Installing the best handlebar tape can be equal parts frustrating and satisfying, but keeping your bar tape fresh can significantly improve performance and grip while also maintaining its aesthetic appeal. We must not forget that our hands, along with our feet and bottoms, are one of only three contact points with our bikes. For some, the best bar tape can be imperative to increasing comfort, reducing numbness, and ultimately improving control of your steed.
Selecting which of the best handlebar tapes is best for you, though, can be a minefield and can be a matter of trial and error over time. Every year, here at Cycling Weekly, we test hundreds of bikes fitted with various types and styles of bar tape, helping us guide you to the best tape for your riding style.
Of course, once you have made your choice, you will need to wrap it. At the bottom of this page, our how-to wrap bar tape guide explains everything.
The Quick List
At 2.7mm thick, it blends bar feel with comfort and delivers bags of grip, making it suitable for a range of riding.
With four different thicknesses and a variety of colours, the superb finish of the Lizard Skins tape provides options for nearly any setting and ample comfort.
Plush, absorbent and grippy, it's as comfortable as bar tape gets and long enough for wide, flared bars, too.
Thick and tacky to the touch, it's well-suited for long rides on less-than-perfect surfaces where comfort is vital.
While it may be one of the more expensive tapes available, the ENVE Bar Tape is excellent, combining an easy-to-wrap tape with a lovely feel.
Really the only neagtive about the Wolf Tooth Supple tape is it's slightly cheap bar ends. For a few extra dollars it is easy-to-wrap and a comfortable ride which seems reasonable to me.
See three more of the best bar tapes
M-Part Primo tape not only offers great value as one of the cheapest options we have tested, but it is also by far one of the easiest to use for wrapping. It was almost an enjoyable experience, resulting in a clean and tight wrap.
Kinesis’s 4 Seasons tape may look ordinary, but it offers decent grip thanks to an anti-slip finish and a Vex gel vibration-damping backing - all for a bargain price.
No guide to the best bar tape is complete without a cork offering. SRAM’s Supercork offers ample cushioning and admirably mitigates the lack of grip that often characterises cork tape.
The best handlebar tape: review and rated
Best overall
You will certainly be seen on the road with the colours offered by Fizik
To the touch, the Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky tapes lives up to its name - the foam soft and generous in its thickness, while the finish feels suitably gripping, with a series of straight lines applied to aid grip; Fizik describe this as a single-layer tape that’s been designed in collaboration with pro road cyclists.
Wrapping the tape I realised just how shiny it is, especially in the bright orange colour. It doesn’t feel like it has much give, and as such required me to focus on maintaining the tension. However, like the Silca tape there is some stretch there, you just need to trust the tape! Each roll is generous in length, meaning that it’s well suited to those who run wider handlebars.
The sheen doesn’t result in any loss of grip. On the contrary, I found the tape to be really grippy. That it achieves this without being too tacky (despite its name) is, for me at least, a real bonus. The pattern too is subtle, meaning that even when I kept my hands in the same position on the bars for some while, it was never abrasive or irritating on the palm or underside of my fingers.
As for comfort and absorption, the tape delivers both in spades. Like the Ergon Gravel tape below, it’s luxurious in its feel and the degree of padding it offers. It’s a little thinner than the Ergon tape though, which for me, makes it more versatile; I would happily use this tape for gravel as well as its designated road application, or indeed on a bike that’s used for both.
Most durable
Lizard Skin aim to offer almost every combination with the DSP V2 tape
The choice of a large number of pros in the WorldTour peloton, the Lizard Skins DSP is one of the most luxurious feeling handlebar tapes on the market. As well as this 2.5mm option, there are three other thicknesses available (1.8, 3.2 and 4.6mm), and despite the good level of padding it can easily be rewrapped too.
Comfort and grip are most people's primary concerns when choosing bar tape and Lizard Skins provides both in spades. The choice of thicknesses really allows you to tailor the tape to your needs but whether you prefer thick tape or thin, the grip and comfort isn't compromised. If you like to count every gram however it's worth noting that the the additional comfort of the 4.6mm thick tape will cost you 50 grams when compared to the 1.8mm tape.
The tacky feel of the Lizard Skins material translates to an exceptional grippy tape and one that can be used in the wet without gloves, an issue for some tapes. This also has benefits in warm weather when sweaty palms can compromise your hold on the bars.
The only real downside to Lizard Skins DSP tape is the price. It's one of the more expensive out there but like many cycling accessories you get what you pay for.
