Rubber bar tape
#1
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
Rubber bar tape
Maybe not quite a mech thread, but a gear thread in any case...
I was at REI last week, saw a couple gravel/adventure bikes they had out in their house brand Co-op's "ADV" line. I liked the bar tape they were wearing, it was rubber, textured, firmly cushy, and very grippy. Here's a close-up where you can see it pretty well.
If you go to the product page you can zoom in on that pic even closer, and get a good look at the texture.
I guess I should have asked somebody when I was there, but now that I'm home and searching for it, I can't find anything quite like it. The closest I can find is Arundel Rubber Gecko, but that's got "Arundel" branding all over it. Maybe it's the same stuff, but ordered by REI to be unbranded?
As a hint (or red herring), on the bikes in the store, the wrap was finished by black tape that pretty clearly said "3M", but probably that's just the electrical-ish tape at the end.
Anybody know what this bar tape is?
I was at REI last week, saw a couple gravel/adventure bikes they had out in their house brand Co-op's "ADV" line. I liked the bar tape they were wearing, it was rubber, textured, firmly cushy, and very grippy. Here's a close-up where you can see it pretty well.
If you go to the product page you can zoom in on that pic even closer, and get a good look at the texture.
I guess I should have asked somebody when I was there, but now that I'm home and searching for it, I can't find anything quite like it. The closest I can find is Arundel Rubber Gecko, but that's got "Arundel" branding all over it. Maybe it's the same stuff, but ordered by REI to be unbranded?
As a hint (or red herring), on the bikes in the store, the wrap was finished by black tape that pretty clearly said "3M", but probably that's just the electrical-ish tape at the end.
Anybody know what this bar tape is?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,096
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4210 Post(s)
Liked 3,878 Times
in
2,315 Posts
Using "rubber" as a bar wrap, either solo or as a under layer, is as old as the hills. Over the years there have been more then a couple bat wraps advertised as "rubber". It seems that they don't last long on the market for various reasons.
I have used cut up innertubes as a base layer for tourists needing an on tour solution for hand/nerve issues. Andy
I have used cut up innertubes as a base layer for tourists needing an on tour solution for hand/nerve issues. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Likes For Andrew R Stewart:
#3
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
I also recycle inner tubes under cheap foam bar tape, but I really liked the look and feel of this stuff, and would be interested in trying it out (depending on the price) if I could find where to order it
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: West Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,112
Bikes: '84 Peugeot PH10LE
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
39 Posts
Try Planet Bike. They have a very good rubber /cork tape that sounds like it would be what you're looking for. I just wrapped my bars with it and like it--a LOT.
Jon
Jon
#5
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Try Zipp Service Course CX.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Zipp-Servi...Bar-Tape-Black
Outstanding quality and feel at a good price. It is rubbery but not tacky or shiny like Lizard Skins.
-Tim-
https://www.jensonusa.com/Zipp-Servi...Bar-Tape-Black
Outstanding quality and feel at a good price. It is rubbery but not tacky or shiny like Lizard Skins.
-Tim-
#6
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
Thanks guys, Planet Bike Tachyon looks like it might actually be the stuff REI is using on the Co-op ADV bikes. The Zipp looks good too, and is surprisingly cheaper than Planet Bike!
#7
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
Zombie self-bump...
So the Planet Bike Tachyon was a disaster. Within a month the awesome texturized rubber layer started to peel off within a month. (I can't find from my email history whether I got it from amazon or fleabay, if fleabay maybe it was a knockoff? It came in convincing PlanetBike-branded cardboard packaging)
I've been riding peeling bar tape for like a year now, and am ready to replace it finally.
I saw on somebody else's bike at work what I think must have been Fizik Terra Bondcush Tacky, and that looked like it would probably last forever, but it is spendy. That Zipp Service Course CX recommended above looks similarly rubbery, and is much cheaper.
Any thoughts?
So the Planet Bike Tachyon was a disaster. Within a month the awesome texturized rubber layer started to peel off within a month. (I can't find from my email history whether I got it from amazon or fleabay, if fleabay maybe it was a knockoff? It came in convincing PlanetBike-branded cardboard packaging)
I've been riding peeling bar tape for like a year now, and am ready to replace it finally.
I saw on somebody else's bike at work what I think must have been Fizik Terra Bondcush Tacky, and that looked like it would probably last forever, but it is spendy. That Zipp Service Course CX recommended above looks similarly rubbery, and is much cheaper.
