happy with it. Comes in lots of colors and has a nice feel.

[dalava]

Fizik here: either the superlight softtouch or regular.

The fact is that we cyclists, from time to time, wonder about what's out there and/or experiment with colors; but at the end of the day, you always go back to what works: black Fizik tapes. They just work for every bike.

[paredown]

Stick in the mud here: still like the feel of plain ole Cinelli cork the best, usually with a thin layer of hockey tape as underlayment....:banana:

I'm even more of a throwback--and decidedly not a cool kid--I like Cinelli Splash--the gaudier the better!

I was getting it cheap on the 'Bay because it does have a lot of haters. Ray Dobbins does great restos, but he is wrong, wrong, wrong about Splash tape.

Tried Deda--it was OK.

[CNY rider]

I'm even more of a throwback--and decidedly not a cool kid--I like Cinelli Splash--the gaudier the better!

I was getting it cheap on the 'Bay because it does have a lot of haters. Ray Dobbins does great restos, but he is wrong, wrong, wrong about Splash tape.

Tried Deda--it was OK.

I have a NOS roll of that in the basement.
Absolutely heinous.
Shoot me your address and I'll get it right out to you.

[Louis]

When I put "splash handlebar tape" in the Google image search Image #23 that comes up shows a very famous person well known to all on this forum:

I'll give you a hint: think "Zebra!!!"

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=702&q=splash+bar+tape&oq=splash+bar+tape&gs_l=img.3..0.1968.6074.0.6315.19.17.2.0.0.0.149.1 528.3j11.14.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..3.16.1536...0i1 0j0i30j0i8i30.gE6XuYjs6MY#hl=en&authuser=0&tbm=isch&q=splash+handlebar+tape

[Llewellyn]

Handlebra - the older it gets, the better it looks :hello:

[paredown]

Duplicate post

[dave thompson]

When I put "splash handlebar tape" in the Google image search Image #23 that comes up shows a very famous person well known to all on this forum:

I'll give you a hint: think "Zebra!!!"

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=702&q=splash+bar+tape&oq=splash+bar+tape&gs_l=img.3..0.1968.6074.0.6315.19.17.2.0.0.0.149.1 528.3j11.14.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..3.16.1536...0i1 0j0i30j0i8i30.gE6XuYjs6MY#hl=en&authuser=0&tbm=isch&q=splash+handlebar+tape

Ow! Dimmint Louis, I can't unsee that. I need a tequila.

[paredown]

When I put "splash handlebar tape" in the Google image search Image #23 that comes up shows a very famous person well known to all on this forum:

I'll give you a hint: think "Zebra!!!"

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=702&q=splash+bar+tape&oq=splash+bar+tape&gs_l=img.3..0.1968.6074.0.6315.19.17.2.0.0.0.149.1 528.3j11.14.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..3.16.1536...0i1 0j0i30j0i8i30.gE6XuYjs6MY#hl=en&authuser=0&tbm=isch&q=splash+handlebar+tape
Not this dude?
(we've been here before! http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=89961&page=3 )

[Birddog]

I just wrapped some bars with Fabric brand bar tape. It is plenty long, stretchy and very cushy. It's the easiest to use tape I've ever had. Someone mentioned Arundel Gecko; it is easily the hardest tape to apply Ive used, it doesn't like curves.

[Russian bear]

No love for Cinelli cork? Classic and comfy.

[Hank Scorpio]

I have the Zevlin NFS on one bike nice and sticky. I tried the new grippy style of Velox, what a total pile of monkey balls. I think it lasted two rides before separating

[purpurite]

I used Salsa Gel Cork on the CX and I really love it. I've used Deda, Cinelli and others before, and I would buy this stuff again. Might have to try the Fizik stuff, though, if so many think so highly of it.

Re: Ray Dobbins - I love how cyclists are all self-appointed fashion gurus and commandment writers, when most of the outside world looks at us and thinks, "you're a complete moron."

[Slow Eddie]

I have a roll of 3mm fizik waiting for my next build project; most of the rest wear Cinelli cork, but one bike has ESI RCT wrap and, I gotta say, it's pretty awesome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[azrider]

The cool kid bar tape is the tape that came with the bike.

jus sayin


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/635/23367946741_b38b6c346c_b.jpg

[OtayBW]

No love for Cinelli cork? Classic and comfy.Yes - Posted above.

[cmbicycles]

I liked the shimano/pro tape, still have some stashed so haven't tried much else lately. From working in a shop, Arundel was a little awkward to wrap around bends but had a decent feel, lizard skin was worse and weird texture that I didn't like. Fizik is good as has been mentioned, cinelli was good but coukd be fragile and I always hated the sticky tape when removing... dislike removing the sticky tape on any bar wrap for that matter. I have some leather wrap I plan to try but waiting for the right saddle to match... might have to talk to one of our sponsors when the time comes.

