Which handlebar tape is best

Available in four different colours, the only problem we found was the lighter colours were a bit harder to keep clean. You might think that your handlebar tape is mainly there to make your bike look good, but this is probably the most important contact point between yourself and your bike, so it's important that it gives you secure grip so you can control your machine in all conditions.

Look for a handlebar tape with a nice tacky finish that you help you maintain grip when riding in wet conditions - something that is particularly important if you're riding without gloves. Another very important aspect of handlebar tape, especially for those riding without gloves, is its padding.

Especially on long rides over rough roads, your hands and wrists can take a real pounding, so look for some handlebar tape with plenty of padding to reduce the vibrations being transmitted to your body. If you're riding on particularly rough roads or even cobbles then consider wrapping your bars with two layers of tape for even more protection.

Assuming you've watched the video above and are planning to fit your own handlebar tape, then it's worth looking around for a few reviews to see how easy it is to wrap. In general thinner tapes will be easier to wrap as they will be more flexible, but might be prone to bunching at the bends in the bars.

Most handlebar tapes are made from one of three different materials: cork, leather, ora synthetic materials. If you're after a really luxurious feel, then leather or cork are hard to beat, however they are often more expensive than synthetic options. If you're a sucker for white bar tape, then its also worth finding an option usually synthetic that will be easy to clean, as the last thing you want is your sharp white tape turning brown from mud or sweat after only a couple of rides.

Certain members of the cycling community will tell you that your handlebar tape must either match the colour of your saddle, or match the colour of the head tube, or be black, but we say just go for whatever colour catches your eye.

Wrapping the last stretch of tape should leave you with an edge perpendicular to the bar. Secure this with electrical tape. Push as much of the overlapping tape as possible into the bar end and tamp the plug into place. Read our guides on how to wrap bar tape like a pro , best aero wheels and does shaving your legs make you faster. Sign up for our newsletter Newsletter. Secondary menu. The best road bike handlebar tape and how to wrap it. Cyclist magazine 12 Aug Here are the eight best bar tapes of 1.

See related. How to choose the correct road bike bars. The best cycling deals: All the best Cyber Monday deals Best aero bikes Ride faster. Best bike locks: how to keep your bike safe. 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. All colors have spots of cork that users think looks great. However, please note that the lighter colors can easily get dirty! With a thickness of 2mm, this tape is great for those who prefer feeling the road better to having more shock absorption. This is needed if you want to venture into bike racing or keep beating your personal best when it comes to biking times. This tape will not feel bulky at all.

The tape consists of microtex, which is a thin material that offers great handling and control. Buyers love the way it looks on their bikes and that it stretches well when installed. You get two 2. With a 3 mm thickness, it also provides a lot of comfort and shock absorption. The Domain tape comes with two rolls, each giving you 2. This will be plenty for you to wrap your handlebars several times around with this amount.

The surface is an anti-slip polyurethane leather-look alike, so this should provide a stable grip. The gel strip that secures the tape to the bar adds to this as well.

There are some reported issues with longevity and that the tape starts coming off within six months, especially after riding in rainy climates. Also, the colors may look different from the ones advertised, as several users feel like the red color is actually orange.