
Wrapping is pretty easy, but does require you to use a slightly different technique than with standard tape. It’s both wide and thick, 40mm wide and 5mm thick, to be precise. “Supple bar tape provides exceptional cushioning over rougher surfaces and isolates the hands from road buzz. I've used grippier tape, but this still provides a secure hold on the bar. Wrapping is easy, and the lack of sticky backing means that you can re-wrap endlessly. Tester Liam writes: “Wolf Tooth's Supple Bar Tape is an excellent option for gravel bikes and those wanting extra cushy tape for smoothing out rough road surfaces. Read our review of the Enve Handlebar Tape The vibration-damping silicone strip works like a charm and helps to reduce trail buzz better than any other tape I’ve used.”

That embossed ENVE logo on the tape really does provide superb grip and a very secure connection between you and the bars, which gives plenty of confidence when moving around the bars descending nasty trails, even in the wet. “It’s grippy regardless of whether you have gloves or not, or whether it’s raining or not. Now three bars in, I’m no longer worried about that cost. That’s a massive bonus for anybody with lots of bikes or if you're changing bars around. As it’s silicone-backed there is no glue, only a tacky strip that keeps it in place when you wrap it. It is incredibly effective at doing all that is claimed and it’s reusable too. “ENVE says it has designed a special compound for the tape that provides grip, comfort, and stretch, and has backed it with a silicone strip that provides vibration damping. Tester Pat writes: “£35 is a lot of money to pay for bar tape but believe me when I say that if you want increased comfort, excellent grip and smart looks then ENVE's handlebar tape might be one of the best upgrades ever for your drop-bar bike. These are the handlebar tapes that have won the team's approval. Balancing those requirements is no easy task and is why there are so many different tapes on the market. It needs to provide both cushioning to reduce the road buzz a bit, and a grippy surface for your hands to hang on to in all weathers.Īnd since handlebar tape it subject to pressure and friction from your hands, plus damage from falls and leaning against walls and the like, it also needs to be robust. Your handlebar tape is the essential interface between your bike and part of your body that's full of nerve endings, sensitive tendons and small bones: your hands.

Best artwork by a contributor: Kinesis Anti-Slip Handlebar Tape - Jo Burt Edition - Buy Now for £22.00 from Merlin Cycles | Find out more.Best value silicone tape: Tortec Super Comfort Handlebar Tape - Buy Now for £16.99 from Tredz | Find out more.Best on a budget: Prime Comfort Handlebar Tape - Buy Now for £12.99 from Chain Reaction Cycles | Find out more.Best for maximum cushioning: Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape - Buy Now for £39.00 from Tredz | Find out more.Best overall: Enve Handlebar Tape - Buy Now for £35.00 from Tweeks Cycles | Find out more.We've wrapped scores of handlebars and ridden thousands of miles or Tarmac and gravel to bring you the best handlebar tape you can buy. What's the best handlebar tape you can buy? It has to be comfortable, hard-wearing and grippy, and it doesn't hurt if it looks good. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support by earning us a commission. This article contains links to retailers.
