What is your favorite white bar tape?

[franswa]

I typically use Zipp Service Course CX bar tape(non-white) and got some in white recently, only to find out it's not quite the same. The white I received is a cork-like material and doesn't wrap as nicely or feel as luxurious. What do you use? Add photographic evidence of yours if you can please :banana:

[vav]

Fizik.

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5670/29835507523_a4ae41ee01_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MssLW8)20161021_084922 (https://flic.kr/p/MssLW8) by VIAR VAPA (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63560619@N06/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3717/9673559209_f9591f5ad6_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJPw8B)DSC05129 (https://flic.kr/p/fJPw8B) by VIAR VAPA (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63560619@N06/), on Flickr

[bobdenver1961]

Fizik +1

[pdmtong]

Fizik

[Cicli]

Cheap ass Cinelli.

[Ed-B]

Lizard Skin

[franswa]

Fizik.

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5670/29835507523_a4ae41ee01_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MssLW8)20161021_084922 (https://flic.kr/p/MssLW8) by VIAR VAPA (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63560619@N06/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3717/9673559209_f9591f5ad6_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJPw8B)DSC05129 (https://flic.kr/p/fJPw8B) by VIAR VAPA (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63560619@N06/), on Flickr

Any specific Fizik offering? I know they have a few. From your pictures it appears that the padding is somewhat minimal? That Zanconato looks like a really fun ride.

[franswa]

Fizik +1

Fizik

I was prepared for an overwhelming vote for Fizik. Have either of you tried the Fizik Endurance Soft Touch Microtex?

[franswa]

Cheap ass Cinelli.

Cork, eh? I've tried cork in the past, though, I can't remember which brand. I didn't like how easily it got dirty and showed just how little I ride in the drops.

[Cicli]

Cork, eh? I've tried cork in the past, though, I can't remember which brand. I didn't like how easily it got dirty and showed just how little I ride in the drops.

Yeah, it dirties fast. I just pit up with it.
I used to like the Salsa cork stuff but its hard to find these days.

[dave thompson]

HandleBra. http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=1909332&postcount=11

[rccardr]

Nashbar house brand, around $7 to do both sides. Lasts for years, easy to clean, no distracting logos.

[regularguy412]

Spec-Ed Roubaix S-Wrap. Easily cleaned and it lasts quite well.

Mike in AR:beer:

[Mackers]

Fizik Tacky Touch Microtex

[Dead Man]

Kinda surprised I'm saying anything positive about Performance, but their $15 grippy white Forte tape is pretty bad ass. I grabbed some in an emergency on my way to a race and threw it on in the parking lot 10 minutes before the start whistle.... Couldn't believe how well that stuff felt and gripped wet/muddy (CX). I'd probably keep rocking it, but I later tore it in a crash and there's no Performance anywhere near my town.

Stuff feels like Lizard Skin, but is single-ply and cheap.

Edit... Can't say how well it cleaned up, but I wouldn't worry about that man.. White tape looks dope even dingy. Just makes it look like you ride the bike. But FYI I did white tape all the way through two series of CX season and everything but PRO tape cleaned up just fine after the races.

That PRO tape felt nice, but holy **** it got dirty- like a mud sponge. Was going too far even for me.

[franswa]

HandleBra. http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=1909332&postcount=11

Do you have any personal experience comparing handlebra with Brooks wrap? I had Brooks on one of my bikes in the past and ended up switching out because of the lack of padding.

[franswa]

Nashbar house brand, around $7 to do both sides. Lasts for years, easy to clean, no distracting logos.

I'm not particularly distracted by logos on bar tape as my focus tends to be on the road ahead. But for $7 it may be worth a try. Closed cell foam is not something I am familiar with. How do you clean yours?

[franswa]

Spec-Ed Roubaix S-Wrap. Easily cleaned and it lasts quite well.

Mike in AR:beer:

Ah yes, I recall reading good things about that tape. Reminds me of tennis racket grip wrap. Thanks for the reminder.

[franswa]

Fizik Tacky Touch Microtex

That's the one I've been considering over the last few days....is it easy to wrap? How is the comfort? Do you ride with or without gloves?

[bluesea]

The original Fizik 2mm Microtex, which they appear to have unfortunately dropped from their line.

[franswa]

Kinda surprised I'm saying anything positive about Performance, but their $15 grippy white Forte tape is pretty bad ass. I grabbed some in an emergency on my way to a race and threw it on in the parking lot 10 minutes before the start whistle.... Couldn't believe how well that stuff felt and gripped wet/muddy (CX). I'd probably keep rocking it, but I later tore it in a crash and there's no Performance anywhere near my town.

Stuff feels like Lizard Skin, but is single-ply and cheap.

Edit... Can't say how well it cleaned up, but I wouldn't worry about that man.. White tape looks dope even dingy. Just makes it look like you ride the bike. But FYI I did white tape all the way through two series of CX season and everything but PRO tape cleaned up just fine after the races.

