Your Bar Tape Sucks! Here’s why…
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- Опубліковано 17 жов 2024
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If a rider is getting numb hands, it's probably not because of the bar tape. More likely bad fit is to blame.
Bar tapes does make marginal difference in comfort. It certainly dampens more micro vibrations than not having any tape at all😅
I would stick to 3mm eva tape because it’s reasonably light and very durable.
That’s true. 👍🏻
I use cheap EVA bar tape and I was under the impression that it was a compromise, thanks for the education.
You are welcome, more expensive bar tapes can feel really nice but they just at worth the cost of you ride a lot. 🙂
Amazing that is the bar tape I’m currently using, but it’s the Cinelli and I absolutely love it . Thanks for sharing the BBB option and non branded ones. I have the same problem locally with customers not changing tape. I find lots of corrosion under brake hoods etc.
You are welcome! Yes it’s one of the worst jobs to do as a mechanic. Especially when you remove the tape and clouds of white powdered aluminium and sweat are in the air. 🤢
Awesome honest content! Brings back cycling to the masses.
Always! 😎👍🏻
The best bar tape for ME is cotton. I don't give a fck about style because i dont give a fck about what others think and im not a sweaty bastard.
That’s the best way to be. I also don’t give a fornication. 😎
@reginaldscot165 Does your wife know?
Thank you for this! I just got a gravel bike, came with Specilized S-wrap bar tape its a ccork tape. I have been trying to figure out how often or when you should change your tape. I am terrified of ruining my bike. Does that 6 month rule of thumb apply if its sitting not ridden over the winter?
I think if the bike is going in storage it’s best to remove the old tape. And then put fresh on the next season. That way nothing is going to be growing unnoticed under your bars for 6 months. 🙂
I just bought some Cinelli cork gel tape on sale for around $20 US. Instead of adhesive on the back it has a grippy silicone bumpy strip which is actually very convenient for readjusting while installing or removing.
Yes that’s actually good stuff, BBB do one similar with EVA and it’s cheap. 🙂👍🏻
Reginald has all the right opinions. Hey Reginald, I have a question. I'm seeing on amazon that they have the gp5000s on sale, but I don't really need new tires yet. How long will unboxed tires stay fresh sitting in storage?
Well tyre suppliers will say don’t use anything over 2 years old. But I think they can last longer than that if stored in the right conditions. 👍🏻
Great video! Now tempted to buy lots of rolls of brilliant white EVA tape from Ali and keep changing it every few months :)
That sounds like a plan! You can probably get more discount if you buy in bulk! 😅 Just imagine the cost is only $3 on Aliexpress, the manufacturer is probably making 50% and the end branded seller is selling at $40. 😆
What do you think about the Pro (Shimano) bar tape? Have you ever used it?
I have fitted it to customer bikes, but I honestly can’t remember much about it. I will have to go look at some. 😅
I had great results with Pro tape.
This is detailed and informative. Thank-you, Reginald!
Glad it was helpful! 🙏🏻
Thanks for this video and information. I usually use supscaz and found it to be very good but expensive. This ment I did not change it every year. Anyway bought some of the cheap bb stuff and it wraps nicely and is comfortable. Thanks again
Glad it was helpful! 🙏🏻🙂
@reginaldscot165 very helpful and informative. Looking forward to your next excellent video
Never had corrosion like that and I go years between bar tape changes, maybe they just sweat too much in the wrong places?
🤢
I was wondering about different type of bar tapes, great info on their pros and cons! I tried those eva tapes and that leather feel ones, and got soft touch to try it out, but i will be avoiding tacky rubber ones like the plague given the information in the video(is there any rubber feel ones that don't have issue with longevity and durability??).
Yes you can also buy some cheap rubber tapes that are the same rubber material all the way through. A bit like the EVA. Basically the trick is to only buy tapes made of 1 continuous material rather than layers.
@@reginaldscot165 I went with the sure choice and bought that Fizik Tempo Microtex Bondcush Classic Bar Tape for my gravel bike when i eventually change the current cork tape(which i also like).. that other softtouch lifeline tape i have will remain a backup option. :)
I need a video like this but for cycling bibs.
Ok 👍🏻
I have an EVA bar tape in front of me, that must be around 20 years old, if not older. It was heavily abused, bike stored upside down in a stable for years, and there must have been an accident where the handle bar was bent a bit. Still, came off in one piece each side and could in theory be reused (yuck!). I have used similar bar tape on my bikes and also like the grip and feel of it. So, fully agreed, this is excellent bar tape.
