I,m switching the bars on my tourer to gravel 12 degree flare bars having liked them on my son's gravel bike
So replacing the bar tape. Current tape is fairly cheap and double wrapped from the brake hoods along the tops for extra cushioning.
Are the gels pads on the bar tops worthwhile?
What good cushioned bar tape?
Do the gel pads and good quality tape mean double wrapping is superfluous?
It doesn't matter if the effective bar diameter goes up as I have big hands. The current double wrapped bars are not an issue.
I have some Bontrager foam pads and then Prime gravel comfort (iirc) tape which is about as thick as you can buy. I have liked the improved comfort, I've got a dodgy wrist so I have gone for the comfiest setup I can find.
ESi RCT road tape is great stuff, after trying various tape on my gravel and road bikes I've stuck with this stuff for a few years now. It's seriously comfortable, easily removable and good for rewrapping, you can even flip it over and use the other side and if it gets grubby it's washable in the sink. Much like their grips theres not much better for small bump and vibration absorption imo.
I've just received the redshift gravel bar grips and tape which hopefully should improve comfort
The ESi stuff isn't cheap is it? Review says it's a bit short too. Did you find that @monkeyboyjc?
https://off.road.cc/content/review/bar-tape-and-grips/esi-rct-wrap-original-design-bar-tape-11537
The Lizard Skin DSP stuff is very thick (3.2mm?), grippy, comfy, but a bit of a pig to wrap in the thicker versions. I seem to recall it being pricey too.
Review says it’s a bit short too.
Never had an issue with the length, infact I've cut off a few inches as normal.... I've also never spent more than about 25/30 on a set, but it also lasts for years (unless your regularly leaning against a brick wall or crashing). I've a spare set in a draw that must be over 4 years old thats fine.
Superkaz is v nice.
Thanks for replies. I decided after all that I liked the feel of cork tape so I'm going with SRAM Super cork over some gel pads.