cardoodle

I'm getting black bar tape tomorrow and I'm unsure about the brand. The shop rattled off a few names, but I had no clue. I want tape that's going to last and look as good as factory. So, does it matter the brand? Any names I should look at, or stay away from?

max power

unless it's an expensive bike then your factory handlebar tape is junk. it's preference so do yourself a favor and touch and feel as many brands as you can. i personally prefer fizik microtex

ILUVUK

i use the cheap stuff from profile design, but fizik microtex is a very popular choice around BF.

wrr1020

I have microtex on one bike but when i got my new bike in January it came with Arundel cork tape which isn't bad at all either.

cardoodle

It's factory on my specialized allez. Is microtex a lot more??

EKCooper

+1 for the fizik microtex and I use the fizik bar gel underneath; this new print (black with silver 'fizik') looks really good.



however, I hear the lizard skin is good stuff, too.

jrobe

Specialized Roubaix is the onlytape I buy anymore. I like the extra padding and vibration reduction.

halfspeed

Specialized makes great tape.

ILUVUK

no. i pay about $12 plus tax or so for profile design's tape. you can probably get fizik's microtex for $20 or less.

cardoodle

Awesome!! Thanks for all the replies!

Shuke

SRAM supercork for life.

caloso

I like the old school Cinelli cork tape. No gel, thank you.

KiuBWhy

+1 on the Fizik. It was my first bar taping and I had a good experience working with it.

MegaTom

Brooks.

Commodus

Probably you won't know what you like until you try a few. Start with Cinelli maybe, cuz it's the classic standard?

Shimagnolo

- Cinelli gel cork
- Bontager gel cork
- Nashbar gel cork

All exactly the same material.
Only the imprinted logo and the plugs are different.

Val23708

Fizik doesn't tear like cork tape does

Try some Fizik microtex in white or the suede feel one

pgjackson

Don't sweat bar tape. It's one of those things that is inexpensive enough to replace frequently if you don't end up liking it.

coasting 

i like the bontrager gel tape. nice and squigy.

JeffS

Personal preference. I'm liking the specialized roubaix for the fuzzy/rough texture.

RacerOne

Bar tape should be changed often enough that you shouldn't worry to much about trying something new. Grab what looks good and give it a shot.

531phile 

I like Salsa Bar Tape. I'm going to try the Fizik soon.

zitter

I'm using DSP Lizard Skin right now and loving it, although I have some Cinelli cork tape for the next time I have to rewrap just to try it. I used to use fizik microtex, but the DSP is a whole new world even though it's kind of pricey.

urbanknight

+1 I used Specialized S Wrap before I even owned a Specialized. It's a little smoother than Cinelli/Performance/etc. cork tape.

Also +1 to just trying out different types. I seem to like cork or synthetic cork, but more important to me is that it doesn't have adhesive on the back. It's messy and unnecessary in my opinion.

Excelsius

I don't see the point in using bar tape that is going to have only marginally better cushioning than the bar itself. Even gloves have padding to prevent hand numbness.