EKCooper

If so, what do you think of it? Do you have the gel pads underneath? I'm not crazy about the bar tape on my Cannondale Synapse (not much cushion at all), but I'm afraid the gel pads and tape might be a bit much.

palookabutt

I've got the gel pads on my older bike and nothing but basic Cinelli cork tape on my new bike. Honestly I don't notice any benefit from the bar phat, but I didn't see any reason to remove it when I re-wrapped the bars just recently.

foresthill

I've had the gel under my tape on the drops only for a while now. One issue with it is that if you try to sprint from the drops, the squishiness feels like it gets in the way of really being able to throw the bike back and forth.

Maybe a major thing if you race a lot, but pretty minor for me since I don't.

Still, I'm thinking about trying without it to see how that affects my tendency to get numb fingers on really long descents (i.e. 10+ miles down Mt Lemmon.)

ridethecliche

I use it and have been racing with it since may.

I like the tape and the bar gel.

Only 1 issue.

You should wrap the tape nice and tight and have a good amount of overlap. I taped it like I would tape regular tape and the stuff starts to separate as the gel expands and contracts. I've had to put electrical tape to cover up some spots. Not a big deal.

Beaker

Lots of folks here have it as OEM bar tape on Specialized bikes. I had it on my Roubaix for 18months or so before it started wearing out. I just rewrapped with Fizik microtex, but kept the gel underneath. The bars feel a little firmer now, but OK. It was a bit of a PITA to wrap over that stuff though - it might get jettisoned next time.

halfspeed

The bar phat comes in different thicknesses. The thinner stuff isn't so squishy. I use it under the Specialized tape and it seems to help a bit. I really like the texture of the tape that comes with it.

rcaviator

I use the thinner stuff as well, works great for me. I buy and use it together with the specialized tape. My hands don't bother me and I don't wear gloves. I don't think it is too soft or squishy, but I do put the tape on tight. I guess it's like other things, will work for some but not others.

adriano 

ive got it on two sets of bars and like it with and without gloves in the sun or in the rain. im giving the fizik system a try now out of curiosity.

Lucky07

It came stock on my Allez. It's fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way to put it on another bike.

urbanknight

I tried it and didn't like it. The gel seemed to cause more pressure on the points I was trying to take it off. It also left a mess when I took it off. I found that I don't like gel at all though (shorts, gloves, bars, anywhere), so you may like it.

Beaker

This is very true - it took me longer to clean my bars up than to wrap them again, and that's saying something, given it was my first bar wrap in ~25yrs.

socalrider

The fizik gel padding is a little thinner and works better for me than the Bar Phat..

shaun3000

I have some and use the gel. I love it. It's nice and comfy and, unlike thick gloves, it doesn't bunch in the pressure points. Someone else mentioned to wrap it tight and I'd agree with that. If you get it nice and tight you won't notice the squishiness, just comfy bars.

knobster

I use the super bar phat on my cross bike and the regular bar phat on my road bike. I have to use it as I have a very bad wrist. Couldn't ride without it. Tried very padded gloves and had issues with numb hands. The bar phat gels are a godsend for me.

EKCooper

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate the feedback. I was just afraid the Bar Phat might be a bit much, so I went to the store and decided on the Roubaix tape. It's thicker than the tape that's on my Cannondale. If I don't like the Roubaix tape, I'll try the Bar Phat next. Take care, all!

fordmanvt

My bike came with it only on the tops and hoods. I wouldn't like it on the drops.

Georgebowen

I replaced my stock bars on my Allez with EA70 wing bars. The bar phat wouldnt work on the tops since they are flat, I did re-use it in the drops though.

I Pre taped it with a little electrical tape which firmed it up then wrapped with the rubouaix specialized tape.

Feels good in the drops and pretty firm on top, the tape seems a little thinner than other tapes Ive felt. When I sprint I push side to side I push on the outside of the drops so it doesnt interfere at all.

thirdin77

Super Bar Phat is really shock-absorptive though it's so big that if you run a 44cm handlebar, it might be difficult to finish wrapping your bars and you might have to use longer tape like Soma's Thick & Zesty tape or the like.

And yes, it can leave a mess on your bars if you take it off though it may be worth the mess given how well it works.

jesspal

Not to change subject but how about the Cinelli gel bar tape? Anyone have an opinion on that stuff?