Bar tape that's not Lizard Skin?
10-30-18, 05:53 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Bar tape that's not Lizard Skin?
Let me preface... i love lizard skin, but for the money i don't think it lasts as long as it should. What other brands is everyone running? I would prefer not to use cork or foam. I grip hard at times and it doesn't hold up. Thinking supacaz?
10-30-18, 06:04 PM
#2
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Have used Cinelli Cork and liked it. Have used Planet Bike and liked it. Have used Deda, comes in great colors but not a great feel.
10-30-18, 06:06 PM
#3
Non omnino gravis
Fizik 3mm Performance Bar Tape is the only tape I've ever liked enough to buy twice. And I wasn't even replacing it because it was worn-- I changed bars for the third time and figured new tape was in order.
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10-30-18, 06:45 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Fizik 3mm Performance Bar Tape is the only tape I've ever liked enough to buy twice. And I wasn't even replacing it because it was worn-- I changed bars for the third time and figured new tape was in order.
10-30-18, 06:53 PM
#5
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Brooks Cambium rubber tape. I won't use anything else (except Brooks leather tape).
10-30-18, 06:55 PM
#6
Non omnino gravis
I have the Fizik Microtouch 2mm on my Cervelo. Be aware that it is very thin, and has essentially no padding at all. It's fine on carbon bars, but I didn't care for it on aluminum bars. Mine desperately needs replacing after 3-4 rewraps and ~7,000 miles. Starting to slip around the hoods.
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10-30-18, 08:03 PM
#7
Senior Member
Supacaz was a huge upgrade for me from Lizardskins. Nicely tacky, nicely padded and a hundred times easier to keep clean. My LBS didn't stock it, but they brought it in for me last spring; since then, half the staff in the shop are using it as well as most of the shop "regulars"
10-30-18, 08:03 PM
#8
Senior Member
Fizik, defintely. I have Lizard Skin now, LBS recommended it, but it is already showing wear after maybe 7 months. Not worth it. My prior Fizik tape lasted a good two years before any visible wear.
10-30-18, 08:08 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Supacaz was a huge upgrade for me from Lizardskins. Nicely tacky, nicely padded and a hundred times easier to keep clean. My LBS didn't stock it, but they brought it in for me last spring; since then, half the staff in the shop are using it as well as most of the shop "regulars"
10-30-18, 08:29 PM
#10
Senior Member
I've had mine on since the spring; say 7000km (4500miles) on it. No wear on it yet; no "dark patches" that won't come clean with soap and water. It's actually cheaper than the Lizardskins as well; and.. it's bar tape, not a huge commitment....
10-30-18, 10:29 PM
#12
Banned
generic PU foam is adequate..
Fizik , with the under tape gel patches, for brand touting,
was what I taped my C&V bike's drop bars with ,
then went back to riding my other bike with trekking bars
I double layer taped with regular foam tape ..
...
Fizik , with the under tape gel patches, for brand touting,
was what I taped my C&V bike's drop bars with ,
then went back to riding my other bike with trekking bars
I double layer taped with regular foam tape ..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-31-18 at 09:16 AM.
10-31-18, 03:19 AM
#13
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Arundel Gecko Fur.
Haven't tried it. I just like the sound of it.
I'mma cover my whole bike in this stuff. Why can't everything be this simple?
I do have the regular Arundel Gecko wrap, in blue. It's going on my hybrid's albatross bar after I change cables later this week.
Haven't tried it. I just like the sound of it.
I'mma cover my whole bike in this stuff. Why can't everything be this simple?
I do have the regular Arundel Gecko wrap, in blue. It's going on my hybrid's albatross bar after I change cables later this week.
10-31-18, 04:32 AM
#14
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Fizik is on all my bikes. The durability and the ability to clean it is worth every cent.
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10-31-18, 04:59 AM
#15
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Fabric Hex
10-31-18, 05:41 AM
#16
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I just tried silicon bar tape for the first time (I think it was PRO Sport, but I'm not sure of the brand). It felt GREAT, but after 50 miles it started to fray under my right hand where I shift. Took it back to the LBS and they replaced it with cork. Doesn't feel quite as good, but it'll last me for a few years...
10-31-18, 11:45 AM
#17
Senior Member
Fizik 3mm Performance Bar Tape is the only tape I've ever liked enough to buy twice. And I wasn't even replacing it because it was worn-- I changed bars for the third time and figured new tape was in order.
I've had hit or miss with various types when they get wet. Regardless of material or claims or pattern or if multilayer, bumpy, knobs etc. The last two I tried were Planet Bike cork and Origin 8 DMND. Both are great grip and comfort and the PB Cork was bliss when dry but lose grip or get mushy and move around to much when wet. I failed back to some low cost camo Nashbar cork that is actually much better wet but not as comfortable as the others dry. Not all corks are good though, the SRAM for example is like an oil slick wet. I have flared bars and mostly in the drops and a lot of non road, when grip goes down, I tend to grab tighter and it eventually turns to discomfort. If dry and I was on the hoods or flats, I could use just about any thing and be good.
Last edited by u235; 10-31-18 at 11:54 AM.
10-31-18, 11:51 AM
#18
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Replaced it this year with Supacaz. Loving it. It's really good in wet conditions as it remains tacky.
10-31-18, 11:53 AM
#19
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Supacaz was a huge upgrade for me from Lizardskins. Nicely tacky, nicely padded and a hundred times easier to keep clean. My LBS didn't stock it, but they brought it in for me last spring; since then, half the staff in the shop are using it as well as most of the shop "regulars"
10-31-18, 02:40 PM
#20
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I would estimate I have about 1500 miles on Fizik 3mm and it looks as good as the day I installed. Good enough grip for me and comfortable without feeling too squishy. I haven't used lizard skins so can't compare with that.
10-31-18, 02:46 PM
#21
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Another vote for Fizik 2mm.
10-31-18, 04:04 PM
#22
Full Member
Brooks Microfiber has held up great on my gravel bike. I have Cinelli cork on my road bike, but it hasn't worn as well. The only drawback (that I've found) with the Brooks Microfiber is that it's a little harder to install compared to a tape that has stretch.
10-31-18, 04:15 PM
#23
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yes to Fizik 2.5. I used to use Lizard Skin but everyone is correct, it wears poorly and quickly.
11-01-18, 05:57 PM
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I use Brooks leather tape. Seven years so far and it still looks great. It can be unwrapped and rewrapped. It has been soaked many, many times. No issues at all. I love it.