Do the gel pads that go under the tape on road bike bars add any comfort?
I think generally people seem to rate the fizik microtex so i'll probably go for that tape, just wondering about putting the gel pads in while i'm at it...
I have quite thick bar tape and some VERY slim gel pads on the drops. Can't say it made much difference really when I tried them without the gel. That said I put them back because they weren't causing me any issues.
I'd just double tape where needed
i tried the specialized bar phat tape which came with pads and it was an improvement so have just kept the pads on whenever i've changed tape. I never really have any issues with hand comfort - admittedly i never really suffered from it in the past either, its just a bit more comfortable now!
I got the fizik gel pads fitted with SRAM supercork. bars are nice and phat and comfy.
My bars are FSA once that are flat on the tops anyway which also helps.
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fisik microtex is pretty firm and unforgiving. I fitted it to my bike no padding and it is perhaps a touch firm
GF needs new tape soon so got her to feel my bars and she has decided to get the gel pads and microtex. not got round to fitting it yet so cant really finish this post....
I dont know if i have a problem yet as its really my first road bike (discounting a brief encounter with one a few years ago).
Decided to go half way and use the cinelli gel cork tape and see how it feels.
Yes the gel is excellent. Flat top bars would make it even better.
organic355 - MemberI got the fizik gel pads fitted with SRAM supercork. bars are nice and phat and comfy.
Same setup here and can't see any reason to change, squidgy in all the right places.