Read our full Lizard Skins DSP bar tape review
Best for gravel
The understated finish of the Ergon BT gravel, offers a classy and function finish
One of the thickest tapes here, the BT Gravel is designed to provide shock absorption, which in turn reduces fatigue, while also offering plenty of grip. To deliver this it features a padded foam back with a subtly textured rubber outer layer. It feels somewhat tacky to the touch. It’s worth noting that each roll of tape is 230cm long to accommodate wider gravel bars and comes with long bar ends for better security. I'd also tip my cap to Ergon for producing the tape in some interesting colours, including swamp green and the rusty red reviewed here.
Chevron style pattern helps to provide grip and a visual aid when wrapping
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the BT Gravel tape isn’t that easy to wrap due to its thickness. I felt like I struggled at times to keep enough tension on the tape. That said the guidelines on the tape surface did aid me in keeping a constant wrap. The thickness of the tape even made insertion on the bar bungs a little trickier than usual. However, when finished, the result is a luxurious-looking tape with a feel to match.
When riding, that feel intensifies. This could well be the plushest bar tape I’ve ever used. It’s not just the thickness of the tape that adds to the comfort but also the make-up of the foam. It’s soft and springy, which means you don’t lose all that much ‘feel’ at the bars despite the thickness. And over the lumps and bumps it really does make a difference. As for the grip, the tape again delivers. It feels secure without being overly tacking, and the subtle pattern is comfortable on the hands, too. Given that my gravel bike does plenty of road miles, too, the tape might be overkill, but for those who ride long distances off-road with regularity, then it’s likely to be a great match.
Ergon BT Tape made into our North American Editor Rook's Gear of the Year 2022.
Best for comfort
Super Sticky Kush from Supacaz fortunately lives up to its name
If you choose to call a bar tape ‘super sticky’ it needs to deliver plenty of grip, and fortunately for Supercaz, its product does just that.
We’ve ridden it across a number of bikes and have always found it to deliver a nice blend of comfort and grip. We recently rode the tape during persistent showers and without gloves and the super sticky tape kept up its part of the bargain, with the geometric pattern providing surprising grip considering the conditions.
As for the ‘kush’ element, the tape is 3.2mm thick, which is on the thicker end of things, and really comfortable; it’s tacky and provides a decent level of cushioning even when the going gets rough. It’s certainly a tape that would be well suited to riders who enjoy long days in the saddle or regularly ride on less-than-smooth terrain. However, this does come at the cost of bar feel. If you ride with gloves, you may find it just a little thick, although this is certainly down to rider preference.
A thicker tape can prove trickier to wrap but the Supercush hasn’t presented us with too many issues in the past. While it’s not as easy to install as those thinner, stretchier tapes, there’s enough give here so as not to prove problematic.
The Supercush tape also gets bonus points for the wide choice of colours offered. Even if your bike or kit is ‘coffee brown’ (Ag2R fans take note!) you’ll find a Super Stick Kush tape to match. Finally it comes with adjustable bar plugs, which given the higher price tag should be expected but isn’t always the case.
Read our full Supacaz Super Sticky Kush bar tape review
Best feel
The simply named ‘ENVE Bar Tape’ is a high-end option from Utah-based ENVE Composites, better known for their carbon products. The tape has a remarkably nice feel that almost mimics leather, with a matte finish that remained non-slippery even with sweat or rain when tested. There is a fairly faintly embossed texture that reads’ ENVE’, and at 3mm thick, it sits somewhere between cushioned gravel tape and skinny road tape. A vibration-damping backer provides some protection from vibrations, and on the ENVE MOG gravel bike that it was fitted to, it worked very well.
ENVE states that the 250mm long tape is sufficient to wrap bars up to 50cm wide, indicating that it is intended for both off-road and on-road use. Fitting it was very easy, with enough stretch in the tape for a neat, tidy wrap, even around the hoods. The silicone backer helped the tape stick to the bars without the mess of glue, so repositioning it in the event of an error was drama-free too. The plastic end plugs didn’t quite match the premium feel of the tape, though.
As with most things from ENVE, it does not come cheap, but the Bar Tape is a great product that combines simple fitting with a lovely feel.
Most versatile
Wolf Tooth Components offers their Supple Lite Bar tape in two thicknesses: the 2.5mm version, which I tested, and a super-plush 5mm version. Naturally, the 2.5mm version offers less padding, but on the other hand, it doesn't add girth to the handlebar, making it more versatile and suitable for smaller hands as well.
