scplus5

I've had lizard skins on my bike for probably just over 1000-1200 miles. I love the feel of it, especially the "stickiness". However, there is a worn spot where my hand rests. The mechanic at the LBS said that's normal for lizard skins to wear that quickly. He recommended some kind of specialized taps that's leather I think? Not crazy about the feel, and a somewhat expensive test. I may go with it, but I'm curious to hear any other suggestions. Maybe something that feels similar to LS, but more durable?

McBTC

You may want to try a double tape wrap job someday--it can be pretty neat.

Blue Belly

There are only a couple types of bar tape I like. I think if it works for you, just replace it. Bar tape is relatively cheap. If it's not, look elsewhere. My local shop like to gouge on bar tape, for some reason.

SpeshulEd 

Supacaz tape has quickly been my favorite and I've been putting it on all of my bikes...however, cheap it is not.

https://supacaz.com/product-category...-tape&dppage=1

I find it grippy in all occasions, with and without gloves. It wraps well, has a nice texture, and looks good.

Of course, I also hated Lizard Skins the one time I used it. I didn't find it to wrap all that well and wet hands would slide all over.

scplus5

That price is not horrible. How durable have you found it to be?

CliffordK

Only just over 1000 miles**********

I went with some of the cheap Chinese foam/cork tape.

Ok, so the black spotted tape isn't the most popular on this website, but it is hard to go wrong with $1 to $2 per pair of rolls (including shipping).

I'm now at a bit over 1000 miles on one bike, and noticing a bit of fuzzing around the edges, and some staining from my hands.

I am a little disappointed with the rapid wear, but hope to get a few thousand more miles out of the tape before replacing.

Let's see... if I can squeeze 2000 miles out of $2 worth of tape.
Then $20 worth of tape should be good for at least 20,000 miles, or several years worth of riding
$40 worth of tape should last me a good long time

Dave Cutter

I've tried the expensive stuff... even Brooks leather tape. I prefer the cheap cork I buy on-line for $3 from China.

SpeshulEd 

I'm at around 4500 miles on it and it's showing slight signs of wear by the hoods. However, I think this might be due to the new gloves I just purchased, which have a synthetic palm as I just started noticing it in the past week. However, the wear is hardly noticeable as the tape seems to be black all the way through unlike the white insides of the lizard skins.

I justify the cost because you get the nice screw-in bar ends.

scplus5

That is impressive. How does the tackiness compare to LS?

i already have nice bar ends, but I don't mind spending that much if it lasts.

TheManShow

Honestly Cinelli Cork IMHO is the best, I like BLACK it lasts, and lasts. I do not count the mike it lasts years.

Jofu

I myself love the tape which came on my 2015 Specialized Roubaix which, when I look at their site, is the "S-wrap HD" tape. It's still flawless after nearly 1800 miles on the bike.

Although it may be pricey to some...

Geoff

Fox Farm

Ah, the great bar tape-debate! I have used many kinds and am now using Fiziek on one bike and Cannondale on the the other. The Cannondale is much more cushy like some of the Cinelli stuff but it stays in place which Cinelli stuff does not. I agree that black is the way to go. Everything else is what we call 'future black'.

SpeshulEd 

I'd say just as tacky. It has a slight velvety feel to it.

My hands can be quite sweaty and I can still get a great grip on the bar with no sliding around.

rpenmanparker 

Wrongo! Fizik (which you should know if you are using it) simply does not get dirty. Period. I have been using yellow now for a couple of years and can see no change in appearance. I never wipe it or clean it in any way. It just doesn't accept dirt or grease.

Shimagnolo

+1
The cork tape I buy off eBay is distinguishable from the brand name stuff only by the absence of butt-ugly logos stamped into it.

redlude97

if you like lizard skins but dont like the price, try the zipp cx tape. Its cheap and tacky and has help up for me for a couple thousand miles now

scplus5

Thanks for all the info. I'm probably going to order some fairly soon. It sounds like it's what I'm looking for and I don't mind the price.

Shoot, it's downright cheap if you consider the use I should get out of it. I don't mind "expensive" one time purchases. Cycling is cheap compared to other hobbies that require money every time you participate.

RPK79

I'm not a fan of Lizardskins. I tried it once and it didn't last long at all before I wore it out. I'm a fan of s-works velvet, but don't screw up the wrap because it does not come off in a reusable manner.

SpeshulEd 

I hope you like it, as I said, it's my favorite tape at the moment. I usually get the black with the colored print, it's understated but a nice pop of color at the same time.

MagicHour

Another recommend is Prologo one-touch. Pretty nice. I've ridden Cinelli cork or similar for pretty much my entire cycling life, but decided to give this a try recently. Wanted something with a bit more cushion to ease back onto the road after an elbow injury. Only have 500 miles or so on it, but so far so good. It goes and stays on well, cushiony, grippy when wet, and has a nice in the hand feel - different than cork, but I still like it.

Sy Reene

I'm a fan of the two-tone Serfas tape.. fwiw. Nice tacky feel and just the right amount of cushion for me.

Yellowbeard

I'm in love with the Fi'zi:k microtex stuff. Been using it exclusively for a few years.

Wish I had any idea what all the newer variants are good for.

Fox Farm

No wrongo - I use black Fizik. I kind of like the reflective Fizik name which is nice for night time riding.

WheresWaldo

I too have been using Fizik Microtex for some time. It is of course much firmer than DSP, but you can put some padding under it before wrapping the bars to ease the vibration a bit. I use white and generally it stays clean. I might have to clean it once during the season. after two seasons I usually replace (3000-5000 miles). It could probably go longer.

merlinextraligh

Velox cloth tape. All the rest of this crap is for panzies