SQlab 712 Handlebar tape is a really good grip option. It’s easy to wrap, super grippy wet or dry and has good shock absorption while still providing excellent trail or road feedback. It actually comes with instructions for theee guides for fitting depending on your hand size. It’s very impressive and one of the best handlebar tapes available but is it long enough for your bars?
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SQlab 712 Handlebar tape – Technical details
SQlab 712 Red Ltd. RUH Handlebar tape (SQLab 712 from now on) is made of an unspecified special rubber compound 2mm thick to help provide shock absorption on the drop bars on all road surfaces. SQLab has reworked the grip of one of their most popular grips the 7OX and used it on the tape to provide a strong textured surface. For those wishing to know; RUH means “Radeln und Helfen” in German. It´s an initiative to collect money for children. The founder was on a long tour by bicycle and for every kilometre some money went to this foundation.
The 712 Handlebar tape is actually supplied with instructions which is a first for me in wrapping handlebars but with good reason. SQlab has marked the tape with three little blocks to aid consistent overlapping at the right diameter to suit their hand size.*
To find your hand size check out the SQLab hand size chart or ask your local SQLab stockist to help you measure your hands. I am just in Large on this chart – no surprise there for me but you might be different from what you think you are.
Depending on how many of the three blocks you can see when you overlap the tape will depend on the thickness of the tape on the bar and therefore the most ergonomic fit for your hand size. Something SQlab is all about, is the best Ergonomics for the rider, be that hands, backside or feet.
This sizing system is specifically recommended for the lower part of the handlebars where according to SQlab most grip is needed for technical riding in the drops.
*So, like most men I didn’t look at these instructions until after I had fitted the tape for the first time, and looking at the images of my initial wrap, I have managed a pretty consistent two-block overlap on the bottom section of the bar and a one block overlap from hoods to the centre of the bar. I spend the majority of my time holding the bars in this higher position so it made sense to use the most tape there to get the most comfort.
However, to make sure I have reviewed the product as designed I rewrapped the bars as per instructions for my size (easily done as the 712 tape is not sticky-backed) with one block on the lowers for more comfort when in the more aggressive position with more pressure and weight on your hands (see image below). It’s a sensible suggestion and whilst I thought I had done it well before, re-wrapping the bar did provide even more comfort and grip in the drops. Just goes to show – read instructions even if you think you know what you are doing.
The change of wrap left me with a slightly thinner tape diameter on the centre section where I rarely hold the bars so that’s okay and the same amount around the hoods as before where I spend most of my time. There was absolutely no tape left for retrimming in fact I came up a little short but that’s okay.
SQlab 712 Handlebar tape – Performance
The SQlab 712 Handlebar Tape is amazingly grippy, and the diamond and block pattern really works well regardless of the weather and surface. It provides a much-needed secure handhold when you are in the drops riding down rough tracks where you might worry about losing your grip normally. It feels tacky, but not in a slimy way, and works well with the majority of gloves that I have used it with. It’s also great with bare hands although I’ve had little cause for getting my fingers out during these past three months.
At only 2mm thick, it’s at least 1mm less than many handlebar tapes with shock absorption claims and yet it feels really good, as good as the ENVE Handlebar Tape I have previously raved about so it’s a great choice for the multi-surface riding I do on a regular basis.
The tape is not too thick to lose the feel of the trail surface and I really like slamming my hands into the drops where it is thickest and really gunning the tech descents completely confident that my hands will stay put due to the grip and I’m in full control.
It’s not quite the perfect performance though as SQlab ‘s712 Handlebar tape is pretty short at only 200cm, a good 50cm shorter than Enve Handlebar tape I took off (both precut measurements), and I had nothing left after fitting my 44cm bars, so I would struggle to have overlapped more in both locations and/or fit the tape to my 46cm bars on other bikes. So if you’re running bigger bars than 44, which is actually quite a lot of gravel riders for various reasons, or you want a lot of overlap on smaller bars you might find the tape a little short.
SQlab 712 Handlebar tape – Verdict
At £33 the SQlab 712 handlebar tape sits nearer the higher end of the market in the “what is the best handlebar tape” conversation here at the off.road.cc office. Certainly, my current favourite, the ENVE handlebar tape at £35 has a lot going for it, especially the extra 50cm of length and Suvi was equally keen in her recent review of the Seido Tab handlebar tape for £25 for 230cm. Both of these are excellent choices and will cover wider bars.
The SQlab Handlebar tape 712 Ltd Red RUH, to give it its full name, is an extremely good if slightly too short bar tape for £35. It’s awesomely grippy in the wet or the dry and has an impressive amount of trail buzz absorption. As long as you are not running any of the current crop of wide gravel bars, 46-48cm you should be able to find a really comfortable level of wrap with the 712 tape. Let’s hope that SQlab makes the tape a little longer next time and perhaps in some cool colours.
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Product purpose:
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The three rows of knobs serve as a reference point for the handle size or winding thickness. The winding thickness of SQlab handles can be determined using the handle width template.
Size S: The handlebar tape is wrapped so that all three rows of nubs are visible.
Size M: The handlebar tape is wound so that two rows of nubs are visible.
Size L: The handlebar tape is wrapped so that only one row of pimples is visible.
This winding technique is mainly recommended for the lower handlebars. There you mostly grip in the downhills and therefore have the highest pressure on your hands.
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White edges of tape on this the special ltd edition on the red tape.