Fitting the tape was relatively straightforward and very similar to Zipp’s stretchy Service Corsa tape, which I also like. The 40mm width and tapered design provided ample overlap for a smooth, comfortable wrap.
The tape is slick, rubbery, and almost tacky to the touch (when clean, anyway), providing decent purchase with or without gloves, and with or without sweat. However, it did become slightly slippery to the touch when soaked by the rain. The 2.5mm of EVA padding was ample for me in most scenarios, making this tape fine for road, gravel and anything in between, although some riders might prefer more padding for long, rough rides.
The only negatives are that the colour choice is limited to black, and the plugs are the basic, push-in type. The cost is a little on the high side, but durability has been good so far. A few dollars extra for an easy wrap and comfortable ride seems reasonable to me.
Easiest to wrap
Fitting the M Part Primo bar tape was a joy. The tape is stretchy but very tough, so applying a lot of pressure to get a tight wrap was no problem. The fact that the backer strip is tacky rather than sticky meant it was easy to undo a section when I didn’t have it quite right.
The bar end plugs are of the expander type, featuring an Allen key rather than the basic plastic style, which adds a nice, premium touch (albeit slightly heavier).
Out on the road, the slightly textured PU surface proved itself to be comfortable and sufficiently grippy for use with or without gloves, whilst the slim silicone gel layer provided a bit of insulation from road buzz without making the bars too big. However, riders who prefer lots of padding might need to look elsewhere.
Durability has been satisfactory so far, with no signs of wear (thanks to the ability to achieve a nice, tight wrap in the first place), and the matte aesthetic will be a good match for most bikes.
Best budget
Clean, comfortable and all for a very reasonable price, how have Kinesis done it?
Kinesis’s 4 Seasons tape may look pretty ordinary but there’s plenty of detail here that make it worthy of this best handlebar tape guide.
It’s made from what Kinesis describe as an ‘anti-slip’ rubber. The small micro-diamond pattern is designed to offer grip in all conditions, hence the ‘4 Seasons’ name. Having ridden this tape in fair weather and foul we can attest to its grippy properties; even during serious downpours we found that it still offered up a decent level of grip, certainly when compared to cork tapes. It’s also plenty durable too; we’ve used this tape for well over a year in the past without it showing much sign of wear.
Vitally, the tape’s also comfortable. While Kinesis doesn't list its width it’s not overly thick. However, the shockproof layer and Vex Gel backing seemingly does the trick and we found that both the pattern, the slightly tacky feel and the level of cushioning combined to deliver a comfy ride even over long distances and uneven road surfaces. We actually used this tape while riding a few sectors of pavé in and around Roubaix and while it couldn’t mute the vibrations (what tape could?!) it coped well over a few bone jarring kilometres.
The Kinesis tape is a firm favourite for another reason, too. It’s easy to wrap. It offers a decent amount of stretch and doesn’t have an overly sticky backing, so even if you need to re-wrap sections you can do so without making a mess.
Are there any downsides to the tape? Not really, although the gaps between the small diamonds can be a little tricky to get clean.
Finally the Kinesis bar tap also comes with adjustable plugs; the kind you’d normally expect to buy separately as an upgrade and a far cry from the basic push-in plugs you normally get with bar tape at this price point.
Best cork tape
No bar tape guide is complete without a traditional cork offering. If you’re of a certain age there’s a good chance that cork tape is all you knew for many years, after it superseded cotton and vinyl in both performance and comfort after its invention in 1983. In this instance we’ve gone for SRAM’s Supercork.
Cork tape is essentially a polyurethane tape that’s embedded with pieces of natural cork, combining to create a spongy soft feel that’s also both lightweight and grippy. SRAM’s version is 3mm thick and doesn’t stray from the traditional path to deliver a tape that’s very comfortable with bags of cushioning.
The downside to cork tape can be a lack of grip in the wet or when your hands get a little sweaty. In our experience the SRAM tape does a pretty good job of mitigating this, although if you’re used to the super tacky modern tapes such as Lizard Skins then you're likely to feel a little underwhelmed by the grip offered here.
Perhaps the biggest asset of SRAM’s, or for that matter most cork tapes, is their affordability. They can be half the price or more compared to higher-end tapes like Supercaz, meaning your can can re-wrap your bars more often, giving your bike a fresh, new feel for as little as £10.
SRAM Supercork tape is pretty easy to wrap, as are most cork tapes. However, proceed with caution. Cork tapes do have a habit of snapping if you attempt to add a little too much tension during your wrap.
