Handlebar tape for cycling

Bicycle handlebar tape, functionality with style

Properly wrapped around the ends of the handlebar, a quality tape is good for your hands and the rest of your body. By absorbing, together with the gloves, the vibrations caused by road roughness, it helps the cyclist stay comfortable in the saddle even for many hours at a time. But the benefits of this flexible ally do not end there. Handlebar tape also gives you all the grip you need to control the bike on the most demanding sections. Or, perhaps, when it rains and a slippery grip would not help you perform at your best. The tape also protects the handlebar from the natural oxidation it is subject to, especially when the bike is left closed in the cellar for long periods.

Comparing types

Every hand requires the right tape. It is no coincidence that there are countless models on the market, different in sizes and materials. Thickness ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 mm, while width is between 25 and 35 mm. A tape with greater thickness gets cyclists out of trouble when tackling mixed or unpaved routes head-on. Often chosen for gravel and cyclocross handlebars, it is also suitable for wrapping MTB handlebars. While in the road bike segment, a thinner solution may work well. Among the various synthetic materials used for bike tapes, polyurethane with gel coating offers maximum absorption. While EVA foam boosts grip and comfort, enhancing the pleasure of touring rides. For intense rides under the sun, finally, a microfiber and EVA tape promotes sweat evaporation, keeping the grip firmly secure at all times.

Aesthetics as an added value

If wrapping the bike handlebar is above all practical, we should not underestimate its aesthetic factor. A tape that matches the frame and accessories is always preferable to a poorly coordinated model. That is why the models on the market are offered in various colors, often customized with patterns and decorations. The extensive Supacaz catalog, for example, includes red, light blue, pink and rainbow tapes. In addition to the excellent Super Sticky Kush with printed logo, also chosen by Peter Sagan. Deda, Fizik, Specialized: these are other brands that always add a touch of design to the build quality of their products.