bonsai171

Yesterday I did a gravel metric over some very rough, chunky gravel. The bar tape on my bike isn't very squishy, so I thought it would be a good idea to double wrap the bar. Any recommendations for comfy bar tape?

Dave

scubaman

I’ve had good experience with Lizard Skin DSP 3.2 bar tape, on its own or sometimes with silicone pads under the tape - good cushion, good grip, lots of color choices. But, it’s not cheap, and also not super durable. Once the grippy surface wears off somewhere, it’s soon time for new tape.

DorkDisk

3.5mm Ritchey WCS Pave Tape is what I am using.

Russ Roth

I also like the lizard skin dsp in 3.2 and its what I have on my cross bike since I wanted the color. A little nicer and more durable is the Zipp Service Course CX tape. I read somewhere long ago that double wrapping tape is counter productive since it makes the bar or your grip feel less solid causing you to grip tighter and end up with more fatigue anyways. While tape can help I found a nice set of carbon bars to be the best option for long term comfort, just don't overtighted the stem or crash them into anything or they really get expensive.

katsup

I wrap an old inter tube first then Salsa cork tape over it. I don't ride very much rough terrain, but I'd like to think the extra rubber helps with the vibration.

tangerineowl

Silca Nastro Cuscino.

msu2001la

I'm a big fan of Zipp Service Course CX tape. It's got just enough squish to take the buzz off, but isn't super bulky.

bonsai171

Sounds like this might be the answer for me. Got Zipp Service course tape on my road bike now, and it is very nice. Will have to try the CX. Eventually I might put a carbon bar on too, but it's always good to start with the cheaper solution.

Dave

mstateglfr 

I have this on my main road bike and love it. It was out of stock everywhere last year when I built up my current gravel bike, but I found out that Cannondale Synapse bar tape is the same thing.
Identical tape, just no R for Ritchey embossed on it. Just an FYI in case its out the next time you go to buy some.

sweetspot

For me Cinelli Gel Cork tape is the best. I recently did a comparison test between 6 different bar tapes and this subjectively is the best in terms of comfort. You can find more about my comparison here:
https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/finding...able-bar-tape/

Steve B.

I put these gel pads under the bar tape, worked very well.

https://www.jensonusa.com/zipp-handl...el%20Pad%20Set

jp911

Gel pads + Brooks Microfiber has worked well for me. The Brooks tape has been a good balance of padding and durability.

xseal

Fizik Terra Microtex Bondcrush Tacky

Wilbur76

I’m curious about these Vibrocore gravel bars. Too cheap to buy them but wondering how chunks of pool noodle foam stuffed into my FSA A-Wing Pro bars could mimic the damping effect. Link to gravel bars article: https://bikepacking.com/index/gravel-bars/

bonsai171

The technology sounds interesting if you don't mind the weight. They are on the heavier side at 355g.

Dave

timebomb

I've heard good things about these: https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/...32376187519011

DeadGrandpa

Try Grab On Grips. About 1/4 inch of a dense closed cell foam, very good at absorbing vibration. FYI, I wrap my Grab On Grips with whatever brand gel tape. Better than just the tape by far.

mstateglfr 

In typical WT fashion, its on the high side of prices. But 5mm thick? Dang thats significant.

pipeliner

This is coming from an old guy with worn out wrists and hands from a lifetime of manual labor... If you aren’t running carbon bars, do yourself a favor and get some. Same with a carbon fork. The difference is pretty amazing. I also run the fizik gel pads under the tape, it helps too.

fourfa

106g for a roll of 5mm thick WT tape. In the past I've tended to double-wrap plain old Cinelli cork tape (62g each or 124 total), at which point the WT is actually cheaper. Not sure how the thickness ends up from double wrapping but I suspect it's thicker. Double wrap can be tricky around the levers though, a double-thick single wrap is probably preferable

FWIW I'm not looking for comfort necessarily, but I'm a big guy on a big XL bike, 46cm bars, 155 saddle, long crankarms, prefer MTB Q-factor to road - but bar diameter never changes. I just have a much more secure grip with the larger diameter of double wrapped bars, and better control with a looser grip on the shaky gravel descents

Bingod

I have tried Lizard Skins (too spendy) and have been using Bontrager tape, but now just ordered this Cinelli.

Jeff Neese

I've tried a lot of different tape and so far haven't found anything better than good old-fashioned double-layer Cinelli cork tape. It's stretchy and is definitely one of the easiest to use, and two layers gives you plenty of cushioning. Plus it comes in a wide variety of colors. When comparing cost, remember that when it wears out you only need to change the outside layer, $15-20, and it lasts a long time.

Personally, I think Lizard Skins is overpriced and over-marketed garbage. It's nice at first but I haven't had it last more than one season before it starts to break down and the top layer starts peeling and flaking off.