Cool 😎 🙂
Interesting! I'll possibly give it a shoot. Gotta say as an avid fisherman, rod manufacturers started using EVA decades ago to replace cork. I never liked EVA compared to Cork. The manufacturers switched because of the sourcing high quality Cork. Funny you don't like Supacaz as I find it awesome.
By the time I've come to the end of your Video I've become convinced and will try out new tape.
Cool, yeah really not a fan of the caz, don’t like the feel of it when wrapping, don’t like the style, don’t like the price and I don’t like the weight. 😅
The perforated leather style is miles above the rest for looks. I find it comfortable as well, the thicker tapes makes the handlebar feel way too thick.
Agreed 👍🏻
Great pointers, thank you so much indeed.
My pleasure, thank you. 🙂
Different foam absorbs shock/pressure differently. Cheap generic ones feels noticeably worse when sustaining longer pressure versus ones that mix gel and foam. Plus, those with leather finish adds additional comfort. As for bar end caps, 3D print some yourselves that weigh 0.3g each.
First I’d need a 3D printer? Is it even possible to make an end cap that light and still work? 🤔🙂
You can buy some EVA tapes that have a gel glue strip on the back. They are super comfortable.
I've been using inexpensive EVA tape and really like it. Thanks for making it "cool".
Ha ha saving money is cool. 😄
Two layers of cinelli cork and no gloves on my road bike. Been doing that for decades. I've been using Arundel Gecko tape on my CX bike and it's been great too.
Cool 😎
My LBS had EVA tape in all colors and multi marble colors. It was really cheap, so I baught dozens- all different colors. I changed bar tape every month!! I got really good at taping my bars!!! Sadly, that LBS was baught out by another group and it went downhill until they filed for bankruptcy last year. Fortunately another investment group purchased it and now lives on.
Wow once a month! That’s impressive. 🙂
Tried most brands and found Lizard Skins DSP 2.5 to be the best for grip, comfort and longevity, with excellent bar end plugs.
Each to their own.
Hay if you like it. 🤷🏻♂️
Hmmm… Lizard Skins is pretty much the worst bar tape for the money you pay for it. Comfort is subjective, grip meh longevity - hell no! Oh they had the worse bar plugs for many years. They finally started using a screw-in bar plugs but previously the plugs sucked badly.
I use eva on my summer bike and prologo one-touch (rubber) tape on my rain bike which has maximum grip in the rain and doesn't soak up water. Living in Seattle this is important.
Cool 😎 👍🏻
I was impressed with the stuff that Canyon puts on their bikes for the brief time that I owned one. It's some kind of silicone material. Grippy and super plush.
Interesting, all the canyon I’ve worked on had some kind of EVA on them?
@@reginaldscot165 It came with the Ultimate when I got it last year. It's available on their website separately and they describe it as "Tacky, grippy and comfortable, the new Canyon Ergospeed Silicon Handlebar tape."
@@reginaldscot165 It definitely wasn't EVA. It's some sort of expanded silicone foam but the surface is smooth. You can find the stuff on their website. They describe it as "Tacky, grippy and comfortable, the new Canyon Ergospeed Silicon Handlebar tape." It's really good.
I bought my 2015 Masi Gran Corsa in 2017 for a really good price, and im just now going to replace the original bar tape soon, it's 9/15/2024 today. EVA it is, and I hope to find one with the sticky back.
I found one that's 2.8 mm thick x 30 mm wide and 2000 mm in length (2) for $7.00 US from China @ Amazon. It doesn't have the sticky back though. 😐 I think it'll be fine. Hopefully it won't move after I wrap it good and tight.
Yes make sure to wrap it tight and give it a slight stretch. If you want to know the best way to wrap your tape I have a video on that. It’s “how to wrap your tape the better (wrong) way.” 😁
I don't always agree with your hot takes, but I'm definitely on the same page with this one.
