Handlebar Tape: The Complete Guide for Perfect Grip and Personal Style
A high-quality handlebar tape is much more than a visual detail – it's one of the most important contact points between you and your road bike or gravel bike. The right handlebar tape not only improves comfort on long rides but also provides optimal grip in every situation and gives your bike a personal touch. In this guide, you'll learn everything about the different types of handlebar tapes, their characteristics, and how to find and professionally wrap the perfect tape for your needs. want read more.
Handlebar Tape Materials: From Classic to High-Tech
Cork Handlebar Tape
Cork is a natural material with a long tradition in cycling and remains very popular.
Advantages:
- Excellent damping properties
- Pleasant warm grip feeling even at low temperatures
- Natural moisture absorption for sweaty hands
- Classic look with authentic road bike feeling
Disadvantages:
- Less durable than synthetic materials
- Can become slippery when wet
- More sensitive to damage and dirt
Modern cork tapes are usually reinforced with synthetic resin or EVA foam to improve durability without compromising the positive properties.
Synthetic Handlebar Tape (PU/Polyurethane)
Polyurethane handlebar tapes dominate the market today and offer an excellent combination of durability and performance.
Advantages:
- Extremely durable and abrasion-resistant
- Excellent grip even when wet
- Easy to clean
- Available in numerous colors and surface textures
- Good value for money
Disadvantages:
- Less natural grip feel than cork or leather
- Can become sticky in very hot conditions
Leather Handlebar Tape
Real leather is the premium option for road bike purists and vintage enthusiasts.
Advantages:
- Develops an individual patina over time
- Exceptionally comfortable with natural grip feel
- Very durable with proper care
- Timeless elegance and high-quality appearance
Disadvantages:
- Higher price
- Requires regular maintenance
- Can become slippery when wet
- Limited color selection
Silicone Handlebar Tape
A modern alternative that particularly shows its strengths in adverse conditions.
Advantages:
- Outstanding grip even in wet and dirty conditions
- Extremely easy to clean (often even dishwasher safe)
- UV-resistant and doesn't fade
- Very durable and reusable
Disadvantages:
- Less damping properties than other materials
- Can stretch slightly at high temperatures
- Higher price
Gel Handlebar Tape
For maximum comfort on long rides or on uneven surfaces.
Advantages:
- Superior damping properties
- Significantly reduces hand and arm fatigue
- Ideal for long distances and gravel use
- Good for riders with wrist or nerve problems
Disadvantages:
- Somewhat thicker and heavier
- Less direct feedback from the ground
- May minimally affect handling
Texture and Surface Structure: Grip in All Conditions
The surface texture of the handlebar tape significantly influences grip and riding feel:
Smooth Surface
- Classic look
- Pleasant for riding without gloves
- Easy to clean
Perforated Surface
- Improved ventilation in hot conditions
- Better moisture drainage
- Sporty appearance
Textured/Knobbed Surface
- Maximum grip even when wet
- Good control with or without gloves
- Modern look
Tacky/Sticky Surface
- Excellent hold without strong pressure
- Ideal for challenging descents
- Particularly good in humid conditions
Thickness and Damping Properties: The Right Comfort for Your Requirements
Handlebar tapes come in different thicknesses, offering various advantages:
Thin Handlebar Tapes (under 2mm)
- Direct feedback from the surface
- Lighter and more minimalist
- Ideal for racing where every gram counts
- Enables precise control
Standard Handlebar Tapes (2-2.5mm)
- Good all-round compromise between comfort and control
- Suits most riding styles
- Balanced feedback and damping
Thick Handlebar Tapes (over 2.5mm)
- Maximum shock absorption for comfort on long distances
- Ideal for gravel and bikepacking applications
- Good for sensitive hands or nerve problems
- Reduces vibrations on uneven surfaces
Gel Pads and Under Tape: Additional Damping Where Needed
For even more comfort, you can supplement your setup with these extras:
Gel Pads
These are attached to the top bar or drops before wrapping the handlebar tape and offer additional cushioning at the main contact points.
Advantages:
- Targeted damping at high-stress areas
- Can reduce numbness and hand fatigue
- Individual customization possible
Disadvantages:
- Changes grip thickness compared to unpadded areas
- Can cause pressure points if improperly installed
Under Tape/Second Layer
Some riders, especially in the gravel sector, wrap an additional layer (often made of thin foam or EVA) before the actual handlebar tape.