Any thoughts?
#8
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Go back to the Arundel wrap you mentioned in your first post. I've used Arundel Synth Gecko for awhile on one bike and it's terrific. Very durable, reusable with reasonable care. It doesn't use adhesive or take a permanent set so it's easy to rewrap. No obvious branding, just some barely visible embedded logos.
Arundel makes other silicone/rubbery wraps that look a bit nicer than the Synth Gecko too. So does Bontrager.
Arundel makes other silicone/rubbery wraps that look a bit nicer than the Synth Gecko too. So does Bontrager.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,266
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 714 Post(s)
Liked 800 Times
in
475 Posts
That looks exactly like Marque Diamond pattern tacky tape. I have it on two bikes, but it appears that they don't make it any more. It is no longer on Amazon and the Marque website doesn't list it either.
#10
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
Go back to the Arundel wrap you mentioned in your first post. I've used Arundel Synth Gecko for awhile on one bike and it's terrific. Very durable, reusable with reasonable care. It doesn't use adhesive or take a permanent set so it's easy to rewrap. No obvious branding, just some barely visible embedded logos.
Arundel makes other silicone/rubbery wraps that look a bit nicer than the Synth Gecko too. So does Bontrager.
Arundel makes other silicone/rubbery wraps that look a bit nicer than the Synth Gecko too. So does Bontrager.
#11
Junior Member
The Zip Service Course CX tape is awesome. Very durable and fairly firm. The knurled pattern provides excellent grip. You can wrap it so that you can't see the embossed branding.
#12
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,380
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 668 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times
in
355 Posts
Weird. I've been riding that tachyon tape for 2 years with no issue. Mine is black but that shouldn't matter.
#14
Banned
A while ago I inquired about a Gel tape to use as an under layer on my Trekking bars, which I double wrap .
A reply gave me e brand , but did not find it via a vendor my LBS Uses, at the time,
and have since forgotten the named product they mentioned..
Any hints?
A reply gave me e brand , but did not find it via a vendor my LBS Uses, at the time,
and have since forgotten the named product they mentioned..
Any hints?
#16
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
I underwrap my bar tape with old innertube, you can kinda tell in the pics above that the uppers are thicker than the drops
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Queens, NY for now...
Posts: 1,515
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Liked 172 Times
in
113 Posts
I like tacky tape, and I recently installed some 3T Corius for the first time. Very tacky and rubbery feel, with plenty of texture. Can't comment on durability, but so far it feels good and gives the impression it will last a long time.
https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/3...pe-105166.html
https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/3...pe-105166.html
#18
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
Hey gang, it's been almost 3 years since I posted pics of my new wrap with Zipp Service Course.
In that time, the nubblies have worn smooth and gotten quite dirty. A while ago (6-9 months?) a section started peeling and I thought "Oh great, planet bike all over again", but it peeled to about the size of a quarter and stayed that way.
Yesterday I took the tape off, swapped sides and wrapped it back on so (mostly) the old dirty parts are what is covered up. Here are pics before taking it off (except with the sealing tape taken off to show the new/dirty contrast), and the final result
I guess $25 is worth it if I get six years of use!!
In that time, the nubblies have worn smooth and gotten quite dirty. A while ago (6-9 months?) a section started peeling and I thought "Oh great, planet bike all over again", but it peeled to about the size of a quarter and stayed that way.
Yesterday I took the tape off, swapped sides and wrapped it back on so (mostly) the old dirty parts are what is covered up. Here are pics before taking it off (except with the sealing tape taken off to show the new/dirty contrast), and the final result
I guess $25 is worth it if I get six years of use!!
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: western Massachusetts (greater Springfield area)
Posts: 699
Bikes: Velosolex St. Tropez, LeMond Zurich (spine bike), Rotator swb recumbent
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 67 Times
in
32 Posts
I was just thinking that after 3 years, with the nubs worn off, I would spring for new tape (and probably new cable housings as long as the bars were unwrapped).; but that is just me!
#20
Keepin it Wheel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
I am cheaper than that. And lazier.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,380
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 668 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times
in
355 Posts
My tachyon tape pealed the surface layer as well.
Much as I liked it probably won't use it again.
Much as I liked it probably won't use it again.
Likes For Pop N Wood: