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Bar Tape

Old 09-02-21, 07:49 PM
  #1  
lennyparis
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Bar Tape

Been using specialized roubaix tape which is now discontinued

any suggestions of something similar?
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Old 09-03-21, 04:02 PM
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Check out Arundel. I buy it because they're a local company, but it's also good stuff. Try their Gecko Pavé, Rubber Gecko or Synth Gecko.

I like Synth Gecko as a trial wrap because it uses no adhesive -- the material is self-sticking and reusable almost indefinitely, as long as it's not cut or torn. It's stretchy can can be wrapped thinner to cover more area, or wrapped with very little stretch to be thicker or cover less area. Very comfortable. But some of the colors are kinda wild, not to everyone's taste. Great for practice wrapping before committing to an adhesive backed wrap. (That's more important with older setups, like quill stems with bars that need to be threaded through the stem clamp -- less important with stems with bolted faceplates that can be detached without unwrapping the handlebar.)
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Old 09-05-21, 07:17 PM
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Not exactly similar, but I went from Roubaix tape with the gel inserts to Topeak cork without the gel. Its been great.
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Old 09-05-21, 10:37 PM
  #4  
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I've been using the Bontrager Grippytack. it's really nice. A little pricey, but a very nice bar tape.
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Old 09-07-21, 01:37 PM
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I'm a big fan of Zipp service course cx bar tape. I have it on all of my bikes. Grippy but not too much, good cushioning, durable, and not stupid expensive.
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Old 09-07-21, 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Clipped_in
I'm a big fan of Zipp service course cx bar tape. I have it on all of my bikes. Grippy but not too much, good cushioning, durable, and not stupid expensive.
Seconded for Zipp Service Course CX. I like it better than Supacaz, Lizard Skins, Fizik and many more. Although lately the price seems to be creeping up. For a while you could get some Black for $22...now it's up around $27-29 depending.
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Old 09-07-21, 04:07 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by jaxgtr
I've been using the Bontrager Grippytack. it's really nice. A little pricey, but a very nice bar tape.
Grippytack is awesome. It's not the easiest to install, but it's got a great texture, just the right amount of cushion and looks pretty nice.
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Old 09-07-21, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ChamoisDavisJr
Seconded for Zipp Service Course CX. I like it better than Supacaz, Lizard Skins, Fizik and many more. Although lately the price seems to be creeping up. For a while you could get some Black for $22...now it's up around $27-29 depending.
The Zipp Service Course and SRAM tape work well too; more similar to the Supacaz in texture and thickness. I've had the CX version that has been discussed and that works great. It does feel a bit thinner and has the grippy texture to it over the standard Service Course tape. JensonUSA has both for less that $20 before shipping/taxes.

https://www.jensonusa.com/Zipp-Service-Course-Bar-Tape

https://www.jensonusa.com/Zipp-Servi...se-CX-Bar-Tape
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Old 09-11-21, 05:35 AM
  #9  
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Canyon Ergospeed Gel

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Old 09-11-21, 08:16 AM
  #10  
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I love Supacaz tape. Comfy, grippy and cool. However, its pretty tough to get it to lay down properly on the tight bends of my Aerofly II bars. Anyone have any suggestions here?
Im considering trying top down wrapping to see if that makes a difference or potentially a different brand of tape. .
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Old 09-11-21, 09:18 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Symox
Not exactly similar, but I went from Roubaix tape with the gel inserts to Topeak cork without the gel. Its been great.
I always get the cork. I have Topeak and cinelli on my bikes right now.
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Old 09-11-21, 05:32 PM
  #12  
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I have been using Silca tape lately and have been pleased with the results.
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Old 09-11-21, 06:19 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Mattyb13
I love Supacaz tape. Comfy, grippy and cool. However, its pretty tough to get it to lay down properly on the tight bends of my Aerofly II bars. Anyone have any suggestions here?
Im considering trying top down wrapping to see if that makes a difference or potentially a different brand of tape. .
I gave up on it. It looks nice, but I had to pull really hard to get it to lay flat enough. My fingers were sore afterwards.
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Old 09-11-21, 08:25 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by jaxgtr
I've been using the Bontrager Grippytack. it's really nice. A little pricey, but a very nice bar tape.
I second this recommendation. Excellent tape.
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Old 09-15-21, 02:41 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by oris
The Zipp Service Course and SRAM tape work well too; more similar to the Supacaz in texture and thickness. I've had the CX version that has been discussed and that works great. It does feel a bit thinner and has the grippy texture to it over the standard Service Course tape. JensonUSA has both for less that $20 before shipping/taxes.