How we test the best handlebar tapes
While the overall comfort of the best handlebar tape can be subjective and certainly depends on the bar and shape it is wrapped around, there is still a lot to be considered when rating the best bar tapes.
First of all, why should you trust our opinions on these things? Cycling Weekly has a rich and long history of bringing you the best cycling news, features, tech and racing insight, over a hundred and thirty years, in fact. Our dedicated team of testers and contributors are all experienced cyclists who have spent years in the saddle, racing, adventuring, and even designing bikes. You can find out more about the Cycling Weekly team and How We Test in our helpful guides.
Right, the best bar tape, as I mentioned, is far from being solely about comfort. Of course, it is a major factor in the selection and rating process, but it is not the be-all and end-all. Our testing heavily focuses on how well a tape wraps. This involves simply fitting the tape, sometimes onto several bar shapes, to understand its flexibility and dexterity.
We are also examining the finish and materials used in each tape, as this significantly influences the tape's grip levels and overall durability. These tests may take longer to yield results, as they require riding many kilometres/miles in various weather conditions.
Finally, we consider a tape's overall value. Despite its reasonably simple task and disposable nature, the best handlebar tapes utilise complicated manufacturing processes and a combination of several materials in the pursuit of multiple characteristics. This can cause bar tape prices to rise quickly, with some manufacturers finding a better balance than others.
Meet the testers
Tim has been writing and dazzling us with his photography skills, in the bicycle and outdoor space for over 20 years. Tim is one of those people that whenever you speak to them, they seem to have be or have just come back from somewhere lovely. Splitting his time between the beautiful peak district and whatever mountain range he pleases. In short Tim rides a lot, if he isn't tackling some serious climbs he is putting in miles of epic proportions.
Best handlebar tape: How to choose your bar tape
Grip
You might think that your handlebar tape is mainly there to make your bike look good, but this is probably the most important contact point between yourself and your bike, so it's important that it gives you secure grip so you can control your machine in all conditions. Look for a handlebar tape with a nice tacky finish that you help you maintain grip when riding in wet conditions - something that is particularly important if you're riding without gloves.
Padding
Another very important aspect of handlebar tape, especially for those riding without gloves, is its padding. Especially on long rides over rough roads, your hands and wrists can take a real pounding, so look for some handlebar tape with plenty of padding to reduce the vibrations being transmitted to your body. If you're riding on particularly rough roads (or even cobbles), then consider wrapping your bars with two layers of tape for even more protection.
Tidy! the super clean tape finish of Luke Rowes Pinarello K8
Wrap-ability
If you're planning to fit your own handlebar tape, then it's worth reading on below for a few pointers. In general thinner tapes will be easier to wrap as they will be more flexible, but might be prone to bunching at the bends in the bars.
Finish
Most handlebar tapes are made from one of three different materials: cork, leather, ora synthetic material. If you're after a really luxurious feel, then leather or cork are hard to beat, however they are often more expensive than synthetic options. If you're a sucker for white bar tape, then its also worth finding an option (usually synthetic) that will be easy to clean, as the last thing you want is your sharp white tape turning brown from mud or sweat after only a couple of rides.
There are plenty of coloured and patterned bar tapes on the market
Colour
Certain members of the cycling community will tell you that your handlebar tape must either match the colour of your saddle, or match the colour of the head tube, or be black, but we say just go for whatever colour catches your eye. There are some very bright options to choose from if you shop around, with companies like Supacaz and Lizard Skins offering some pretty funky patterns too. It's your bike, so do what you want to it.
What is handlebar tape made of and how does it affect its properties and performance?
Generally speaking, bar tape is made of five main materials and fabrics: PU (Polyurethane), EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate), Microfibre, Silicone and Cork. It is rare to find tape where only one of these materials is present. Even when discussing Silicone or Cork, these tapes typically feature backing materials or other properties and chemicals to make them grippy or more durable.
But what do these materials actually do for your tape, and how can they help guide you to select the right tape?
The presence or lack of these materials in a given tape can mean different things, so here is a quick guide on what to look for:
- PU (polyurethane) gives the tape its flexibility and is typically combined with EVA foam. Tapes that don't feature this will be stiff and difficult to wrap, like leather-covered tapes.
- EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is the foam that provides comfort and vibration damping. Tape comfort is measured in the thickness of this foam; however, thicker isn't always more comfortable. Keep reading to learn why.
- Microfiber is a tough material that adds durability to the tape, typically applied to the upper surface. It is also a soft material with high wicking properties, making it easy to wrap and absorb your sweat.
