The finest gravel bar tape will assist hold your palms extra comfy and add grip once you’re driving on gravel. It will serve equally nicely so as to add some further consolation for highway riders too.
As you head for longer, rougher rides it may be good to have a bit of additional cushioning beneath your palms, and the perfect gravel bar tape will just do that. Instead of fascinated about this checklist as being gravel-specific, you may need to give it some thought by way of choices designed for extra cushion and the power to take extra abuse. It doesn’t matter in case your driving is endurance highway driving, all-road, or all-day gravel, you’ll find one thing that can be just right for you.
The finest gravel bar tape choices out there immediately
Best total
1. Brooks Cambium rubber bar tape
Best gravel bar tape total
+ Long lasting
+ The finest ending tape round
+ Non-stretch rubber higher
+ Works within the moist
– Chunky bar finish gained’t at all times match
The Brooks Cambium saddle wasn’t one thing the model anticipated to take over within the early days of gravel biking the way in which it did. They focus on it as taking them abruptly however they recognised it and ran with the thought. The Cambium rubber bar tape is one piece of that. The really feel of the highest is similar to the Rapha Pro, since they’re each artificial rubber, nevertheless the Brooks possibility does a bit higher within the moist and there are color decisions. The bar finish plugs are additionally totally different and are a push-in fashion produced from rubber as an alternative of aluminium. I’ve run into some bars that they will not slot in although be sure you confirm earlier than throwing away your present plugs.
What I actually love about this bar tape is that it lasts without end and it’s at all times the identical thickness. With most bar tapes, if you happen to pull tighter the tape will stretch and supply much less cushion. Getting a fair wrap is tougher and because the Cambium tape doesn’t stretch, it’s not one thing you must fear about. It additionally lasts a very very long time, at the least in black, and I like the material ending strip for the bit of sophistication it provides.
You can learn extra particulars in our full Brooks Cambium Rubber handlebar tape overview.
Budget possibility
Best gravel bar tape on a price range
+ Inexpensive
+ Plenty of color choices
+ Washable
– Not the perfect feeling possibility
The destructive for this feature from Deda is that it is not the perfect feeling, or at the least that is how I really feel about this fashion of bar tape. There are different those that find it irresistible and in case you are considered one of them, it is an awesome alternative. Deda has a spread of gravel-specific components however its fundamental emblem bar tape is not really a part of that assortment. I included it regardless of that as a result of it suits the invoice as a traditional cheap foam bar tape. It would not value quite a bit and it is not fancy however the worth is correct and it is nicely made. At 2.8mm thick, it additionally occurs to be on the thicker aspect with regards to these kind of tapes. If you don’t like the thought of spending some huge cash on bar tape and simply need one thing that works and appears good, that is it. It’s additionally good to go this route if you happen to like including color as a result of colored tape appears to be like very soiled shortly and this makes the funding even decrease.
Stylish
Best gravel bar tape for fashion
+ High-quality bar ends
+ Very sticky
+ High-quality ending tape provides fashion
– Only gentle color choices
Rapha, as at all times, completely nails fashion. The black tape just isn’t presently out there, however one of the vital iconic colors in fashionable biking is the high-viz pink within the Pro lineup, though it and the white different will imply loads of scrubbing to maintain them clear after your trip. Along with the color, additionally, you will discover Rapha’s signature phrases of encouragement embossed within the tape. Of course, when wrapped they’re slightly robust to learn however wrap rigorously and they are going to be seen close to the top of the drops.
Along with all of the fashion options, the efficiency of the Pro bar tape is top-of-the-line. The prime seems like pure rubber and it’s totally sticky even when moist. There’s not plenty of texture, loads of padding, and all the additional ending items are top quality. The solely draw back is that for all of the fashion on faucet, there are solely two, gentle color choices.
Colour alternative
4. Fizik Terra Microtex Bondcush bar tape
Best gravel bar tape for color choices
+ Colour choices
+ Smooth and cheesy
+ Arrangement of logos make it simple to wrap
– Low high quality ending items
Rapha is likely to be a high-style possibility nevertheless it solely has two colors out there in its bar tape. Fizik goes the wrong way, and the Terra Microtex Bondcush bar tape is definitely very plain. The texture is easy and cheesy with a foam development that makes use of two several types of artificial foam. There’s loads of grip when it is dry nevertheless it does diminish a bit when moist.
I’m together with this regardless of that as a result of, for me, that tradeoff is value it. I by no means trip with gloves except it’s raining and the Fizik Terra bar tape by no means leaves my palms feeling torn up irrespective of how lengthy the trip. The 3mm foam solely provides to that by serving to kill any highway buzz when on the pavement. Don’t anticipate this to be a gel tape although, as regardless of the point out of it within the description, it’s solely a skinny strip coated with adhesive. If you’re searching for a gel backed bar tape, this isn’t your best option for you. Given the wonderful foam, that is not a difficulty so long as expectations are set. Also take into account that in case you have a pleasant set of aluminium bar plugs, it is likely to be value holding on to them; the Fizik tape solely has easy black plastic ones.
