The TAB bar tape mixes a strong and breathable microfiber backing with a grippy and stylish silicone print. Excellent grip in all conditions and available in a standard, and silicone gel adhesive strip version that offers more comfort. Screwed bar ends included.
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Seido Tab handlebar tape – Technical details
Seido, which is Bombtrack’s own off-road cycling components brand, has made the Tab bar tape specifically for gravel riders where good grip is essential.
The tape is made of a mix of strong and breathable microfiber backing with a grippy and stylish silicone print on the top.
The Tab comes in single black colour and length (230cm) but you can choose between ‘normal’ and 3.8mm thickness (tested) – although Seido doesn’t specify the normal thickness.
For the installation, Seido has included a silicone gel adhesive strip and each set of bar tape comes with Seido-branded screwed bar ends.
Seido Tab handlebar tape – Performance
I must say that I have not seen many bar tapes like the Tab, so I did not know what to expect of it – and was pleasantly surprised when it delivered unparalleled grip and was very easy to wrap.
Starting off with the installation. Due to the materials, Seido has chosen for this bar tape, it doesn’t have much give to it – but it still wraps easily and is very light (100g for the pair). The silicone adhesive strip at the back is forgiving enough that I could adjust the width of my overlaps but once it’s sat on the bars for a while, it really sticks (I had to unpeel some of the bar tape to adjust cables).
Comfort is the most important factor of a bar tape and Tab delivered plenty. I found the thickness to be great for not making my handlebars feel chunky, but at the same time, it was effective at damping vibration from the gravel roads.
The star of this bar tape is the silicone tabs – which I am assuming have given the bar tape its name. They make the tape extremely grippy for both gloves and bare hands, no matter what the conditions, and I can assure you that most of my test rides have been miserably wet. I thought that the material might make this bar tape retain some moisture after those rides, but it’s been surprisingly good and dries out quickly.
In terms of longevity, I have been riding this tape now for a couple of months and it barely shows any wear apart from some dirt. It isn’t as smooth to wipe clean as a more silicone-based bar tape, but I’ve not found the tape to be uncomfortably dirty, and after all, there’s a reason for gravel tape to be black…
The 230cm length per roll is a standard and was plenty for wrapping my 38cm handlebars. And although they are not really affecting my scoring, I will mention that the finishing tape is not the best (as they usually aren’t) and started to peel off after the first few wet rides, but the screwed bar ends were a very nice touch and have stayed in place brilliantly.
Seido Tab handlebar tape – Verdict
The Seido Tab handlebar tape retails for £25 which is a competitive price considering the great performance. ESI RCT wrap original design bar tape which Matt reviewed recently retails for £39 and is too short (180cm) for many wide gravel bars, despite being super stretchy. Then we have Pat’s favourite: the ENVE Handlebar Tape that retails for £35 but according to Pat is the best handlebar tape he has ever used. I won’t argue that it definitely wins in terms of looks but seems to offer similar levels of grip.
I think for gravel bar tape the thickness is as important as grip in delivering comfort, and the Seido Tab handlebar tape delivered plenty of both in a lightweight package. It’s reasonably priced and despite the interesting look, it really is a great bar tape.
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Product purpose:
Build extra:
Black
MATERIAL
Silicone / Fiber mix
LENGTH
230 cm
EXTRA INFO
Grippy silicone strip pattern for optimal dry / wet grip. screwed barends included.
WEIGHT
100 g (3.8mm, incl. Barends and finishing tape)
Product construction
Product performance
Product durability
Product weight
Product weight extra:
Product comfort
product value
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