[AngryScientist]

zipp service course cx for me.

[Schmed]

Duct tape. Or tennis racquet grip tape if you are feeling frisky.

[stephenmarklay]

The cool kid bar tape is the tape that came with the bike.

jus sayin


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/635/23367946741_b38b6c346c_b.jpg


Yep and I just ordered dark gray. I am swapping out bars for wider and I was not sure it would be long enough. I liked the look and this thread confirmed you are in the know :hello:

[MaraudingWalrus]

I wrapped some bars with the new Arundel Rubber Gecko tape recently, I like it. Can't quite put my finger on what else it feels like.

I like Arundel's new Synth Gecko, also. It seems like a slightly thinner, and somewhat textured, version of ESI's Silicone tape, which I already quite like. Both smell funky coming out of packaging though.

Most customers seem happy with the Zipp CX tapes.

I liked the SRAM SuperCork I wrapped with recently, also.

I also harlequin wrapped with some cloth tape recently. Newbaum's for the white, Cateye for the black. Liked the Cateye better. shellaced it after. Think I liked it better pre-shellac.

[oldpotatoe]

Wide, easy to use, comfy, durable.

http://www.zevlin.com/

[fuzzalow]

Bar tape? Cinelli solid color cork. Same as has been around and in use for decades.

Cool kid? Ha! Dunno the meaning of cool as far as how they are. I DO know one meaning of cool as far as how they ride is bars wrapped in white with smudges and wear in the hooks that show cool kid can actually ride the drops.

[guido]

Cinelli Gel Cork. Two layers with Fizik gel in between. Long distance comfort.

[mktng]

double up on 3mm fizik!

:P

3mm fizik tape is awesome.
2mm if youre not totally into the thicker tape

[bicycletricycle]

I know you had a cost limit put on this, but interestingly, I think that leather tapes are the cheapest, it lasts a really long time, years and years and years of riding and all my brooks stuff still looks nice.

Not very cushy though.

[djg21]

I know you had a cost limit put on this, but interestingly, I think that leather tapes are the cheapest, it lasts a really long time, years and years and years of riding and all my brooks stuff still looks nice.

Not very cushy though.

I agree with this. Ray's HandleBra is great and lasts a long time -- 3 seasons last time. I hate gloves and have decent-sized hands. I use Handlebra over Fizik Bar Gel, which I wrap with hockey tape as per Ray's instructions. This gives me a wider bar that is incredibly comfortable and the bar wrap stays put. I clean the wrap from time-to-time with leather cleaner and spray with 303 UV protectant and the stuff looks new and lasts for multiple seasons. In the long run, I save money because I don't need to replace the wrap often.

[jmoore]

Wide, easy to use, comfy, durable.

http://www.zevlin.com/

I have not used their wrap, but I met them at a show last fall. Good guys and they are a small company. So if you want to support a small business, you could do a lot worse than trying out some of their stuff.


Personally I have Handlebra on my 3 main bikes. It's expensive but it is durable and looks great. I wrap over a layer of tennis racket tape or cloth tape to give it just a bit of cushioning.

[stephenmarklay]

I know you had a cost limit put on this, but interestingly, I think that leather tapes are the cheapest, it lasts a really long time, years and years and years of riding and all my brooks stuff still looks nice.

Not very cushy though.

That is certainly not out of the question. Once I get the bike to the point I am not going to change it up I may invest.

[bironi]

Not this dude?
(we've been here before! http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=89961&page=3 )

Which Halloween was that?

[cash05458]

another vote for Handelbra...I have it on all 5 of my bikes...not just coolkid....but it really lasts and lasts and becomes something...

[tuscanyswe]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1719/26575247611_d9749df7e0_b.jpg

This is my new favorite. From busyman. Its not as harsh as a brooks tape but its not as soft nore as thin as the early handlebra (havent bought a roll of hb in a while and i think i remember the early ones beeing thinner than perhaps the current rolls?).

[classtimesailer]

Velox Tressostar. Recently went from white to black and got some new black Velox plugs to go with. I think I'm cool. I left some of the brake lever band showing for super coolness.

[Elefantino]

I used to wrap my bars once a year with new tape.

Ray's was on one bike for 7 years and is still useable. Do the math.

Plus, it was born on the Forum!

[livingminimal]

Haven't been all the way through this thread, but I really love Rapha bar tape.

[Frankwurst]

Still HandleBra for me. :beer:

[franswa]

zipp service course cx for me.

This.

[Black Dog]

Fizik here: either the superlight softtouch or regular.

The fact is that we cyclists, from time to time, wonder about what's out there and/or experiment with colors; but at the end of the day, you always go back to what works: black Fizik tapes. They just work for every bike.

So true...:D

[Black Dog]

I used to wrap my bars once a year with new tape.