That PRO tape felt nice, but holy **** it got dirty- like a mud sponge. Was going too far even for me.

You know, I actually did try some of that forte tape out a long time ago and do remember it exceeding expectations. Plus, having my initials branded all over is a nice touch.

I have a set of the PRO tape in my amazon cart! Glad you mentioned how dirty it gets. I am not unrealistic and I know white tape is just going to get dirtier, faster. I just don't want something that ends up being a dirt magnet, which the PRO seems like it is. Thanks for the input and reminder about Forte.

[superbowlpats]

Havent tried it in white but i really like the Zipp CX tape.

[fignon's barber]

The original Fizik 2mm Microtex, which they appear to have unfortunately dropped from their line.

If you can't find the Fizik, the Deda Mistral tape is the same thing for half the price (looks like it's made at the same factory):



http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/bike-components/deda-mistral-8

[fignon's barber]

That's the one I've been considering over the last few days....is it easy to wrap? How is the comfort? Do you ride with or without gloves?


Easy to wrap, super grip, and nice feel. However, I wouldn't recommend white. It's a dirt magnet and once it gets dirty, the dirt won't come off.

[OtayBW]

Cheap ass Cinelli.
+1. I still like Cinelli cork for the best tactile feel of all that I've tried.

[franswa]

Havent tried it in white but i really like the Zipp CX tape.

My OP states that's what I currently have. I typically love Zipp bar tape(non-white) but the white is a cork-like material that doesn't wrap as nicely and doesn't feel as good.

[franswa]

If you can't find the Fizik, the Deda Mistral tape is the same thing for half the price (looks like it's made at the same factory):

LOL the article calls it Dead instead of Deda.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/bike-components/deda-mistral-8

Easy to wrap, super grip, and nice feel. However, I wouldn't recommend white. It's a dirt magnet and once it gets dirty, the dirt won't come off.

Bummer! There goes that option. Thanks for the feedback.

[Dead Man]

I have a set of the PRO tape in my amazon cart! Glad you mentioned how dirty it gets. I am not unrealistic and I know white tape is just going to get dirtier, faster. I just don't want something that ends up being a dirt magnet, which the PRO seems like it is. Thanks for the input and reminder about Forte.

Dude... I'll see if I took any pictures of it before I ripped it off. It was incredible - never seen tape soak up and display filth like that before.

[jr59]

HandleBra. http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=1909332&postcount=11

Hi Ray, we have missed you lately!

Do you have any personal experience comparing handlebra with Brooks wrap? I had Brooks on one of my bikes in the past and ended up switching out because of the lack of padding.

Ray owns handlebar, but I will give you an answer. Handlebar is softer, wraps easier, but most of all is longer. If you want padding, use a under wrap of cork. I buy the older stuff from my Lbs. they are always happy to get rid of some very off color. Then I wrap over the cork with handlebar. No slip padding. It's the BEST leather wrap I have ever used. I have tried all or most others, it's not even close. I'm going on 5plus years on a set now, and just sold a bike with some even older than that on it, and still looked very good.

[Dead Man]

Dude... I'll see if I took any pictures of it before I ripped it off. It was incredible - never seen tape soak up and display filth like that before.

Looks like this is the only pic I've got without my hands covering the tape - obviously the bike hadn't been cleaned yet, but that brown staining on the tape you can see was soaked completely into it - that's not surface mud.

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab6/bkb0000/CX%202016/IMG_0620_zpsse3bp4ft.jpg

[superbowlpats]

My OP states that's what I currently have. I typically love Zipp bar tape(non-white) but the white is a cork-like material that doesn't wrap as nicely and doesn't feel as good.

oops. next time I'll read the first post vice just the title. :o

[franswa]

Looks like this is the only pic I've got without my hands covering the tape - obviously the bike hadn't been cleaned yet, but that brown staining on the tape you can see was soaked completely into it - that's not surface mud.

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab6/bkb0000/CX%202016/IMG_0620_zpsse3bp4ft.jpg

Yeah, that's no bueno. Don't need skidmarks all over my bars haha! Thanks for the helpful info.

[Lovetoclimb]

While I wont say it's my favorite as far as padding and texture, the Fixik microtex has stayed incredibly white for being on a drop bar mountain bike.

[Dead Man]

I've tried Fizik a few times... the stuff is durable and cleans well, but slick as snot. Gave up on it.

[Steelman]

Cinelli cork.

And it cleans up easily with a bit of dish soap, and a damp rag.

Don't forget the Velox plugs. They are gentle on the surfaces they touch, and they show the world you don't care about grams.

[bheight1]

I think Arundel makes some of the best soft goods including white bar tape, in addition to its cages and seat packs. Everything looks good and lasts!

[Hindmost]

The original Fizik 2mm Microtex, which they appear to have unfortunately dropped from their line.

Seriously?! I just started to use this and thought it is great. Reasonable price, right amount of thinness (like old school tape), durable, leather-like appearance and feel, the holes look cool.

