Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: vknez on December 17, 2023, 05:56:28 AM
-
What handlebar tape you recomend? I prefer the comfiest one. From Aliexpress or some other site.
-
Once I tried Arundel Rubber Gecko bar tape I won’t use anything else. I can get it for $20 at my LBS and under $30 online. Grippy and comfortable.
-
i am a lizard skins guy, the thickest version
-
Has anyone tried this?
Wolf Tooth 5mm tape
It is thick, so in theory good for gravel? I usually put double bar tape on my handlebars, but I am tempted to try this.
-
I wanted more cush on my gravel bike, bikepacker, and 29er hardtail. (22.2 carbon "H" bars) I purchased foam insulation that fits perfectly on these bars, then covered them with ZTTO brand tape. This makes the OD of the bars about the same OD as my MTB grips. For my size hands, I like the larger OD much better than regular tape wrapped road or gravel bars. On rough gravel roads and singletrack I love this combination of foam and then wrap.
https://www.harfington.com/products/p-1369365
-
I go with Deda Traforato for road. its very light, comfy and cheap!
-
I have Ergon BT Gravel on order. Also available as an allroad or road version. Seems to be great quality but maybe on the shorter side if you have a wide bar.
-
There are gel pads available for the hood and drop position.
Putting them under the bartape is much more comfy than any tape alone.
When I had problems with my wrists I used them, they really helped me.
-
There are gel pads available for the hood and drop position.
Putting them under the bartape is much more comfy than any tape alone.
When I had problems with my wrists I used them, they really helped me.
I used to run gel pads on my road bikes. Expensive versus how much it helped. Even though they had adhesive to hold them to the bars, any tape I used would squish around on the gel and moved around. When I wrapped my tape as tight as possible, then the gel pad really didn't provide enough cushion, only some vibration damping. This is why I shifted to foam bar covering. Inexpensive, cushy 360 degrees around the bars and most bar tape grips really well to the closed cell outside.
-
I use enve tape on everything these days
-
i am a lizard skins guy, the thickest version
Me too, they are great. Also a good visual pair with a black Brooks Cambium saddle. I also layer gel padding underneath, usually Fizik brand.
It normally retails for between $35-$40 but AliExpress also sells it for way cheaper. I bought two rolls from AliEx and compared them side-by-side to an ostensibly genuine set from Amazon and couldn't tell any difference. That said, I haven't installed or ridden on the AliEx tape, so I don't know if it's functionally different.
-
I used to run gel pads on my road bikes. Expensive versus how much it helped. Even though they had adhesive to hold them to the bars, any tape I used would squish around on the gel and moved around. When I wrapped my tape as tight as possible, then the gel pad really didn't provide enough cushion, only some vibration damping. This is why I shifted to foam bar covering. Inexpensive, cushy 360 degrees around the bars and most bar tape grips really well to the closed cell outside.
Well... that's less than optimal. I didn't have this experience with the gel pads. What foam do you use? Currently I am fine without additional damping but still good to know options.
For the tape question:
If you can get tape from ciclovation, this is very comfy. And extremely long lasting. I was able to get 2 sets at Aliexpress (they were not cheap.. around 30$). I use one of them for my powertrainer bike... entering the third winter now. Looks still like new tape, although I unwrapped it one time for maintenance and wrapped it up again. :o usually that's how to kill a tape.
I can't order anymore from the shop that used to have ciclovation. Sad... a lot of shops closed their shops for my country.
-
I wanted more cush on my gravel bike, bikepacker, and 29er hardtail. (22.2 carbon "H" bars) I purchased foam insulation that fits perfectly on these bars, then covered them with ZTTO brand tape. This makes the OD of the bars about the same OD as my MTB grips. For my size hands, I like the larger OD much better than regular tape wrapped road or gravel bars. On rough gravel roads and singletrack I love this combination of foam and then wrap.
https://www.harfington.com/products/p-1369365
What sizing did you go for with the foam insulation? I'm thinking you maybe went for something smaller than the diameter of the bars, so you had a tight fit once installed?
-
I only use Serfas bar tape in brown marble. It's stretchy, has good cushion, non-residual adhesive, easy to clean with water or alcohol and can be reused and still look new.