Cool 👌🏻
I find EVA bar tape to be extremely slippery when wet. I prefer to ride without gloves. On hot, humid days, holding onto EVA bar tape is like holding onto a wet ice cube for me. If you happen to get very sweaty and possibly have sunscreen on your hands from when you were applying it before your ride, good luck holding onto EVA bar tape in any meaningful way. I've had to stop in the middle of rides before because my hands were slipping all over the bars from this stuff. It's fine in the dry or when your palms aren't sweaty, but otherwise I avoid this stuff like the plague
Try gloves, I never ride without them and if you crash or need to clean glass off your tyres you will be glad you took them. Also maybe try a different EVA tape, perhaps some are slippery? The only time I’ve known them to become slippery in the wet is when they are really old and smooth from over use? So that’s why the 6 months matters. 😁👍🏻
Dang ! I bought Fizik Bondcush 3mm because of your last video. All good though - I’m not racing and losing a few more kilos from MY frame is vastly superior than losing 50 gms on bartape. Would not be able to notice any difference other than the weight of my wallet. Seriously though, it is much nicer than the OEM tape that was failing when I bought the bike. And it’s simply a consumable - like tyres & brake pads.
Did I recommend bondcush in my last video? I don’t even remember, sorry. 😳
The old Fizik leather touch was the best long lasting Bartape i ever had. A shame they don't make it anymore (maybe it was to good???) I don't like the look of the new classic tape cause its not complete black ...
Agreed 👍🏻
Been using Ali express eva tape for years. Cheap as chips. No adhesive, reverse wrap, job done.
Nice 😎
I've cycled at least a hundred thousand miles in my life. Ive tried every type, every generation of bar tape. What i have ended up doing is to use whatever cheap padded tape underneath, and then good old black Canadian hockey tape on top, maybe a couple layers. I stopped wearing cycling gloves in about 1990. Sometimes handle grips go on first and get hockey taped over. Hockey tape is designed to withstand cold, impact, moisture, rough handling and bad conditions. I'm 65, and I have big hands and they can go numb sometimes but i keep moving my hands around. I like making knobs or using tennis balls on the ends of bar attachments.
I'll never buy the super expensive stuff. Aalso you can clean your tape. Scrub it with soap and water.
I always try to use gloves, very useful in a fall. 🙂 I have no experience of hockey tape? I don’t even know what it looks like. 😅
Very useful insight.
Glad you think so! 🙏🏻
Glad you think so!
The smoking cyclist made me laugh
😅
If you do bike touring only the Eva tape like cinelli is going to work so just use that.
Thanks 😊
I have a confession to make and you’re not going to like this Reginald. I use Lizard Skins and stretch it 😮
Oh no 🙈 ha ha that’s ok, whatever you prefer. 👍🏻
Great job
Thanks 🙏🏻
Perfect!
More common sense from Reginald.
Thanks
Reginald Scot Style = practical, reliable, value for money optimised, Mr Shimano/Casio
Campagnolo Style = Patel Philippe of the cycling world
I think Reginald Scot style build suits EVA Tape very well. A overpriced Silca Bar tape would suit a Colnago with Campagnolo😂
Suparcaz with heavy bar end would suit Specialized.
Thank you my friend. 🙂🙏🏻
I have always been using EVA Tape long before you made this Video, because it’s very good value for money. Some looks very cheap, but I like the Cinelli and SRAM ones. Both are around 13€, and weighs only 50 grams! The plain Cinelli tapes are much cheaper but the camouflage Tape you have is expensive because of the graphics. I don’t consider Cinelli as a super expensive brand. Cinelli makes extremely lightweight tape- the wave tape weighs only 30 grams, but doesn’t last as long as the standard tapes, and bit more expensive.
I definitely prefer the branded ones than from Ali Express. Ali Foam tape is like wrapping the bars with plastik or paper and gives absolute no comfort!
Good comment 👍🏻🙂
which brand and model do you recommend?
That’s what the video is for.
I found the Prologo onetouch is the best, after trying many. It's light, great grip and longevity, and not expensive.
Good info. Replacong tape every 6 months as a rule is excessive though.
Excessive? Foolish in my opinion!
Depends where and how much you ride. If you live in a hot humid place it’s very important. If you live in a very cold climate not so much. 🙂
Excessive? I would argue that it depends how much you ride and what a sweaty mess you are 😂
Zipp Service Course CX / $25. Best deal out there. Excellent wearing tape.
Is it? 🙂
BBB GravelRibbon for the win. It's extra thick and long (that's what she said)
Nice 😎
team no bar tape where you at!
😅
the bar tape debate is almost on par with the hambini bb saga.