https://www.jensonusa.com/Zipp-Service-Course-Bar-Tape

https://www.jensonusa.com/Zipp-Servi...se-CX-Bar-Tape
I have Zipp Service Course CX on all my bikes & also my wife's! Grippy, easy to wrap & seems to never wear out

Last edited by realyfishy; 09-19-21 at 08:02 PM.
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Old 09-15-21, 03:58 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Mattyb13
I love Supacaz tape. Comfy, grippy and cool. However, its pretty tough to get it to lay down properly on the tight bends of my Aerofly II bars. Anyone have any suggestions here?
Im considering trying top down wrapping to see if that makes a difference or potentially a different brand of tape. .
I only wrap from the top down. That way I don't have to use any "finishing tape" or electrical tape on the tops of the bars. I've never had any tape come unwrapped either...probably because I know how to actually wrap tape tightly and neatly. Back in the olden days you couldn't wrap from the top down cause they had that ****** fabric tape and for some reason oldster's like to make that stuff last for a decade. Now I like to try different tapes and one of the best feelings is putting on some new bar tape to start the outdoor riding season.

There's a couple of decent videos on YouTube for wrapping from the top down. Go ahead...be a rebel and watch old fart's harrumph themselves to death...cause "you can't do THAT!"
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Old 09-15-21, 05:07 PM
  #17  
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Fizik got expensive, so I looked for something else. Found some of Shimano's brand "Pro" on the Azon. Good stuff.

https://www.pro-bikegear.com/us/
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Old 09-15-21, 06:07 PM
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I buy what’s cheap. Some of this newer grip tape is ridiculously expensive and the quality is the same as the cheap stuff. I replace my grip tape every couple of months as the stuff gets dirty/grimy and is not supposed to last years.
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Old 09-18-21, 10:10 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by ChamoisDavisJr
I only wrap from the top down. That way I don't have to use any "finishing tape" or electrical tape on the tops of the bars. I've never had any tape come unwrapped either...probably because I know how to actually wrap tape tightly and neatly. Back in the olden days you couldn't wrap from the top down cause they had that ****** fabric tape and for some reason oldster's like to make that stuff last for a decade. Now I like to try different tapes and one of the best feelings is putting on some new bar tape to start the outdoor riding season.

There's a couple of decent videos on YouTube for wrapping from the top down. Go ahead...be a rebel and watch old fart's harrumph themselves to death...cause "you can't do THAT!"
I've started wrapping from the hoods out.

You have to judge it carefully at the start to make sure you have the right amount either side, but it means you're overlapping in the same direction that your hands naturally twist, both on the tops, and in the drops. It also means not having to do a complicated figure-8 around the hood like some videos will try to show you. It works with glueless tape, too, as you're securing the tape at both ends (plug at the bottom, tape at the top).

I like having the bit of finishing tape at the top. It can add a bit of flare, or a different colour trim.
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Old 09-20-21, 05:44 AM
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I know others have expressed they don't like it, but I really like the Supacaz Super Sticky Kush. Yeah, it's not cheap, but I liked it enough that I put it on my 2 most used bikes.
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Old 09-20-21, 03:50 PM
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Supercaz Bar Tape

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Old 09-20-21, 05:43 PM
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How many rolls of this stuff do you have?

OTOH.. Supacaz saddles? Any takers? Seems weird that they offer a $65 saddle, but they're premium on bar tape? Or are these fake things on Amazon?
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Old 09-21-21, 02:04 AM
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One more vote for Zipp Service Course CX.

I've also had good experiences with:
Cannondale Synapse tape (if you can still find some)
Fabric Hex Duo Tape
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Old 09-21-21, 03:50 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
How many rolls of this stuff do you have?

OTOH.. Supacaz saddles? Any takers? Seems weird that they offer a $65 saddle, but they're premium on bar tape? Or are these fake things on Amazon?

not very many but also have a few LIZZARD Kinds 3.2mm Im good for a bit...
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Old 09-21-21, 06:47 PM
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no matter which brand of tape you choose, please choose the white tape.
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