[alastairb]

Also Fizik. In this case Superlight Classic; wipes clean an is "rewrappable".

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[Mackers]

That's the one I've been considering over the last few days....is it easy to wrap? How is the comfort? Do you ride with or without gloves?

I found it very easy to wrap, but I have 5 bikes all with fizik tape, so that may have something to do with it :)

Comfort i.m.o. is good, I regularly ride up to 100 miles, and I don't wear gloves unless it's below 40°

[Llewellyn]

HandleBra. http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=1909332&postcount=11

The only thing I found with white Handlebra is that it didn't take long for the white colouring to begin to wear away on heavy contact points revealing the grey raw material underneath. I contacted Ray about it and he said it's an unavoidable consequence of the whitening process. To his credit he offered to send me a replacement roll but I declined as I didn't want him to wear the cost of something that was unavoidable.

As I've posted in other threads before I've got the white on one bike and two others with black Handlebra and it is fantastic tape - lasts forever and looks better as it ages :beer:

[oldpotatoe]

Zevlin

http://www.zevlin.com/

[rccardr]

I'm not particularly distracted by logos on bar tape as my focus tends to be on the road ahead. But for $7 it may be worth a try. Closed cell foam is not something I am familiar with. How do you clean yours?

Ronsonal lighter fluid on a clean rag if it's grease oriented; dish soap, water and a sponge if it's just mud. Splooge comes right off.

[jtbadge]

I had good results with the Fizik Endurance Classic. Same Microtex finish with a little extra cushion.

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full/public/images/article/gallery/Bartape_Endurance_Softtouch_White_black.jpg?itok=c zIhAhrm

[franswa]

Zevlin

http://www.zevlin.com/

These were also on my radar. I ended up going with the Specialized Roubaix wrap this time. If those don't work out I'll most likely try the Zevlins.

Thank you all for your input and photos.

[Seramount]

for white tape, only use Fizik Microtex...cleans up with almost zero effort. a spritz of Windex or a little dish soap and it looks brand-new again.

wears like iron too...my traditional ritual has been to put on new tape every Jan 1, but some years, it's hard to see a reason to replace the Fizik.

when I was running black tape, the Deda stuff seemed ok. but, the edges tended to curl after a while and it didn't last as long as Fizik.

[19wisconsin64]

......looks great on my vintage rides, but after reading this thread I'm inclined to switch to Fizik. Maybe my hands won't slip off the bars when wet from rain or sweat.

Thanks Paceline Forum, you've saved me once again !

[kfreytag]

I'm not sure it needs another vote at this point, but indeed Fizik is the best white tape out there. I've been running the Microtex (3mm?) on a variety of bikes for about 6 or 7 years. I've had the same tape on my Parlee for over two years now. I keep wanting to change it, but it just keeps on truckin'.

https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5782/31417752125_6bb0afd9ab_c.jpg

[franswa]

I'm not sure it needs another vote at this point, but indeed Fizik is the best white tape out there. I've been running the Microtex (3mm?) on a variety of bikes for about 6 or 7 years. I've had the same tape on my Parlee for over two years now. I keep wanting to change it, but it just keeps on truckin'.

https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5782/31417752125_6bb0afd9ab_c.jpg

Brand of bar tape aside, that is a beautiful build! Very nice.

[franswa]

For all the Fizik bar tape lovers here; just came across this deal: $7.40 ain't bad! :eek:

http://www.steepandcheap.com/fizik-bar-tape?skid=FIZ0055-CHWHMIWL-ONESIZ&ti=UExQIFJ1bGUgQmFzZWQ6QmlrZSBDb21wb25lbnRzIE9uIFN hbGU6MTo1Njo=

[fignon's barber]

For all the Fizik bar tape lovers here; just came across this deal: $7.40 ain't bad! :eek:

http://www.steepandcheap.com/fizik-bar-tape?skid=FIZ0055-CHWHMIWL-ONESIZ&ti=UExQIFJ1bGUgQmFzZWQ6QmlrZSBDb21wb25lbnRzIE9uIFN hbGU6MTo1Njo=


Reading to the bottom of the description, that appears to be for only one roll:

." What you get here is one roll -- enough for one handlebar. It has all the wonders of Microtex, but since it doesn't come with gel you get a low-profile feel for your bars missing with the cushy Bar Gel. Available in Black, Metallic Blue, Red, Chalk White, Silver, and White."

[franswa]

Reading to the bottom of the description, that appears to be for only one roll:

." What you get here is one roll -- enough for one handlebar. It has all the wonders of Microtex, but since it doesn't come with gel you get a low-profile feel for your bars missing with the cushy Bar Gel. Available in Black, Metallic Blue, Red, Chalk White, Silver, and White."

Ugh. Weird. Why!? That is strange. Sorry about that.

[kfreytag]

Brand of bar tape aside, that is a beautiful build! Very nice.


Thanks! I do like it very much. I get a lot of people asking "is that steel?" It's got lots of paint.

:smile:


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[cadence90]

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