Advantages:
- Even additional damping across the entire handlebar
- Better adaptation to irregular handlebar shapes
- Increased comfort without thick gel pads
Disadvantages:
- More complex installation
- Thicker overall circumference of the handlebar
How to Find the Right Handlebar Tape: 5 Factors for the Right Choice
1. Analyze Your Riding Style and Routes
- Competition-oriented: Prefer thinner, lighter tapes with good grip
- Long-distance riders: Choose thicker tapes with good damping
- Gravel/Bikepacking: Robust, thick tapes with excellent grip in all conditions
- Everyday riders: Durable, easy-to-clean materials like PU or silicone
- Winter riders: Choose tapes with good grip when wet and insulating properties
2. Consider Your Gloves
What type of gloves do you predominantly ride with?
- Without gloves: Softer, skin-friendly materials like cork or leather
- Thin summer gloves: Almost all materials work well
- Thick winter gloves: Tapes with textured surface for better grip
3. Note the Handlebar Design
The shape of your handlebar influences tape choice:
- Standard road handlebars: Almost all handlebar tapes suitable
- Compact handlebars: Slightly more elastic tapes make wrapping around tighter curves easier
- Flare handlebars (gravel): More robust tapes for the wider drop zones
- Aerodynamic handlebars: Special elastic tapes may be necessary, e.g., when more padding and thus less pressure on the forearms is desired on long rides
4. Define Your Comfort Requirements
- Maximum comfort: Thick gel tapes, possibly with additional gel pads
- Balanced approach: Standard thickness with medium damping
- Direct riding feel: Thin, minimally damping tapes
5. Style and Design
The handlebar tape is an important design element of your bike:
- Classic look: Cork or leather in black, white, or brown
- Colorful accent: Choose a color that picks up other elements of your bike
- Eye-catching highlight: Contrasting colors or patterns for an individual statement
- Tone-in-tone: Subtle color coordination with frame or other components
Properly Wrapping Handlebar Tape: Step-by-Step Guide for Perfect Grip
What you need:
- Your selected handlebar tape
- Scissors or sharp knife
- Electrical tape (preferably in a matching color)
- End plugs
- Possibly gel pads or under tape
Preparation:
- Remove old tape: If present, completely remove the old handlebar tape and thoroughly clean the handlebar.
- Position shifters: Make sure your brake/shift levers are correctly positioned, as subsequent adjustments would damage the new tape.
- Apply gel pads: If desired, apply gel pads to the desired locations now.
- Apply under tape: If you're working with under tape, wrap this first.
Wrapping Instructions:
- Determine starting point: Begin at the bottom end of the handlebar (handlebar end plug).
- First wraps:
- Leave about 10 cm of tape overhanging, which will later be tucked into the handlebar end.
- Wrap the tape so that the first wrap goes over the overhanging end.
- Keep the tape under slight tension – not too tight, but not too loose either.
- Even wrapping:
- Wrap the tape diagonally upward, with each new wrap overlapping the previous one by about 1/3 to 1/2 of the tape width.
- Maintain even tension – too tight can damage the tape, too loose leads to wrinkles.
- The wrapping direction should be chosen so that the tape doesn't come loose when gripping (tightens rather than loosens when hands rotate from above onto the bar).
- Around the brake levers:
- When reaching the brake/shift levers, form a figure-8 around the levers.
- Guide the tape from above behind the lever.
- Then from below back to the front and continue upward.
- This "figure-8" ensures clean transitions without gaps.
- Wrap the top bar:
- Continue wrapping on the top bar.
- Make sure the tape lies cleanly at the transition to the lever clamp.
- The tension should remain constant.
- Finishing:
- End the wrapping about 2-3 cm before the stem.
- Cut the tape cleanly and straight.
- Secure the end with the included color-matching adhesive tape.
- Wrap the adhesive tape tightly and evenly to achieve a clean finish.
- Attach handlebar end plugs:
- Neatly fold the tape that was left overhanging at the beginning into the end of the handlebar.
- Press the end plug in firmly until it sits securely.
Tips for a Professional Result:
- Consistent tension: This is the most important factor for a professional-looking result.
- Even overlap: Make sure each wrap overlaps the previous one by the same amount.
- Clean transitions: Especially at the brake levers, there should be no gaps.
- Work from both sides simultaneously: For beginners, it's often easier to wrap both sides one after the other. Professionals often start simultaneously from both sides to achieve a symmetrical result.
- Correct mistakes: If you're not satisfied with the result, don't hesitate to unwrap the tape and start again. With some care, the same tape can be reused.