I guess the old used flat inner tube underwrpping is forgotten
Yes you can do that also. 🙂👍🏻
I do find Cinelli end plugs don't want to stay put, even in their own bars !!
Ha ha.
The EVA foam tape cost 2 Brunei dollars in the Philippines
Makes sense to me. 👍🏻
I'd be surprised if there wasn't a weight weenie out there who had not only ditched bar tape altogether but also had machined some knurling onto the bar itself to save a few extra grams and provide grip. Who needs comfort?
That’s… that’s definitely an idea. 🤔
Is it the spongy stuff that soaks up water!?
Yes 3 gallons of it. 😜
@@reginaldscot165 when I was a kid I slid the foam grips on with soapy water... Every time it rained I'd leave a trail of bubbles 🤣
@@Lacking_something😂
Bar tape is an entirely personal choice, saying there is a best one is like saying there's a best color. I like EVA tape and sell it in my shop but on my own bike I prefer Lizard Skin 3.2mm tape. Fizik tape is ok but I've tried it and it's not for me.
I disagree. There are many ways to judge something. The item that possesses the highest number of best features is the best item. You can apply that method to basically everything. The fact that you think lizard skin is good enough for your bike means it meets requirements that you deem important, if I could find a tape that meets all those requirements and is cheaper, that would make it better than lizard skin.
@@reginaldscot165 For me feel and looks are absolutely the most important criteria for choosing bar tape and no one can judge that except myself. What you deem the best tape (EVA) is not the best for me, just like my favorite color (green) may not be yours.
Is it orange bar tape? Then NOT interested
It can also be orange 🍊 😅
Ha, I know Supakaz is among the least satisfying wrap to install or ride on...
No doubt! 😆
Supakaz is what I have on my tcr’s and it’s a good price on Amazon.
You wanna look at the Silca Bar tape 😂😂 £50 quid for it
Yikes 😱
🏆👍
👍🏻
GOAT tape is Cinelli Tennis Raquet tape. Comes in one long roll, bit of a turd to fit but 100% worth it. Comfort, grip and looks are second to none. Think about it, it is designed to be used and abused for tennis, it just last so long
Interesting 🙂
@@reginaldscot165 I like the comfort and wear of Cinelli cork but it kinda wraps lumpy.
I run mostly on the hoods so i dont care and run eva bar tape , dont like the flzik specially the perforated one, because give a free ticket for your salty sweat to get between your bar tape and alloy bar and do a corrode fest if you sweat a lot and never use gloves.
True. 👍🏻
supercaz very good but not last long. the only i trust for durability is bar tape made from cork prologo
Nice 👍🏻
As a leather crafter, I made my own bar tape from vegetable natural tanned leather. This is for me the perfect item to promote my other leather goods made from the same leather. When I explain to a customer that the leather I use is super high quality, I show them my bar tape on my bike explain it's here since more than a year, rode thousands of kilometers with it, it was heavily abuse with long sun exposure, sweat, rain, snow, for near 2 years with zero maintenance with the material that is still in good shape. I just sometimes remove the bar tape just to check my handlebars are ok for safety reason. It's not the lightest bar tape (around 100gr for both side), not the gripiest, but the leather patina looks so good on my steel bike and it feels also great on the touch.
That sounds very cool 👌🏻 😎
3mm ENVE or bust! 😂
🤷🏻♂️🙂
I could never bring myself to spending money on Supacaz or Lizard Skins tape - too expensive, probably bruises like a peach and rips like a receipt in your pocket. Some things can just be simple and cheap and work better than the pretentious 'alternatives'...
Great point!
30 seconds in. Everybody watch the magic hands. Think deeply on it. Ask yourself if it warrants you telling youtube not to recommend this channel...
If it does, click on the 3 dots on the corner of the video while in youtube recommendations, select do not recommend channel.
Interesting information 👍🏻
Huh?
Just someone complaining to themselves. 😅
@@reginaldscot165 oh 😂 nice deflection. I can learn from you 😂
@@reginaldscot165 Lol. You're not getting off so easy twinkle toes.
1) Bar tape is irrelevant, no need to waste 30 minutes describing why I've made the wrong choice cause any choice is fine
2) If you spend hours and hours staring down at your bar tape, like Reginald apparently, then you've got issues and are unsafe to be around anyone else. If you choos to do this please stay on your trainer because that is the only safe place for you to be riding
3) I couldn't could stand any more of the nonsense that is this video...
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! All the best. ❤️