Why use handlebar tape

A silicone strip holds the tape in place and allows easier corrections or re-wrapping. The Selle Italia Smootape Gran Fondo is available in a range of 10 bright colours and supplied with plastic bar ends. The Deda Presa is a double density bar tape combining a bottom layer of EVA to reduce vibrations with Polyurethane for grip. This dual-density construction gives a balance in performance to offer a firm but forgiving feel. Grip and breathability are enhanced using perforated details along the centre of the wrap.

These perforations also provide a subtle addition of colour along with understated black on black Deda logos. Deda includes two black branded push-in bar ends and finishing tape. Silicone backing helps reduce vibrations while riding and allows easy re-application if required. Colours are somewhat limited with a range only featuring four dual colour options and a classic all-black version. Expanding nylon bar end plugs are included giving a nice finish over standard push-in plastic bar ends.

By combining EVA Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and cork, Cinelli was able to create a thin wrap that is soft, tear-resistant and comfortable when riding with or without gloves. Available in six colours which have a pleasant speckled look. Two Cinelli branded plastic push-in bar ends are supplied. Brooks Leather bar tape caters perfectly for those seeking a retro feel or a bar tape that matches their faithful Brooks saddle.

The tape is perforated to provide some texture and ventilation and offers a firm bar feel. If you prefer more padding it would be worth pairing with some gel pads or a softer bar tape underneath.

As with all leather products, this bar tape is very hard-wearing and should last a lot longer than synthetic counterparts, plus as it ages the bar tape will develop a patina giving your bike a pleasant weathered look. Two colour matched rubber bar ends plugs and adhesive cloth strips are included with the tape to finish it off. Of course, this tape will not appeal to all, however, Brooks does offer microfibre and rubber tape alternatives that match its animal-free saddles.

As with any purchase, you need to have a grasp of what you want to get out of the product you're buying, and the same goes for bar tape. Bar tape, while a seemingly basic purchase at first glance, will throw up many different options, each of which serving a subtly different purpose, such as comfort, road feel and feedback, style, colour, wet-weather grip, dry-weather grip, durability, and more. So to get it right the first time, you'll need to have a think about what you prioritise.

To help you decide, here are a few common scenarios. Bar tape material has come a long way since the early days, but none of the early materials have been made entirely redundant. Over the years, we've seen cotton, cork, leather, vinyl, foam, and more.

Cork and leather have been popular for decades for their levels of grip, comfort and for a classic look, but they do have limitations. The most commonly found bar tapes nowadays are made using synthetic materials which can be combined with foam or gel for padding.

These modern bar tapes offer improved comfort, all-weather grip and are available in a wider range of colours or designs. Whether you're battling storms all year round or do your best to avoid the rain, grip is an important consideration when choosing the best bar tape for you.

Synthetic materials such as polyurethane can be made to have a tacky finish to provide grip in both wet or dry conditions for gloved or bare hands. Textured surfaces or perforations can also be used to give some extra purchase to the handlebar.

An element of breathability is also important to allow sweat and moisture to be drawn away from the hand and help maintain good levels of grip. Bar tape comes in a variety of thicknesses to suit feel and comfort.

The most common range is around 1. Traditionally, the best bar tape for racers is at the thinner end of this spectrum, because it offers a closer road feel and a direct response on the bike.

Conversely, gravel riders or endurance riders usually prefer thicker bar tape, which will lessen road buzz for more comfort and reduce potential numbness in the hands over a long distance. For rides such as the Paris-Roubaix or gravel riding, an even thicker bar tape can be used to reduce fatigue and help with control on rough surfaces. To add additional comfort to a favourite bar tape, gel inserts can be added under the tape, and some will even opt to wrap their bars with two rolls, doubling the thickness, although this will add an element of bulk to the handlebar.

Along with thickness, the length of the tape is also an important consideration, especially if you're using wide bars with more real estate to cover. If you pair a long tape with a narrow bar, you can be generous with your overlapping, increasing the thickness, or you can wrap it to the ideal thickness and cut off any excess. The same cannot be said the other way round; if you pair a short tape with a wide bar, you'll have to spread your tape more thinly, meaning smaller overlaps when wrapping, and thus, less overall thickness.

Most bar tape is available in a wide range of colours and styles to suit all tastes and fashions. Whether you want to play it safe with a simple black, colour match with details on your bike, or stand out with an eye-catching fluro hue, there will be a bar tape that suits. Remember lighter colours will quickly show dirt and grime and require a little extra care to keep looking at its best. If you're looking to simply fit and forget, then a classic black will stay looking good for the longest time.

On the underside of most bar tapes with the exception of cotton is a tacky strip that helps it grip to the bars and remain in place, and the way in which this tackiness is applied can be important. If you're a serial tinkerer when it comes to your bike setup, you might find that you need to unwrap your bar tape to move your shifters or replace brake and gear cables. Best Overall. Supacaz amazon. Fizik Tempo Microtex Bondcush Classic.

Fizik amazon. Most Customizable. ESI Grips amazon. Best for Gravel. Lizard Skins DSP. Lizard Skins amazon. Style Points. Super Sticky Kush Classic. Tacky and supple Long-lasting Forgiving. DSP 3. Very thick padding Smooths out jarring from rough terrain. Overkill for riders who want more contact with the bar.

Pro Gravel Comfort Tape. PRO competitivecyclist. Cushy on all surfaces Easy to wrap and rewrap. Durable Easy to keep clean. Thicker version can be hard to install. Silca Nastro Fiore. SILCA amazon. Subtle geometric design The stickiest tape we tested High quality. Tricky to wrap Limited color options Pricey.

Cinelli Cork. Cinelli amazon. Made of soft, natural cork Available in tons of colors. Hard to clean Can be less durable. Arundel Rubber Gecko. Arundel amazon. Thick Easy to clean Easy to maintain good grip.

Customizable thickness Easy to clean Easy to rewrap. BTP Woven. This kind of thickness is also suitable for a rider with large hands. Likewise, riders with smaller hands will want the feel offered by a thinner bartape.

Some riders also play around with different types of tapes and apply two layers of them. A slimmer, harder one at the base and then a softer more absorbent tape on top of that. Handlebar tapes are also a major style statement these days with riders often colour coordinating their bikes and bar tapes. It is worth noting that lighter shades are prone to picking up dirt a lot easier.

Brands like Supacaz are especially big in this segment offering many different textures, styles and a multitude of colours. Leave the handlebar installation to a good bike shop with experienced bike mechanics.

Bar taping is a skill and requires a level of skill and experience, Take your bike to your local bike shop and get it bar taped there. Many synthetic bar tapes these days cannot be reapplied twice as the material stretches out after one application. Vote count: 1. We're sorry this post was not that useful. As I keep riding, I continuously work on honing my riding skills. I like to ride whenever possible, especially with friends.