[Mr. Hankey]

I got some Syntace Racelite Carbon bars on the way, and I was wondering what you guys suggest. I have this tape, on the bike now, and I love it. It is thin, and smooth, grips good, and I just freaking love it, except it is old and needs replaced. I would bet it is what came on my 5200 back in 2001. Here is a pic. There are no markings on it to distinguish anything.

I have the Bontrager Gel Cork tape on my beater bike, and I hate it. It is too thick, and too squishy. I want a gripy solid grip, not a sponge. Any suggestions? If anyone knows what came on Treks back in '01 let me know. I would love to get it again.

 

[LordOpie]

Elk skin bar tape!

 

[ire]

Elk skin bar tape!

LOL....you could get the Brooks leather bar wrap, that way you don't have to lace it up

 

[LordOpie]

LOL....you could get the Brooks leather bar wrap, that way you don't have to lace it up

except that lacing is easier and more consistent, plus, it's half the price of Brooks

 

[DirtyMike]

Just a basic cork tape works fine. Its easy to wrap bars

 

[Mr. Hankey]

Just a basic cork tape works fine. Its easy to wrap bars

I can wrap bars. I have done my beater a few times, and my good bike I unwrapped the stock bars, and re-wrapped on the Specialized OS ones on now. I have actually redone it a few times, it used to have moto style brake orientation, and I undid that. I have redone the stock tape 3 times.

What is a good cork tape to get. I can handle installation. The elk skin looks heavy and, I can't believe it is comfortable.

 

[James]

I loves me some cork bar tape! The other stuff just doesn't have the same feel to it. The white stuff gets dirty pretty quick though, but damn does it look good...

 

[BikeMike]

Cinelli cork would be the classic choice.

Edit: and that elk skin looks saweet!

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

The white stuff gets dirty pretty quick though, but damn does it look good...

preach on brother . i always run white bar tape to. just get a spray bottle full of alcohol and spray the bars down, then spray a rag down with it as well. kinda of wring the bars with the rag and presto

 

[DirtyMike]

I can wrap bars. I have done my beater a few times, and my good bike I unwrapped the stock bars, and re-wrapped on the Specialized OS ones on now. I have actually redone it a few times, it used to have moto style brake orientation, and I undid that. I have redone the stock tape 3 times.

What is a good cork tape to get. I can handle installation. The elk skin looks heavy and, I can't believe it is comfortable.

Any basic non gel cork tape. Be it Sp ed, Bontrager Cinelle whatever, just get regular cork tape. I run Sp barphats myself, wrapped them really tight, used the 4.5 mm for the sole reason of i have big hands, and wrapping as tight as i can without ripping the tape to make it hard as possible works great for me. But the tape itself is there basic nongell cork tape.

 

[DirtyMike]

You could always use the Cateye cloth tape...............Just kidding, anything like this

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/GR707B00-Cinelli+Cork+Bar+Tape.aspx

or this

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/GR610B00-Velo+Cork+Bar+Tape.aspx

you dont need anything overly fancy for a good comfy tape

 

[HRDTLBRO]

I actually like Fizik tape better than Cinelli...it feels smoother, and I can wrap it tighter than cork. It's easier to clean...if you are into that kind of thing...

 

[-dustin]

Agree with the Fizik tape. Stella Eleganza/ Rav-X is also nice. We just got in some Arundel tape that's interesting. It's got a texture to it that reminds me of an old golf glove I used to wear (Foot Joy Spider).

I just don't like plain cork tape.

 

[JRogers]

Another vote for Fizik tape. I like the feel better than cork- thinner (at least, easier to wrap thinner), better grip on the bar (particularly without gloves). I like Cinelli cork, but Fizik is better for me. I am not sure which is more durable, though. I use it on my cx bike and usually end up replacing the tape because it gets all torn up. The fizik tape has ripped quicker than cork usually does, but that might just be luck of the draw.

 

[Mr. Hankey]

Yeah, I do ride sans gloves. Gloves are heavy. Come winter time though I will be riding with gloves, but mostly on the beater. As soon as they salt the roads the Trek, will be on the trainer exclusively. I realy don't want any kind of texture tape. I would like to keep it blue if possible too. I like the color theme.

 

[splat]

both thee the Wife and I have leather handle bar covering Similar to what Opie posted . Ours is ( discontinued ) Rhode Gear Handlebar hide , and we don't do any thing special to it , and it has lasted for years

heres mine

[/QUOTE]

 

[LordOpie]

Splat, why'd ya wrap it that way? What's your opinion on the result?

I've been thinking about where I want the seam.

 

[ire]

Thats mean looking Splat, do you have the leather jacket to match??

 

[splat]

Splat, why'd ya wrap it that way? What's your opinion on the result?

I've been thinking about where I want the seam.

Well to get it to go around the brake hoods properly ( with out cutting the leather ) you have to lace it that way for the first 100 or so miles the seam is annoying , but then it wears down and you don't notice it any more.

 

[loco-gringo]

I quit riding with gloves since I started using this stuff. It kicks all ass.

 

[JoeRay]

Oz spec carbon Treks came with cinelli cork tape back in the day. The shade of blue you are looking for is 'jeans'.

The standard light blue cinelli tape is too light and looks plain wrong.

Or just go classic black, always in style.

Still wondering why anyone ever buys white bar tape....hmmm

 

[Mr. Hankey]

Oz spec carbon Treks came with cinelli cork tape back in the day. The shade of blue you are looking for is 'jeans'.

The standard light blue cinelli tape is too light and looks plain wrong.

Or just go classic black, always in style.

Still wondering why anyone ever buys white bar tape....hmmm

Good info. I got the bars yesterday, and to my amazement I redid the bars for the 4th tie with this stuff. Really resilient, and good for my constant tinkering. I am gonna find a supplier, and just get more of this. Real nice stuff. I gotta get some for my beater too. I put some White Bonty crap on it, and it looks like hell after a few rides, not to mention it is too squishy.

 

[DirtyMike]

Just to ad, I hate, absolutly hate white bar tape