Serfas website:
https://www.serfas.com/shop/products/bar-tape/cork/bt-synthetic-cork-tape/?location=3326,%204017%20Tropico%20Way,%20Los%20Angeles,%20CA%2090065,%20USA&radius=25 (https://www.serfas.com/shop/products/bar-tape/cork/bt-synthetic-cork-tape/?location=3326,%204017%20Tropico%20Way,%20Los%20Angeles,%20CA%2090065,%20USA&radius=25)
US Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Cork-Tape-Brown-Marble/dp/B001V6Q6LY (https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Cork-Tape-Brown-Marble/dp/B001V6Q6LY)
-
I like Lizardskins DSP tape. It typically costs $30-$40 a roll in the U.S., but I've found it for as low as $7.50 on AliEx. I've compared the AliEx Lizardskins tape side-by-side with a set I bought from a bike store, and they are identical, even down to the packaging. I put it on my wife's bike and couldn't tell difference in feel or performance, either. So, a fantastic AliEx deal, in my opinion.
It also matches well with black Brooks Cambium saddles.
-
I like Lizardskins DSP tape. It typically costs $30-$40 a roll in the U.S., but I've found it for as low as $2.50 on AliEx. I've compared the AliEx Lizardskins tape side-by-side with a set I bought from a bike store, and they are identical, even down to the packaging. I put it on my wife's bike and couldn't tell difference in feel or performance, either. So, a fantastic AliEx deal, in my opinion.
It also matches well with black Brooks Cambium saddles.
could you provide a link to that cheap one, as i like Lizardskins but i think they are way to expensive.
-
could you provide a link to that cheap one, as i like Lizardskins but i think they are way to expensive.
Curious about that one too.
I've bought many supacaz clones on AliX, i'm very pleased w them. Usually they cost 5-6 eur shipped to Europe. I've put around 8k km on mine, i think, black, it shows its age, but it's still fine. I've removed it and put it back on several times (including a cockpit swap), it doesnt tear, it's great. I followed the miami bike shop YT guy's video on how to tape w/o using electrical tape, starting from the tops, and it looks great, and works great. I always, always, always ride w gloves, having crashed enough to learn my lesson. It's the best tape i've used, and i've been seen using legit fizik tape :/
-
Another upvote for the Supacaz clones from me.
I hate removing bar tape that has adhesive backing, especially when they tear and leave behind sticky and crumbly residue. That's why I used to stick to PRO brand tapes with the tacky silicone backing. And they're excellent, but they don't exactly have the most interesting designs.
But I've found a way to use bar tape with adhesive backing without the downsides by combining two tricks:
- Wrapping first with electrical tape inside-out (as documented in Park Tools videos and elsewhere), and
- Removing the adhesive strip from the back of the bar tape. Not just the white protective strip, but the actual adhesive too. Typically it peels off easily once you get it started, but sometimes it tears part-way through and you have to get started again. The inside-out electrical tape provides enough adhesive strength to keep the tape in place, while still allowing for easy re-wraps and correction of mistakes (of which I make many).
-
I like Lizardskins DSP tape. It typically costs $30-$40 a roll in the U.S., but I've found it for as low as $2.50 on AliEx. I've compared the AliEx Lizardskins tape side-by-side with a set I bought from a bike store, and they are identical, even down to the packaging. I put it on my wife's bike and couldn't tell difference in feel or performance, either. So, a fantastic AliEx deal, in my opinion.
It also matches well with black Brooks Cambium saddles.
Any links for Ali?
-
Another upvote for the Supacaz clones from me.
[/list]
It has been my go-to for a while now but I find it wears through the pattern after 3000 km or so. I love the feel and don't mind replacing it once or twice a year.
-
could you provide a link to that cheap one, as i like Lizardskins but i think they are way to expensive.
I went back into my "Orders" section and found it, but the shop I bought it from closed. The store was: "Shop912724105 Store" and the listing was "Lizard Skins Rapha 2.7MM NASTRO Rapha Bicycle". Actual price was $7.62 and i ordered it November 18, 2023. So almost exactly one year ago.
I found an updated listing using the mobile app - it's $14.23 and a Choice item from Shop1104197020 Store. When I hit the "Share" button it gives me the following link: https://a.aliexpress.com/_ms5SdeT
-
I went back into my "Orders" section and found it, but the shop I bought it from closed. The store was: "Shop912724105 Store" and the listing was "Lizard Skins Rapha 2.7MM NASTRO Rapha Bicycle". Actual price was $7.62 and i ordered it November 18, 2023. So almost exactly one year ago.
I found an updated listing using the mobile app - it's $14.23 and a Choice item from Shop1104197020 Store. When I hit the "Share" button it gives me the following link: https://a.aliexpress.com/_ms5SdeT
I use silca from this link on my gravel bike and it's great
-
My favorite is Zipp Service Course CX. Anyone know of an Ali approximate for that model?