Getting a handle on bar tape: the tape thread

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BTSBT/samurai-bar-tape

Anyone know any physical shops that stock, Lizard Skin Camo or Fizik Tacky coloured??

I'm eternally troubled by the tape/saddle mismatch on my Ribble: dark brown tape vs. slightly faded black cambium saddle. What's going to be a bar tape that won't look shit with the saddle? other criteria are that it's got reasonable padding. Cinelli gel cork in black looks like it's not the darkest of black out the box?

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Don't they do actual Cambium bar tape made from the same material?

Don't they do actual Cambium bar tape made from the same material?

That makes way too much sense!

https://www.brooksengland.com/en_eu/accessories/grips-bar-tape/cambium-bar-tape-4.html

Yeah that would be way to easy! Also, it's not padded at all is it?

Do a couple of wraps of hockey tape underneath? This is what I do with Bike Ribbon, makes a nice subtle difference.

I got new bar tape and the packaging says to wrap from inside to outside. That can't be the right way, right?! Don't I unwrap it while riding?

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That's the way I've always wrapped it and it's the way Park suggest to do it, https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/handlebar-tape-installation-drop-bars

GCN also says from inside to outside. I'll try that!

Have been trying the Wiggle Lifeline pro bar tape. very stretchy and tore when I cut the holes and wrapped for di2 sprinter buttons. I left it on though and it rides well enough. without mitts it feels slippery but with mitts or gloves the grip is fine.

True... but you can fix that by using with gel pads. I run this setup with standard Brooks leather tape... “classic” and comfy-ish. Specialised Roubaix tape is my fave though... super comfortable, easy to wrap, lasts forever and grippy wet or dry.

Anyone any idea what tape this is? It came on a bike I bought and I would like to get some more..

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That looks a bit like FWE tape that came on my Principia (white tape).

Excuse the state / colour / mess / phone photo

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Many thanks, will check that out..

Definitely FWE Vex tape, decent stuff.

Anyone have a good source for good old fashioned splash bar tape? Saw some options on wiggle, sjs, as well as some modern offerings from Cinelli and LizardSkins. But couldn't really find a good range of colours anywhere.

I bought something else in the end, which is probably a good thing.

Have some yellow/red/black sitting around you are welcome to.

That looks like PRO Digital to me. That was great stuff but I can't find it anywhere now.

I bought some NOS ones on eBay which were great! Still have a set left. Search "Silva Cork Handlebar Tape".

Recommendations for a thin, grippy, black bar tape? I’ve been using Arundel Gecko for ages. Nice and thin but it takes ages to dry out if it gets soaked and the top layer has worn off eventually on the high traffic areas.

Thinking something silicone-y. Suggestions or places in London to go and finger some?

not especially thin, but definitely grippy - i really like the supercaz super sticky kush tape.

if you pull it tight you it feels pretty thin but still with bit of cushion.

nice screw in plugs too.

not cheap though.

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Supacaz/Super-Sticky-Kush-Single-Colour-Bar-Tape/EHSC

Was just looking at that... skimming reviews someone gave it 6/10 saying it was hard to wrap and wore quickly.

I've been quite impressed with the LifeLine Pro stuff. Not tried one of the 'sticky' type before, but it's actually very nice. I'm sure there's much better stuff out there but for £12 it's good

I really really like my Fabric Knurl tape, steadily putting it on all my bikes. You could have a feel of mine if I lived near you but I probably don’t.