Bike Parts - Bar Tape
Bar tape wraps around the handlebars of your road bike, touring bike, triathlon bike or any other style of bike which has handlebars that do not suit standard hand grips. Bar tape is generally made from cushioned materials that help absorb road shocks and vibrations and comes in an assortment of textures, styles and colours.
Choosing the right tape is important and you need to think about your personal and riding needs. Do you want a smooth texture that is easy to clean or a rough texture for improved grip? Do you wear gloves? Do you perspire and find your hands slip on the bar tape? Does the colour and style match or enhance the overall appearance of your bike? How long do you want the tape to last? Are you looking for added comfort?
Bike Ribbon Eolo is one of the smooth retro bar tape options currently available on the market. It is well padded and very easy to keep clean but tends to be a bit slippery for cyclist with sweaty palms so wearing gloves with this type of bar tape is recommended. Smoother textured bar tapes generally have a shiny appearance that can lift and enhance the overall look of your bike and tend to last the longer than other types of bar tape.
SRAM Cushioned bar tape has a soft grippy texture that is comfortable with or without gloves. Like cork styles of bar tape, it is more difficult to keep clean and has a shorter life span than smooth textured bar tape. If you race, like to get out of the saddle for sprints or tackle hills and mountains, the added grip this type of bar tape provides may better suit your needs.
Like everything, bar tape wears out and customers regularly ask us how often their bar tape should be replaced, how long it should last? Materials, use and maintenance vary the lifespan of your bar tape. Some riders prefer to keep their bike looking fresh and new and will replace their bar tape as soon as it starts to fade or slip. Other riders will milk ever last ounce out of their bar tape, only replacing it when it starts to unravel and has multiple tears in it. Personally, I replace my bar tape every 1000 to 1500 kms. When it starts to fade and detract from the overall appearance of my bike, its time for some new bar tape. I also like to change colours on a regular basis and will often match the colour of the tape with the tyre colour. $20 to $30 each month is a small price to pay to keep my bike looking great!
