oldschool56

The last time I wrapped handlebars was over 35 years ago. Back then as I remember there were basically three choices, cloth, plastic or leather. Boy, have things changed. After reading several threads about gel pads, today I installed Specialized Bar Phat Gel Pads on my 1.2 Trek and re-wrapped with the existing cork tape. The cork is very malleable making re-use no problem. The existing creases made getting the tape started at the bar ends a cinch and my hands will greatly appreciate the additional cushioning provided by the gel. Instead of using the gel pads on the drops, I installed them on top of the top bar pads for added thickness. The tackiness of the pads allow them to stick to each other and to the bars, preventing slippage during wrapping. I slightly adjusted the cables wrapped under the tape upward, increasing the top width of the bar just enough to make a difference but not interfering with cable length/clearance during steering. The initial feel and fit is exceptional. This coming week I'll be testing it out on a 50+ mile route. We'll see.

Doge

You can get real good cushioning with carbon bars and thin tape.

rpenmanparker 

Yeah, I have no use for thick or specially padded handlebar tape. Give me thin and taut.

oldschool56

It's a matter of preference (and available funds). I prefer thicker bars. I'd rather pay $23.00 for the gel inserts first. If they don't function as I hope, I can then try something else a bit more costly.

Doge

Not directed at you, FYI on our experience.
I did thick bars and gel when my kid did Paris Roubaix. He ended up with a bunch of blisters on his hands. The padding (gel) was actually like one of those stress balls and allowed movement/figure friction and fatigued his hands/forearms - and blisters. Later events he went to thin tape and had no issues.

rpenmanparker 

I "grew up" with thin tape and thin gloves to make a reasonably padded combination, but not too thick. To me gloves and tape are like saddles as far as padding is concerned. The notion that more padding is better for either tends to be readily disproved by real riding experience. Thick tape like thick saddle padding is for the uninitiated.

Doge

(We are agreeing again)
You likely didn't grow up with modern carbon fiber bars and seat posts. They are different. So different they are a choice for the type of ride, as are wheels.

rpenmanparker 

Sure. I just like the feel of a firm bar under my hands.

kbarch

With bar tape, firmness vs. cushioning hasn't been an issue for me, but I did use extra thick tape, and two layers of it, to get the bars on my FG the right size. I was getting cramps from the way I was grasping the track bars when just riding around. Now that's no longer a problem, and it feels just as good when riding properly in the drops.
Saddles are a whole different kettle of fish.

Silvercivic27

He did Paris-Roubaix again and had no issues with thin tape?

Doge

No, he did other Flanders/Belgium cobbled races with no issue with thin tape.

It was a learning experience.

jwill911

Different strokes for different folks. I wrap my bars first with cloth tape then wrap with Fizik soft touch tape. The tape remains in place without slipping or shifting. Not a lot of soft padding but just makes for a slightly heftier feel. I like the better grip of the soft touch, sort of a fine suede feel.

Just my .02
John

grolby

That's what she said.

Seriously, though, I agree. My preferred tapes are either Arundel Gecko or what used to be called Fizik Microtex. The 1.8 mm Lizard Skins tape will do in a pinch. The biggest improvement I've found in bar comfort comes from using a modern bar with an ovalized top section. An oblong shape is much more ergonomic than a round one.

jamesdak 

Interesting and not what I would have expected from my own experience riding, limited as it is. My favorite has turned out to be a thicker synthetic cork tape with bar gel underneath. Although this is on the thinner vintage bars. The roads I ride are terrible and that give me the best comfort. Of course I do ride over the rough stuff with a very light grip allowing the bars to sorta dance in my hands. Probably not possible over long stretches of cobblestone.

Of course tire size/pressure and the right fork seem to make more of a difference to me on the rough stuff then bar tape.

Almost makes me what to try something superthin on one bike for the heck of it. Almost....

Dave Cutter

I buy dirt-cheap cork tape from China (direct). I pay like... $2.50 or $3. I sometimes (depending on the bars) like a little extra cushion... to get more width (arthritic hands). So I take a strip or two of the old tape and put it (flat) under the new wrapped tape.

I got my wrapping training watching YouTube videos.... and lots of practice. I am still not as good as I'd like to be.

PepeM

I choose bartape based solely on looks.

FBOATSB

Aluminum bars, one layer of black Newbaums, two coats of shellac. No gloves.

f4rrest

As long as we're confessing...

Wrapping the bars terrifies me.

zymphad

Why? It's so easy... Easiest part of putting a bike together.

Doge

Just don't do one without the other. It is the system that matters.
Do carbon bars/thin and reasonable/no gloves and bend your elbows - a lot.

f4rrest

With new tape there are no wear lines, threads or finite registration surfaces involved, which leaves success open to interpretation.

Literally everything else I've done.

San Pedro

Seems like something I would mess up too.

f4rrest

I'll change your hub bearings if you like...

jamesdak 

Carbon bars??!!

If I put carbon bars on any of my bikes the disturbance in the force would most likely shift the earth off it's rotational axis thus ending life as we know it!



Seriously though, the thought of trusting carbon bars is something this old fool just isn't ready for. Maybe one day....

TMonk

I use carbon bars on race rigs and have a policy of using them for maybe 2 or 3 seasons or a crash, whatever happens first. Kinda expensive if you think about it.

In general I agree with @jamesdak and don't trust carbon parts as much. My training bike is devoid of carbon outside of the frameset.