Best Handlebar Tapes in the UK

Cycling on pavements and pedalling, say, through the woods or over countryside roads are not the same thing. In fact, these riding styles are completely different and while city cycling is mostly hassle-free and enjoyable, off-road riding poses some challenges. Yet, if the latter sounds like your scenario, the bar tape from Zipp will definitely add comfort and confidence to your challenging rides.

Made of premium synthetic cork, this tape will sell you on outstanding quality. It is highly durable to withstand long miles of uneven roads and resilient enough to make the application a piece of cake. Thanks to a light sticky layer, it will stay in place without sliding off, whatever your riding style. Meanwhile, black colour is stain-proof, thus, making the tape very practical in the long run.

When it comes to performance, the tape will outperform many rivals as well. Showing no signs of wear even after months of extensive use (that is supported by a 2-year warranty), it will provide maximum riding comfort. A deeply textured cross-hatch pattern finish will ensure a firm and secure grip even under wet conditions. So, you can rest assured knowing you’ll have full steering control on tricky paths and bumpy roads, no matter what. At the same time, it is reasonably thick to efficiently absorb the road buzz.

The only gripe you might have is the tape price, which is rather at the higher end. However, given the tape length of 190cm and the quality it offers, it is worth the price and will quickly pay off with excellent performance.

To wrap it up, the Zipp is by far the best handlebar tape that will be highly and deservedly valued by experienced and extreme riders who strive to hit bumpy paths with comfort.

Not new to boke bar taping and search for an appropriate tape to maximise the cushioning effect to get rid of that pesky road buzz when racing over gravel roads and bendy paths in the suburbs? If so, the Cinelli handlebar tape will come to the rescue.

A fav of many off-road riders and city cyclists, the Cinelli tape stands out for simplicity and enhanced road vibrations dampening. Very elastic and fitted with a tacky strip on the backside, it is really grippy and will firmly stay in place as you wrap it. Meantime, made of synthetic corks, which is a blend of natural cork and durable and flexible synthetic materials, the tape is extremely soft and has a nice velvety finish. To further enhance the grip comfort, the Cinelli tape is distinguished by the branded Vibro Absorb technology. It comes infused with a special gel that increases the cork shock-absorbing properties and lends a nice padded feel.

One more distinctive advantage of this tape is its heat-proof qualities. It will easily withstand high temperatures up to 60°C with no signs of heat damage. Besides, thanks to a porous structure, synthetic cork perfectly absorbs sweat and dries out pretty fast. So, it’s a functional and reliable choice for summer rides and for hot regions where temperatures are rather high most of the year.

With all the benefits of natural cork material, there is a downside we can’t leave unnoticed. Highly stretchy and elastic, the Cinelli tape is not as tear-resistant as other synthetic tapes. Subject to strong tightening, it can tear. Thus, to get the most out of it, special care is needed when wrapping.

As for the rest, available in multiple bright colours and delivering an extra-cushioned grip, the handlebar tape from Cinelli will let you add a dash of style to your bike and forget about arm strain and fatigue whatever the road surface you ride over.

Varying in materials, bar tapes also vary in thickness and, as a result, the amount of padding they provide. And while low-profile tapes (1.5mm) are favoured by racers who need to feel the road and medium-thick tapes (up to 2.5 mm) are most popular among leisure and fitness cyclists that might hit different types of roads, there is also a demand for extra-thick padding (up to 3mm) in some cases. Personal preferences aside, it is appropriate for cross-country roads, gravel jaunts, rough and broken terrain. If this is the type of padding you seek, the Sram handlebar tape is for you.

Casting a quick look is enough to notice that this tape is thicker than many other competitor products. Made of vinyl material, it is very soft and grippy, thus, keeping your hands nicely pampered and dampening those numbing vibrations, whatever the road, and ensuring non-slip contact with your palms even under the rain or during those sweaty rides. As such, the tape provides consistent hand comfort for longer rides on diverse irregular terrain. And it won’t compact or reduce cushioning over time.

On the other hand, the tape material is highly flexible and stretchy, so, you can wrap it tightly without the risk of rips. Unlike other thicker tapes that are usually rather tricky to install, the Sram is a breeze to wrap. It tapers toward the edges for smooth and not too thick overlaps and, thanks to an adhesive backside, stays firmly in place and doesn’t pull out even under intense ride or when contacting water.

At the end, available in a variety of vibrant colours, the Sram tape will make your bike stand out and catch eyes. As thick, springy, and wear-resistant as it is, it will ensure a comfy riding experience under extreme conditions.

Novice cyclists who don’t have hand in bar taping yet know firsthand that wrapping a bike handlebar with tape is not as easy as it might seem. And the type of tape you choose can make all the difference. The Gasea tape will fit that purpose just right and will help you quickly get the hang of bar taping.

Most pro-grade handlebar tapes come with sticky backing to keep the tape in place once installed. Instead, the Gasea tape doesn’t have that adhesive layer that can be first regarded as a problem. However, in practice, it will let you re-wrap and correct the tape position as many times as you need without damaging it, which is a great advantage for inexperienced users who often struggle to make a perfect wrap from the first time. Besides, when wrapped without gaps, properly tightened and securely fixed with end plugs, the tape won’t slide off and will withstand any riding style.

As far as the material quality goes, the carbon fibre polyurethane with EVA foam liner combines high stretchiness and resilience with a decent cushioning effect. It boasts high tensile strength and won’t rip even if slightly overtightened while the EVA foam is a great vibration and shock reducer and moist absorber for longer rides on different types of terrain. We’d be remiss not to mention a textured finish that provides firm anti-slip grip under any weather conditions. Ideal for cycling, the Gasea tape is also suitable for other applications and can be used to add a comfy grip to a fishing road, car steering wheel as well as to some gardening and repair tools.

To cut a long story short, the Gasea is a quality durable multipurpose handlebar tape that will make a great choice for novice riders and will also be appreciated by other hobbyists, outdoorsmen, and DIYers.

If cycling is rather your leisure time hobby than a sports addiction, there is no need to invest a lot into premium gear. And when it comes to handlebar tapes, professional tapes can appear pretty expensive. But a good mid-level tape, like the one from KIIVI, will suffice to keep you comfy on those occasional rides and give your bike a professional trim.

At a fraction of the price of top-rated tapes, you’ll get a complete installation handlebar tape kit from KIIVI including two rolls of black tape, two self-adhesive strips to secure the tape ends when wrapped, and two plugs to close the bar ends. Matte suede-style finish in classic black paired with glossy caps featuring a reflective metal coating will make your bicycle look stylish and up-to-date. Moreover, there is a whole choice of other bright colours to add some bolder accents to your bike.

Speaking of the performance, the tape is rather at the thin side and won’t add much volume to the handlebars. At the same time, made of synthetic cork, it is soft and provides a decent amount of padding to keep your palms comfortably cushioned and pampered om bumpy roads and rough terrains. Thanks to a velvety finish, the tape ensures a tight non-slip grip without rubbing your skin. Light, stretchy, and low-profile, the tape easily grips onto the bar and wraps neatly and smoothly without sliding off.

The only negative we’ve found out is that this bar tape might get loose and tacky under the burning sun. So, to avoid this, try to park your bike in the shade.

To sum up, practical, affordable, and suitable for all types of handlebars, the KIIVI bar tape is a great choice for hobbyist cyclists who want to ride with style and in comfort.