Bar tape for rough gravel
#1
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Bar tape for rough gravel
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
Dave
#2
Junior Member
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.
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#3
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#4
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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.
#5
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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.
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#8
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Dave
#9
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3.5mm Ritchey WCS Pave Tape is what I am using.
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.
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https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/finding...able-bar-tape/
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I put these gel pads under the bar tape, worked very well.
https://www.jensonusa.com/zipp-handl...el%20Pad%20Set
https://www.jensonusa.com/zipp-handl...el%20Pad%20Set
#12
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Gel pads + Brooks Microfiber has worked well for me. The Brooks tape has been a good balance of padding and durability.
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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/
#15
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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/
Dave
#16
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I've heard good things about these: https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/...32376187519011
#17
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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.
#18
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I've heard good things about these: https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/...32376187519011
#19
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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.
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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
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
Last edited by fourfa; 10-16-20 at 10:42 AM.
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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/
https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/finding...able-bar-tape/
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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.
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.
Last edited by Jeff Neese; 10-16-20 at 08:02 PM.