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review
PROMicro-fibre-bar-tape.jpg£14.99
VERDICT:
Good looking and easy to use tape, though not the most padded
Weight:
100g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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Pro Micro-fibre Bar Tape looks good, and with perforations throughout has an almost vintage appearance. It wraps nicely, but has only a little padding, which might mean it's a bit uncomfortable for some.
Pro, Shimano's accessories brand, is known for its stems, handlebars and seatposts, but it also makes bar tape and the little things you need on a bike to complete it.
> Find your nearest dealer here
The first place to start when reviewing handlebar tape is ease of application, and this was one of the easiest to apply that I have used. It wrapped around complicated angles and shifters without a problem, and the extra adhesive strip worked well going round the shifter bracket.
It stays in place well, too, thanks to its Smart Silicone adhesive back. I even managed to reapply it (on a singlespeed with no shifters) with no kind of issue. Throughout the test I didn't have a problem with anything moving out of place, even when pulling hard on the bar.
A key element to both the lack of movement and the ease of wrapping is that it's a thin, lightweight, leather-look tape. Because of this it won't be for everyone – it doesn't tend to kill much road buzz, so isn't the most comfortable over long distances on uneven roads. That said, with a set of mildly cushioned mitts, I didn't find it too bad at all.
It certainly looks good, with the perforations throughout making me think of vintage bikes. These perforations serve a purpose beyond looks, providing additional grip. The grip on the tape isn't the best I've used, but certainly isn't the worst either, especially given the smooth finish, which I think looks better than the more textured options.
The RRP of £14.99 seems a fair price to pay for something that looks this good and wraps well. Even more so when you consider how durable and well made it seems, with around six weeks of use not leaving any kind of mark or fold anywhere.
Overall, I was impressed. With the lack of padding it might not be for everyone, but if you want classy looking and strong performing tape at a fair price, this could be the answer.
Verdict
Good looking and easy to use tape, though not the most padded
road.cc test report
Make and model: Pro Micro-fibre Handlebar Tape
Size tested: n/a
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Pro says: "A lightweight and good looking bar tape that is easy to wrap and durable."
It's certainly not the most padded I have used, but at the same time it is durable and good looking.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Hi-End and lightweight synthetic leather tape
Smart Silicone Adhesive back
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Seems well made, easy to apply and no scuffs or scratches throughout the review period.
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Easy to put on and relatively comfortable on the bar.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
No marks, folds or tears throughout the review and unlikely to occur in the future.
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
6/10
Some more padding might be nice, but it's not uncomfortable.
Rate the product for value:
6/10
About where I would expect this kind of tape to be compared with others.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Easy to wrap and relatively comfortable in hand when riding.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The look – I think the perforations are classy.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Would be nice to have a bit more padding.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
It's good bar tape that does the job; could be more padded, but it's easy to fit and seems like it'll last well.
About the tester
Age: 27
I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6 My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between.
Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.
And, BTL in the comments: "This is a problem and so are cyclist's headlights. Why do they not have them dipped??"
Don't worry, I'm sure another company will be along in a minute to beat it
What an odd article, just an advert for the law firm: is this the same 'Martin' who then campaigned for cyclists to wear helmets?
I understand that it's difficult to fully appreciate the quality of a product from online images. If you'd like a more thorough evaluation, I'd be...
I agree - I bet the guard doesn't get paid hugely so a gesture to show appreciation would probably go a long way....
I can't see what the big deal is, it's a well burnt bike - ashes of, and ?
Disappointing to hear that....
I would dream of my non-assisted bicycle to have such low weight. It is a bicycle to drool over but this Urtopia bicycle must utopic price.
This must be one of the many "I insist on using cash in the parking meter" articles, usually based on the person being old and infirm and unable to...
Might have to expand on this one a bit fella as it's hard to unpick exactly what your point is.