Handlebar Tape

[Dired]

I recently went on an aliexpress shopping spree to find new tape in the range of $2-12. Got 4 tapes. All feel pretty good, the supacaz branded one seems to be actually legit.

[bmeryman]

Zipp Service Course CX for me. I like that I can reuse it several times if I swap components and need to rewrap.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by schvezon

Zipp service course. Black or white. Smooth or bumpy. $20. Brilliant.

This is my go-to also.

[JonB]

Pro-BikeGear Race Comfort has been my go to over the past couple of bicycles. Wraps easily and wears a long time. 2.5mm thick with a nice, subtle texture.

Just got a new bicycle with Supacaz and was displeased with how thin it is. Easy to wrap, yes. However not comfortable. It'll be switched out soon.

[Carbonita]

Silca tape lasts 8k miles, ~1 year, for my use. The wear is not from my hands, but from the trunk carpet when transporting. Nice finishing tape and butterflies, but hard to rewrap since the adhesive strip rips the foam tape base unless one is very patient.

[jadmt]

curious what actual miles people are getting? I have over 8000 miles on the Canyon bar tape that came on my edurace cf8. I love the feel of it but it is $40 after shipping.

[Derosid]

+1 for Silca tape. I particularly like the strength of their tape so I can get a tight wrap. They offer different thicknesses so yo0u can adjust the amount of cush you get. I use their 1.8mm Piloti on my road bike, and the 2.5 Nastro Cuscino on my commuter. Both super comfortable and long-lasting.

[StressStrain]

Originally Posted by Derosid

+1 for Silca tape. I particularly like the strength of their tape so I can get a tight wrap. They offer different thicknesses so yo0u can adjust the amount of cush you get. I use their 1.8mm Piloti on my road bike, and the 2.5 Nastro Cuscino on my commuter. Both super comfortable and long-lasting.

^totally agreed. Silca tape is great. I loooove the feel of Silca Nastro Cuscino - think and plush but not too tacky. It's expensive but worth it since it's one of just a few contact points on the bike.

[kiwisimon]

Cinelli Gel cork tape or a generic copy if I can't find it in black or red at my LBS.it feels good, not too slippy when hands get sweaty, stretches predictably and last the 6-8 months I want. Tape gets switched out fairly often. It's the cheapest upgrade there is (is inflating tires an upgrade?) so I don't want to drop a heap of cash. Tried Suprcaz and Lizardskin and was disappointed. Went back to old faithful.

[coreyaugustus]

I've got Fizik bondcush 3mm on my main squeeze. Tried, true, and relatively comfy. The white stays white if you wipe it down regularly.

For my other one, I've been giving Grepp a try. The texture takes some getting used to, and I like to add some cut up old tubes and wrap that under for extra cushion. The washable/reusable factor appeals to me. It's punk. Sustainable (I hope) punk.

[BdaGhisallo]

Acros Silicone tape is the business. It feels great under hand and is super easy to wrap and re-wrap if needed. And it has no sticky glue to gum up your bars.

The only challenge is finding it. It's a German product so it's readily available across the pond but is tricky to find in NA.

https://acros-components.com/en/cock...icone-bar-tape

[Talrand]

Originally Posted by coreyaugustus

I've got Fizik bondcush 3mm on my main squeeze. Tried, true, and relatively comfy. The white stays white if you wipe it down regularly.

For my other one, I've been giving Grepp a try. The texture takes some getting used to, and I like to add some cut up old tubes and wrap that under for extra cushion. The washable/reusable factor appeals to me. It's punk. Sustainable (I hope) punk.

What could be more punk than spending $33 for a roll of fabric with the most cringeworthy ad copy in the biz?

I'm on the $5 rubbery Ali tapes. Very nice in the dry and fine when wet. So pleasant to the touch that I'd rather ride gloveless.

[tellyho]

All silicone, all the time. Have a back stock of RSI, but there are multiples out there. AliExpress version can be had for $20ish.

[lorenbike]

Velo orange has some nice tape options that are usually on sale for $10-15. The diamond pattern option is a nice texture.

[Mr B]

This thread needs pics...

Fizik 'Terra Microtex Bondcush Tacky' (jeez what a mouthful)
Pretty, so pretty. Wore through so quickly, literally the least durable tape I've ever had.






Mash SF
Very fun, cool designs. Really comfortable, grippy and easy to work. Best finishing tape ever.








Serfas
Decent quality, cushy & cheap.




Bontrager
Very similar to Serfas!




Cinelli Caleido vs LizardSkins
Oh dear.




Newbaum's Cloth
Life's too short to use tape as miserably uncomfortable as this.