Expensive bar tape. Is it worth it???

Bumping a thread.
Bumping a thread.

Price has doubled. I thought picture might be helpful to someone. Wears well. 2 years later and product remains spongy, grippy dry and wet.
I bought tape because
1. Cheap.
2. Cork hence biodegradable (without knowledge of dyes but hoping non toxic landfill rather than rubbish post service life)

Todays price is $3.80 Australian. Twice of two years past. I doubt I’ll need to replace the tape per many many years.
Cork. Not as racy a direct feel but fantastic comfort when commuting.

This has already been said by

This has already been said by others but I’ll add a +1 to the, ‘bought Lizard Skins, was dissappointed’ response.

That’s the cheap tape. I
That’s the cheap tape. I taped my other bike first hence I managed to get the tape on the ends with this one. My mate offered me Lizard Skins with a stunning review but I used that. It’s a fixie, it’s comfortable tape at speeds my legs can do, it doesn’t look like it will last as long as the above tape yet I think I’ll get many many years out of it.
Tapes at 5-10 quid seem to get great reviews here. That tape is about 3 quid delivered. Losing a bit of response but it’s as thick as shit hence super comfortable. Maybe similar a middle handle being a thick sponge type gel cell seat.
The other bike with the cheap tape was ridden daily 6 months.. Often used. No problems besides initial installation but now knowing better if I need to tape a bar I’d probably do such slowly and measured.

I use cheap cork tape. Cost
I use cheap cork tape. Cost 2.5-3 quid per set.
I bought two sets to match red, green port, starboard on two bikes to continually assist with my knowledge.

I don’t think it’s as good as many other tapes but it ain’t wrong neither and it is cheap and comfortable!

Initially a bar end wouldn’t hold a tape end and it unraveled during a ride but maybe because I layed it on thick. I layed it thick because I couldn’t sit it properly. I’m no expert.
I redid the tape leaving the last inch or 2 of the bar ends absent of cork but thin wrapped the ends using gaff tape.
It’s comfortable, it works, it feels good on the drops with a more direct feel and there is another bike here with good tape that feels better on the bars but I didn’t wrap that. That uses masking tape as hood covers. Lol. The layers layed properly are probably easier to do with most of the more expensive tapes and being thinner it allows better responses to be had while riding.

Weight of cheap tape ain’t an issue. An alloy bike with alloy rims at 7.1 kg with 28 mm heavy tyres.
Best of luck..

3.5 years & 3 handlebars..?

3.5 years & 3 handlebars..?

wow!!

thanks for that

Anyone uses gel “pads” under

Anyone uses gel “pads” under the tape?

Or even has two layers of tape?

You have three contact points

You have three contact points with your bike: pedals, seat and handlebars.  No point in having an expensive rig if these touch points make it uncomfortable or look a mess.  Decent bar-tape is the easiest of these fixes and when put on properly lasts for ages.  I use F:zik tape, wrapped tightly (over gel and old tape on Thomson carbon bars).  Done properly its a fixture.  Mine has lasted 4yrs + at well over 10,000k per annum. I use electrical tape on the tape ends to make sure 

I do like the feel and

I do like the feel and tackiness of Lizard Skins, it costs a bomb and it wears out quicker than I’d like in my experience. 

I recently brought some rubber ‘Pro’ (shimano) tape, I’m very pleased with it so far, has the same tackiness and also feels sturdier somehow, time will tell if it is.  Still wasn’t cheap though.