- Silicone is a wonder material that seemingly boasts superior grip and damping properties. It can be found as a backing material or as a single-tape material.
- Cork is rare to find in 100% cork tape these days, as it is generally mixed with PU or EVA to improve durability and flexibility. However, this natural product offers the same properties as synthetic alternatives, albeit arguably at the expense of aesthetics.
How to get the perfect handlebar tape wrap
Along with our how to wrap handlebar tape video, here is six top tips to the perfect wrap:
- Clean and prep your bars: Unless you're wrapping a new pair of bars you'll want to make sure you've cleaned off any sticky residue left from the old tape. You'll also want to make sure that your cables and hoses are securely and neatly taped, especially if you're not using bars with internal routing.
- Be prepared: Don't start wrapping the tape until you're properly set-up for the task ahead. You'll need some sharp scissors at hand, along with some electrical tape. The latter is to replace the finishing strips that came in the box with the tape. Discard these because they aren't very good at securing the bar tape in place.
- Always start from the bottom: It might seem obvious but you always wrap tape from the bottom of the drops, finishing on the tops.
- Keep up the tension: Once you've started your wrap you'll need to keep an even tension on the tape to ensure a clean and secure wrap. This is when tape choice can help, with some tapes offering more stretch than others.
- Watch the gap: As you wrap, always stay alert for any gaps in the tape. Not only is this unsightly and unprofessional it could also lead to a less than secure finish.
- Score first, cut second: Before you cut your tape at the finish it's wise to score it first, using the scissors. This way you can check that you're going to cut it in the right direction to give you a clean edge, ready for the electrical tape, which you'll want to wrap tightly to help keep your wrapped bar tape in place. Three wraps of electrical tape should do the trick.
Frequently asked questions about bar tape
Is thick or thin bar tape better?
While thicker tape certainly helps dampen road vibrations, reducing hand fatigue and numbness, it isn't always better for several reasons. Obviously, if you have smaller hands, it can cause more discomfort and reduce your ability to control your bike. For some, it can dull their sense of the road and distance them too much from what the bikes are doing underneath them.
It does come down to personal preference, balancing comfort with ride feel and control. In reality, a slightly thicker tape would benefit most riders.
Why is bartape so expensive?
This all comes down to economies of scale. While bar tape uses widely available materials, combining multiple materials to engineer different properties into the tape can be quite complicated and expensive to manufacture. Although similar tapes are used in sports like Hockey, Tennis, and Cricket, they differ in the properties required and offer little crossover.
How long does handlebar tape last?
Bar tape is typically made from four main materials, and the combination of these materials largely determines the tape's durability.
When shopping for bar tape, consider the properties you need. As with so many things, there is no one-to-rule-them-all solution. If you're looking for durability, look for tapes with higher levels of microfiber and silicone. Just be aware that these will likely make the tape more difficult to wrap.
What handlebar tape do the pros use?
Outside of the 'Classic Season', which is widely recognised as a cluster of one-day races run in the spring and requires riders to race on rough roads and cobbles, like the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, pro riders are more often than not seen using relatively thin bar tapes.
This can be for several reasons; most commonly, it offers riders a great ride feel and increased control. While this might come at the cost of comfort, professional riders are accustomed to long days in the saddle and it's likely they are running high-end carbon fibre components, which can provide similar vibration-damping properties. This means the need for thicker or more complex tape constructions is not necessary.
Pro riders are largely required to use the tape and components provided by their individual or team sponsors, which might not always be their personal preference.
Glossary
- Wrap: this term has multiple meanings when it comes to handlebar tape. It can refer to how the tape is wrapped, the tape itself, or the act of wrapping.
- Finishing Tape: a small piece of tape that completes and holds the wrap in place. Most mechanics either do this with electrical tape and then apply aesthetic tape on top, or they just use electrical tape. It is rare for the aesthetic tape to be the only component present.
- Backing: Many bar tapes will feature some kind of backing, which can be a silicone or gel material, to increase comfort or something as simple as double-sided tape to hold the tape in place.
- Bar ends/End caps - these small, generally plastic inserts, placed at the end of the bar, are a vital safety feature, as well as a nice aesthetic upgrade. Bar ends help prevent the bar from impaling you or other riders in a crash.
- Overlap - to keep the bar tape in place, and the 'wrap' tight, a certain amount of overlapping is required. Effectively using the tape's own friction to ensure the tape doesn't come unravelled. Some tapes require larger overlaps than others.