If you prioritise style over everything, then the best bar tape for you might be cotton or leather, since it offers a retro aesthetic. If you're a serial tinkerer when it comes to your bike setup, you might find that you need to unwrap your bar tape to move your shifters or replace brake and gear cables.

Whether you're battling storms all year round or do your best to avoid the rain, grip is an important consideration when choosing the best bar tape for you. One and a half years after fitting Brooks leather bar tape to selected machines, RCUK can confidently pronounce that this is what precisely what happens to it over that period of regular usage, with one small proviso; it needs no buffing. Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?The length of bar tape can also impact wrapping. If you are wrapping particularly wide bars, say on a gravel bike, then you will have less material to play with. Cyclists know that certain items, tires, chains, and gears should be replaced at regular intervals, but how often should you replace your bar tape? This will be dependent on how much you ride, but it should be done at least a once a year. Think of how much your hands sweat out on a hot ride, or the dirt and dust from the road making it’s way to your handlebars. It can get pretty nasty looking, especially if it’s white, so you’ll want to make a habit of changing it out. What to look for in handlebar tape Grip It's not the most flexible tape so it's a bit of a pain to fit but once it's there it stays put and looks lovely, acquiring that nice leathery patina over time. It does absorb a lot of water when wet, but it doesn't affect the level of grip, which is okay but not up to modern synthetic levels. Nor is the comfort level; it's quite a hard tape and if you like a lot of cushioning it's not the one for you. I've been using Brooks "honey" colored bar tape for six months on my fixie/commuter and over a year on my geared road bike.

If you're commuting all-year-round, and want a basic bar tape that will stand the test of time, you might want to look to leather tape for its durability. When it comes to wrapping, some synthetic bar tapes are high-stretch, making it easier to wrap the tape around brake levers and hoods. There are all sorts of unspoken rules out there. Some say your bar tape should match your saddle, or your kit, or your head tube…the list goes on. The truth of it is, you should chose whatever tape feels the best in a colour that catches your eye. Types of Handlebar Tape New handlebar tape is a sure-fire way to give your bike a new lease of life. Dave Caudery/Immediate Media Brooks Leather bar tape caters perfectly for those seeking a retro feel or a bar tape that matches their faithful Brooks saddle.In general, the most popular technique is to start at the end of the bars leaving about a half-inch overhanging the end of the bars. This is so you stuff it inside the bars when you insert the bar-end plug to secure it. Then start wrapping the bar tape leaving about 1/4 of an inch to a half overlapping the previous. Make sure you keep it snug as you go. When you get to the hoods there are a few ways to do it, but in general, you want to make sure that no metal on the bars is showing. Then continue toward the stem stopping two to three inches from the stem. Cut the tape so it forms a straight edge and wrap a few layers of electrical tape around the end to secure it. Then the nice tape that generally comes with new bar tape can be wrapped over the electrical tape giving it a sleek look. Do whatever it takes to remove the old bar tape. It might just unravel when you remove the plugs, or you can use tweezers or pliers to grip it an pull it off delicately. 2. Clean the Bars Bar tape material has come a long way since the early days, but none of the early materials have been made entirely redundant. Over the years, we've seen cotton, cork, leather, vinyl, foam, and more. Cork and leather have been popular for decades for their levels of grip, comfort and for a classic look, but they do have limitations. The most commonly found bar tapes nowadays are made using synthetic materials which can be combined with foam or gel for padding. The tape is perforated to provide some texture and ventilation and offers a firm bar feel. If you prefer more padding it would be worth pairing with some gel pads or a softer bar tape underneath. As with all leather products, this bar tape is very hard-wearing and should last a lot longer than synthetic counterparts, plus as it ages the bar tape will develop a patina giving your bike a pleasant weathered look. Two colour matched rubber bar ends plugs and adhesive cloth strips are included with the tape to finish it off.

Brooks' leather bar tape has appeal beyond retro builds and classic bikes, thanks to its longevity and good looks, but it's not the comfiest bar tape around, or the cheapest. Handlebar tape provides a nice bit of cushioning for your hands, reducing the vibrations that travel from the road up into your arms. Choose tape that provides the right amount of padding for you and the type of riding you do. Many cyclists choose to double wrap their bars for a little extra cushion, especially when riding on rougher roads. Looks If you’re replace existing tape, the hoods should already be in the right position, but this is your chance to move them if you desire. Make the adjustments, and tighten the hoods to the handlebars. It’s typically done with a 5mm hex wrench. The bolt is usually on the outside of the lever under the hood. Its a good idea to ride the bike before applying the tape, to ensure the hoods are where you want them, because after wrapping the bars, they’re difficult to move without disturbing the tape. I've had issues with the cork/wood plugs on both bikes. On the Fixie they come loose regularly so it's become a habit of mine to regularly press them into place when I hop on the bike. I'm pretty certain they will eventually fall out. I've assumed it simply is too dry here for the cork and that it is drying out (and hence shrinking slightly). In a more moist climate (such as England) the cork would stay moist from the humidity - but from the comments of others it sounds like my theory may be incorrect. If you want to bling up your bike with a colour-matched style, look for synthetic tape available in various colours.Once fitted to a pair of handlebars, of course, it does not get flexed at all. The only bashing around it is likely to get is on hitting the ground in the event of a fall, leaving exposure to the elements and the grip – sweaty or otherwise – of its proud owner as the main agents by which it ‘weathers’.