Getting a handle on bar tape: the tape thread

Any tips for something like lizard skin 2.4? Lizard skin has been my go-to for years but the recent stuff seems to constantly unravel

I’ve been using V2 happily. Seems the surface doesn’t disintegrate like it used to at times. Sweat seems to affect it a little more.
Unravel from where?

I wrapped some of this a while ago and haven't have it unravel. Best advice I could give without seeing how you've wrapped it is pull it tight as you dare (despite the advice to the contrary on the tape), keep it tight as you go and make sure you're getting the sticky backing onto the bars not over the previous wrap of tape.

If this it telling you how to suck eggs, I will humbly piss off!

We keep using the new Odi.tape, almost identical to lizard skin but about half the price.

Got a link?
I generally buy LS in sales keep till needed

Currently trialling this tape. Very grippy as @andyp says and didn't have any issues on my long ride to Paris and back.

https://www.odigrips.com/products/2-5mm-performance-road-bike-bar-tape

I don't know how long it's been in the UK.

Madison are pushing it so I'd imagine lots of shops holding it

Same factory I’m told

Cheers. I think it is a frequent issue with a certain version of the LS tape as it has been grumbled about on here before by a few different users.

Cheers, I bought a few rolls. Seems decent

no thanks to whoever recommended arundel bar tape in here a while ago. less than 10 rides and the upper layer of the tape is disintegrating/coming away from the base... unsure if i got a duff but I have never had bartape this crap before

obviously a chance of user error too but looks like i am back to wiggle tape :(

It was me, I think.

I've never had that with Arundel (definitely had it with Lizard Skins). I've one bike which has done approximately 4k miles with the same tape and it barely shows any sign of wear still. I wonder if you got a bad batch?

I wonder if you got a bad batch?

quite potentially. shame as it looks and feels really great!

Not sure if anyone has used Pro, don't. The foam is separating from the top layer, not great. Got it because it was cheap!

i am (was) a big fan of Shimano Pro tape and always got the LBS to wrap my bars with it as it felt nice and thick. However, a while back the mechanic said he thought that the 'recipe' had changed and it wasn't as good as before.

Yeah, IME Arundel has been tough as nails.

Covid threw a spanner in the works for the QC of a lot of reputable companies, maybe that was it.

I read the previous page regarding using inner tubes.. I would always put a couple of layers of loom tape on below my actual bar tape.. 1 layer to keep the cables in place and then another for comfort.. It hasn't really got adhesive on it, it just stick together, so can be removed..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175350884415?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=LIkPu6_KTu-&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=b67trsZoSeq&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I've had V1 kinda separate and the top come away on lizard skins but not had the same with V2 have you?

For the bargain hunters and those who go against the black grain, fizik bartape for £5

https://www.velosport.co.uk/facetresultsalt.aspx?Term=fizik%20tape

In store they had loads more colours and the terra version too. I bought three different rolls.

The fabric (now Cannondale) knurl or hex tape for me lasts ages.

Ooh nice, good tape too - shame none of the colours suit my bikes!

Just fitted some Vel + bar tape, really nice, slightly rubberised/gimp like but gentle stretch means it goes on very nicely. Comes with decent bar end plugs (which I didn’t use) but importantly the finishing tape is actually decent - I used electrical tape as usual but the supplied tape is similarly rubberised, almost vulcanised, so gives a really clean finish

I'm trying and failing to find some tape that color matches this 3T gunmetal bar and stem.

I thought with all the ti bikes this would be easy and there's be loads of options, but I keep finding the greys are lighter in real life than displayed in pics on the web, and I've not found anything I'm really happy with.

I'd prefer it to have a kind of sheen/shine like the stem, and here's what I've got so far:
(my work bike now has enough tape to last the rest of the decade with the fails).

From left to right, with the left being the current favorite, but would prefer it if it was a little darker is Velox Guidoline. The next one from the left is Fizik which also has a nice shine, but again is just too light a color, and the others, Lizard Skins, Deda and Condor are definite no-no's.

Anyone got any other suggestions? I get grey has not got the pazazz to get the marketing department excited, so let me know if there's any jazzier search terms I should be using like Shinyium or whatever for more results.

Arundel Gecko?

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Arundel-Gecko-Grip-Bar-Tape_228856.htm?variations=colour:Grey,size:One%2520Size&sku=747378

Cheers Andy, heard its good tape but its looks a bit too matte to me.

Still think the Velox is leading the race. I'm off to Halfrauds tomorrow to audition the SupacazBling (cringe) tape, first impressions are it looks a bit too silvery but we'll see.

In a similar vein I came across this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ciclovation-Leather-Touch-Handlebar-Platinum/dp/B09TFZCY1X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ciclovation+platinum&qid=1700069067&sr=8-1
....but the colour in the pics varies a bit, and I don't fancy dropping nearly 40 quid on bar tape on the off chance, and I can only find it at Amazon, who I'd rather not use if possible.

(shuffles off to investigate how to age silvery tape to make it look more ti, using old tea leaves or any stuff I've got around the flat),

Or perhaps the easiest and most obvious option is just fit the silver tape and ride it around for the rest of November and December, which is bound to take the edge of the silvery-ness and dull it enough.