due ruote 

Wondering if anyone has used these products, and if so, how did they hold up?
I haven't ever used leather bar tape so I don't have a point of reference. They have a broad range of colors and styles, and the prices are good, especially if one were to order several sets (free shipping >$100).

https://www.gusti-leather.com/bike/b...cessories/?p=2

Dylansbob 

I started looking through the webpage and was thinking "this has got to be out of India" and sure enough. I string a lot for a few racquet sports and see real "gut" intestine string for ridiculous cheap prices out of India (and with a similar looking webpage) . My limited experience with those products mirror most reviews for them, wide range of QC. Some sets are consistent, other's vary wildly in diameter every few feet. I'd imagine that these have similar issues.

I splurged on Leh leather after getting a set for literally pennies on ebay one night. It's so good I bought a full price from him for another bike. It starts ~$60, but he occaisionally has sales.

canopus 

And even then it works just fine... Its had all that practice on the cows out in the rain... Just sayin...

due ruote 

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like there are better options.

canopus 

I use leather bar tape on everything really... I don't like replacing stuff because of dry rot and properly maintained leather lasts a long time. I wouldn't mind losing 30 (unless i read that wrong) to try this stuff myself but I don't have a real need for it right now. I have seen better more consistent tape (Brooks) at more than triple the cost (Brooks).
So if you want to try it... Try it. It is hard to even get synthetic stuff at those prices.

dedhed

I've had leather wrap on my commuter for years and gotten caught in plenty of rain & snow.

tiger1964 

Willing to try leather bar tape.

Interesting website, I see they offer leather strap helmets. My wife would beat me to death with it if I bought one, she threw my old one away.

Reminds me of a car show after I had the interior re-done in leather; A nice day but threatening on/off drizzle. Early in the day, on the show field, I must have put the top up and down half a dozen times, wanting to show the car top-down but unwilling to ruin the new interior. Another entrant came over and said "You do know that used to be the outside of a cow, right?" No explaining those Morgan owners, however.

majmt 

Handlebra is the best leather tape I’ve come across. Expensive but worth it.

HandleBra : Exemplary Leather Bicycle Handlebar Wrap : "Wait ' till you put your hands on this!" TM

This bike gets ridden less than 300 miles per year but the tape has been on since 2012 and still feels great. Only been wet a few times but I never had issues.

Lbxpdx

I realize what I’m about to say is apples to oranges, but I just bought enough leather to stitch my handlebars for $7 at the local leather supply shop. Quality stuff.

SurferRosa

I only had leather on one bike for a little while, and easily decided I prefer 2mm Fizik. I've been using Newbaum's cotton mostly, but just recently went back to Fizik on two bikes.


...
Even the really thin Fizik stays a tiny bit cushy, so it's more comfortable for me. And it stays clean.

I enjoyed looking through that website, though. Cool stuff.

Mr. 66

I like making the Almarc style of wrap, I've done this a few times. It is treatable for use in adverse weather conditions. The one below was made to match the Brooks saddle.

cyccommute 

Not in my experience. The end of a 70 mile day in driving rain.



A day of standing around in the rain (didn’t ride much that day but the bike spent the day outside.



And a night of downpours. The only reason it was under shelter in the picture was because that’s where I ate breakfast and packed up.



It spent the night outside of my soggy tent.



That was a couple of months ago but I haven’t noticed anything with my leather handle bar tape in the interim.