Dry climate tape
5. ESI Grips NEW RCT bar tape
Best gravel bar tape for dry rides
+ Super comfy in opposition to the pores and skin
+ Thicker than customary
+ Shrugs off mud
– Slick when moist
When gravel racer Alexey Vermeulen ran by means of his setup for the premier US race Unbound Gravel in 2022, he had one thing distinctive included. Covering his sponsor-provided bars was a roll of ESI silicone wrap. It’s a unique product and after spending time with it, there is no doubt why he selected it. The firm refers to it as wrap as a result of there is no adhesive on the again, however what’s actually distinctive is the three.5mm silicone development. There’s no gel, there is no foam, simply an additional thick layer of silicone and a collection of slits. The silicone already presents extra cushion than different bar tape choices, however the slits permit for further compression and much more consolation. The silicone additionally laughs off mud and is simple to clean in addition to being exceptionally tender in opposition to your palms. It does get a bit slick within the moist, however in case you are searching for a summer time gravel possibility it is a pleasure to trip with. This can be value contemplating in your indoor driving setup. For me, these bar tapes don’t get modified a lot and I’ve discovered it may be a nightmare to scrape adhesive off of your bars once you do resolve to alter. Given that the ESI doesn’t use adhesive, it by no means places you thru that ache.
Gel pads
6. Spank Wing Gravel Drop Bar Tape, Gel Pad, and Plug Kit
Best gravel bar tape with gel pads
+ Includes silicone padding
+ High high quality expander plug
+ Excellent worth
– Lacks behind the hood ending piece
– Looks used shortly
I like including some silicone padding to my bars. If you might have a Campagnolo Ekar-equipped bike, or any Campy bike for that matter, it’s good for smoothing the transition between the hoods and the precise bars. It’s additionally nice to simply add wherever you are inclined to relaxation your palms essentially the most.
In phrases of discovering gel padding to make use of, Fizik has it out there as a standalone product however Spank sells it as a part of a package deal. Instead of paying practically the identical worth for gel and tape, the Spank package deal is simply a small improve over the value of the tape alone. Once you’ve received the gel it tends to final for a very long time so subsequent time, you should purchase the identical tape with out the gel additionally.
The bar tape itself is a material feeling foam development that feels precisely the identical when it is moist. It’s an extremely tender suede really feel that’s in contrast to anything on the market. The draw back to it’s that it behaves a bit like actual suede and it will get smoother within the spot you maintain your palms. Just like colored tape, it gained’t final so long as a few of the different choices on this checklist. On the upside, it’s loads lengthy sufficient to wrap extensive gravel bars with plenty of flare. Spank additionally contains very nice bar ends nevertheless it would not embrace a separate piece to make use of on the curve. In most instances you’ll be capable of reduce that off from the surplus however gravel bars get awfully extensive generally and I at all times admire it when it’s included.
Cheap fashion
Best gravel bar tape for fashion on a price range
+ Bar finish is attractive
+ Colours are vibrant and enjoyable
+ Logo texture provides fashion with out being overdone
+ Very sticky prime
– Lacks behind-the-hood ending piece
There are definitely cheaper choices for bar tape however in case you are searching for one thing higher than fundamental foam, the PNW Coast is a discount. The development is 2.4mm foam with a prime that feels similar to one thing just like the Rapha tape. That prime additionally presents fashion decisions reminiscent of seven vivid and enjoyable colors in addition to a texture that is based mostly on the emblem however stays summary. The bar ends are a excessive level as nicely. They have an anodized triangle sample that matches the feel of the tape and appears nice paired with any tape. In phrases of longevity, I’ve personally lined over 2000 miles with this bar tape and it is solely simply beginning to present a bit of damage. The solely factor I’d wish to see added is both further size or an already reduce piece for behind the controls.
Easy-wrap
8. Ergon BT Gravel bar tape
Easiest gravel bar tape to wrap
+ Pattern can be a information for neat and even wrapping
+ Extra thick however with a foam really feel
+ Works within the moist
– No ending for behind the controls and a plastic push-in bar finish
Ergon presents three bar tapes that vary from 2mm for a road-specific answer as much as 3.5mm for the gravel possibility. You can decide or select what works for you however I wished to incorporate the three.5mm gravel possibility given it is smart right here. The solely different possibility on this checklist that thick is the ESI and that is a drastically totally different feeling bar tape. The Ergon makes use of a normal foam development however the prime is stickier than a cork fashion. There’s a texture that gives tackiness nevertheless it additionally helps you line up the tape as you wrap and even has choices for a way thick you need the ultimate product. The again has a refined angle distinction and relying on the way you layer it you may get a ticker, or thinner, last product. However you find yourself doing it, if you happen to like a foam development with an adhesive again however you want the thought of a thicker bar tape then the Ergon BT Gravel is your most suitable option.
Textured
9. FSA Powertouch bar tape
Best gravel bar tape with texture
+ Often on sale
+ Uniform texture
+ 3mm thickness
+ Colour choices
– Lacks ending strips
Most of the choices I’ve included on this checklist are easy. The possibility from PNW does have a texture nevertheless it’s not uniform. There’s additionally the Brooks Cambium, my favorite on the checklist, however not everybody goes to like the value of that one. That leaves a little bit of a gap within the lineup for one thing that has texture for people who favor it but additionally comes with a extra affordable worth.
The FSA Powertouch bar tape hit’s all the suitable notes. It’s not the most cost effective bar tape you’ll find however the worth is on the decrease finish and it is usually discounted. The 3mm tape can be out there in an honest vary of colors. Perhaps extra importantly although, it feels very nice. The texture will not trigger any ache in your hand, even with out gloves, and it’s totally cheesy. There’s a little bit of stretch to make wrapping simpler nevertheless it’s not a lot that it is exhausting to get the thickness appropriate. There’s additionally a silicone backing to assist with wrapping however no adhesive to get caught on the bars. The solely factor I do not like is that, like most of the choices right here, there is no further piece to go behind the controls.