Ray's was on one bike for 7 years and is still useable. Do the math.

Plus, it was born on the Forum!

There is a lot of truth to this. Handlebra is going to be the next tape on my bars.

[William]

Yup, my HandleBra clad bars are still rocking and look good after five or six years and many many miles. The color is still nice and strong. Hard to be that high end leather.








William

[zap]

fizik 2mm. Regular microtex, none of that velvet or suede feeling nonsense.

+103

[soulspinner]

Cinelli Gel Cork. Two layers with Fizik gel in between. Long distance comfort.

Just the Cinelli gel cork for me with good gel gloves.

[stephenmarklay]

From this I think Fizik and if it is going to be a long term bike Handlebar...

[bloody sunday]

fizik glossy black all the way

[Ronsonic]

I'm following all the opinions here, but just don't keep tape on long enough to be concerned. Maybe, one day, I'll have a bike set up just so with perfect, awesome levers and perfect, awesome fit and I'll know exactly what type and color of tape I want and then it will matter.

I grew up with Benotto, dirt cheap and a bunch of colors and went on easy. I'd change colors and do patterns just for grins. Really weak in the padding department.

[merckx]

I wrapped some bars with the new Arundel Rubber Gecko tape recently, I like it. Can't quite put my finger on what else it feels like.

I like Arundel's new Synth Gecko, also. It seems like a slightly thinner, and somewhat textured, version of ESI's Silicone tape, which I already quite like. Both smell funky coming out of packaging though.

Most customers seem happy with the Zipp CX tapes.

I liked the SRAM SuperCork I wrapped with recently, also.

I also harlequin wrapped with some cloth tape recently. Newbaum's for the white, Cateye for the black. Liked the Cateye better. shellaced it after. Think I liked it better pre-shellac.

Where did you get the Synth Gecko tape? Would love to try some.

[MaraudingWalrus]

Where did you get the Synth Gecko tape? Would love to try some.



I work at a shop, so, from our bar tape shelf. But, at least in the states arundel goes dealer direct, and there's not a rigorous deserve application process. So, call your local shop and see if they'll getcha some? I think arundel might sell on their website, if not

[don'TreadOnMe]

House Industries
http://www.houseind.com/objects/velo/housevelocinellivoleebartape

[victoryfactory]

Benotto was the naz in 1978.
Hard, slick and shiny.

VF

[beeatnik]

super groovy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BF6nP5KK9KA/?taken-by=manualforspeed

[MaraudingWalrus]

super groovy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BF6nP5KK9KA/?taken-by=manualforspeed

I meant to grab some of that for my Macaframa, as the colors would match nicely. Didn't ever do it. Shame.

[steveoz]

I'll never get back the 40$ for the crappy Lizard skin - really like the Easton microfiber tape - my LBS shop owner hoarded a bunch when he heard Easton was going through more corporate changes..

[crankles]

This. I loved lizard skins, it when i first put it on, but the white quickly yellowed, then it started coming apart. I sent them some pics. THey sent me another roll. Same thing. Stuff just doesn't hold up and is $$$. I have some Handbra on a road bike and love it. It's spendy, but is lasting a loooong time. The cross bikes get fizik or deda because they tend to hit the deck a bit more.

I'll never get back the 40$ for the crappy Lizard skin

[wallymann]

nicely padded, comfy but not mushy, grippy even when wet, and durable.

i'm a lifelong cinelli cork guy, then convert to cinelli cork-gel, i've since made the transition to this stuff across-the-board.

https://www.bike24.com/i/p/1/5/29351_00_d.jpg

[efaust_o]

I'll come out and say it....Lizard Skin is the worst tape I have used. Slick as snot when wet and wears like toilet paper in a rain storm! I got it on a custom built bike. Can't believe the builder would use something like that.

[dave thompson]

I'll come out and say it....Lizard Skin is the worst tape I have used. Slick as snot when wet and wears like toilet paper in a rain storm! I got it on a custom built bike. Can't believe the builder would use something like that.
To each his/her own. My wife rides long-distance, had Lizard Skin on her bike for a year and liked it, no issues. This year I equipped her bike with NFS tape and she likes it too. YMMV

[skiezo]

I currently have Pro Logo on both of my bikes and really like the grip and thickness.

[zrossiter]

fizik superlight bartape is the only one that actually feels good to me, everything else is too tacky, too much padding, etc.

[Bob Ross]

I don't think printed or multi color tape has ever looked good and I will stand by that hot take to the grave.

We can hang.

[bobdenver1961]

I really like 3mm Fizik Performance Tape.

[adub]

I'll come out and say it....Lizard Skin is the worst tape I have used. Slick as snot when wet and wears like toilet paper in a rain storm! I got it on a custom built bike. Can't believe the builder would use something like that.

I hate wearing gloves and love the lizard skin.