Best bar tape for cushioning

[deluz]

My wife has arthritis in her hands and I am making some adjustments to our tandem to try and help. I ordered some bars that are narrower and shorter.
looking for some bar tape to add some cushioning. Nothing massively thick as her hands are small. Thanks for any suggestions.

[hokoman]

My wife doesn't have arthritis, but I put on flat bars with a little rise and ergon grips for comfort instead of a drop bar on our tandem. On my triple with the kids, I also ordered longer stoker stems, they were too bent over, so they were able to distribute the weight from too far forward, to more comfortable and upright.

[cnighbor1]

Use those pads that go under the bar tape for excellent cushioning

[Likes2ridefar]

Can you get a suspension stem maybe? I’d imagine that would be much more forgiving than any bar tape.

[djg21]

Originally Posted by deluz

My wife has arthritis in her hands and I am making some adjustments to our tandem to try and help. I ordered some bars that are narrower and shorter.
looking for some bar tape to add some cushioning. Nothing massively thick as her hands are small. Thanks for any suggestions.

The Silca 3.75mm bar tape is pretty plush. I have had Handlebra on my bikes for years, but needed more cushion due to some neuropathy I’ve started to develop. https://silca.cc/collections/bar-tape-1. I’ve had it on my bike about 6 weeks, and like it.

[herb5998]

ENVE tape is really good silicone, so it's washable. Plenty of cushion as well (3mm thickness).

The Silca stuff is great too, though can be a bit thick to wrap depending on the bar your installing it on.

[Vientomas]

Wolf Tooth Tape

[tellyho]

Silicone tape FTW. RSI, Wolf tooth, some others are now selling.

[shrimp123]

(cheap solution)
old butyl tube slit open to prevent layer slipping and wrapped over the bar... and your favorite bar tape on top of it.

you can replace the butyl tube with a hockey stick tape w/ or w/o cushion and bar tape on top.

BUT, it will get a little bulky. that wont work for small hands

[Baron Blubba]

Originally Posted by Vientomas

Wolf Tooth Tape

This. Great stuff.

[deluz]

Originally Posted by djg21

The Silca 3.75mm bar tape is pretty plush. I have had Handlebra on my bikes for years, but needed more cushion due to some neuropathy I’ve started to develop. https://silca.cc/collections/bar-tape-1. I’ve had it on my bike about t weeks, and like it.

This one that I was considering.
Thanks

[dana_e]

all day long. GO josh.

[mtbmoose]

This Specialized Bar Phat silicone came on my ‘04 Roubaix. Was able to find some last time I rewrap led the bars. It’s hard to find now, but this place seems to have it in stock:

https://www.bicyclebarn.com/product/...e-212193-1.htm

And this stuff looks to be very similar:

https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-C.../dp/B000QSXYHM

I liked the extra padding when riding our local chip seal roads. And also consider gloves with gel inserts. I like the feel, particularly on rough roads and trail.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by deluz

I am making some adjustments to our tandem to try and help.

Have you and she tried (or considered) a more upright position for her? That would hopefully reduce the amount of force she needs to support with her hands and arms, which could help.

[deluz]

Originally Posted by Louis

Have you and she tried (or considered) a more upright position for her? That would hopefully reduce the amount of force she needs to support with her hands and arms, which could help.

It is already very upright with a riser stem.