What bar tape for Gravel?
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- saldegracia
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:14 pm
- Location: Madrid, Spain
Hi there, I find that on long gravel rides my palms are really battered and was thinking about upgrading to a more plush bar tape? Any recommendations what I should go with?
Canyon Aeroad, Votec VRC, Fuji Jari Carbon, Sensa Fermo SL, Principia R700, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, Ciöcc Singlespeed
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I've been running the Wolf Tooth Supple bar tape and loving it. Carbon handlbar also seems to help with fatigue.
https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/pro ... e-bar-tape
https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/pro ... e-bar-tape
Specialized Roubaix, and if this not helps, reduce your tire pressure. I bet it is to high, if not, hey than it is normal and you have to get used to it.saldegracia wrote: ↑Sat Oct 23, 2021 8:09 pmHi there, I find that on long gravel rides my palms are really battered and was thinking about upgrading to a more plush bar tape? Any recommendations what I should go with?
Agree that tire pressure would be first thing I would try. I usually go lower and lower until I feel the bike get sluggish and then stop or go back up a few psi. Also supple tires were a game changer for me, like the Rene Herse Extralight but they can be a little controversial due to cost and maintenance. Carbon handlebar helped a lot. One other easy option would be gloves. I have a set of Garneau "Gel Ultra" with HUGE pads.
- saldegracia
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:14 pm
- Location: Madrid, Spain
Thanks for the suggestions, will look at all of those. Thought about gel gloves, too, although I never liked those very much, so the ones I have use don't have too much padding. I might get a ticker tape first and then look at gloves again if necessary. I already use carbon bars and pressure is as low as I want to go with my weight and the terrain I am usually riding in (around 28/29psi).
Canyon Aeroad, Votec VRC, Fuji Jari Carbon, Sensa Fermo SL, Principia R700, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, Ciöcc Singlespeed
Lizard Skins now has a 4,6mm DSP tape. If comfort is a priority, then you will have to get a thicker and heavier tape. Although 4,6mm might be a bit too thick, because this review says it was impossible to wrap on one particular bar/lever combo.
https://www.ridinggravel.com/accessorie ... ck-review/
https://www.ridinggravel.com/accessorie ... ck-review/
- saldegracia
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:14 pm
- Location: Madrid, Spain
Yeah, 4.6mm sounds excessively thick...on my road bikes I am using 2mm tape and that's perfectly fine for the road. The bar tape on my gravel bike is still original and I think it's thinner...so I guess I'll try and go with something like the Prime Comfort Tape which is 3mm and will see how that goes...
Canyon Aeroad, Votec VRC, Fuji Jari Carbon, Sensa Fermo SL, Principia R700, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, Ciöcc Singlespeed
- saldegracia
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:14 pm
- Location: Madrid, Spain
definitely over the top and against all weight-weenie beliefs
Canyon Aeroad, Votec VRC, Fuji Jari Carbon, Sensa Fermo SL, Principia R700, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, Ciöcc Singlespeed
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I've always been happy with Cinelli Gel Cork bartape on the gravel bike. Cheap, comfy and according to the Cinelli website, only 71 grams which is good for comfy tape.
My preference - whatever's lightest and double wrap. If you're planning to double wrap, it's easier to really get around the hoods too as you come at it twice from different angles.
For me on gravel the double wrap really helps - I can keep an loose grip on rough descents and still have control. Single wrap, a loose grip is so loose it's hard to stay in contact. But I'm 6'2", 200lbs, big hands. This will not work for everyone.
For me on gravel the double wrap really helps - I can keep an loose grip on rough descents and still have control. Single wrap, a loose grip is so loose it's hard to stay in contact. But I'm 6'2", 200lbs, big hands. This will not work for everyone.
- saldegracia
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:14 pm
- Location: Madrid, Spain
Sounds like an option...I guess I could just wrap a "normal" new bartape over the old one, right?fourfa wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:22 amMy preference - whatever's lightest and double wrap. If you're planning to double wrap, it's easier to really get around the hoods too as you come at it twice from different angles.
For me on gravel the double wrap really helps - I can keep an loose grip on rough descents and still have control. Single wrap, a loose grip is so loose it's hard to stay in contact. But I'm 6'2", 200lbs, big hands. This will not work for everyone.
Canyon Aeroad, Votec VRC, Fuji Jari Carbon, Sensa Fermo SL, Principia R700, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, Ciöcc Singlespeed
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