I would like to replace the stock bar tape that is currently on my bike. What brand / style of tape do you recommend?
Best bar tape IMO is Lizard Skins.
Depending on what you are looking for, comfort, grip, durability, color, etc. Here is what I like and what I’'m thinking about.
Shimano Pro Digital Carbon Tape.
Black
Pro: Low profile, great grip, looks great
Con: Not a lot of padding, one time use only due to the tape on the back.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/PRO-DIGITAL-CARBON-SILICONE-PRTASMSI/dp/B005FU9H18
Fizik Microtex
White
Pro: Super easy to clean, just wipe the white clean and new, Cheap
Con: Can be slippery when wet IMO
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Fizik-BT01A10015-Bicycle-Bar-Tape/dp/B000N0SQKI
Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm
All Colors
Pro: Many colors, solid construction, great grip.
Con: Price
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Skins-White-DSP-Tape/dp/B0030GD3KA/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1419739947&sr=1-4
Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
All colors, combonations.
Pro: Awesome construction, unbeatable color options.
Con: Price
Link: http://www.supacaz.com/product-category/?product_cat=bar-tape&dppage=1
Best bar tape IMO is Lizard Skins.
Agreed. I love Lizard Skins
For road handlebars I like Lizard Skin and for tribars I like Plasti Dip. Since all the cables are internal, I like just a bit of grip.
Lizard Skin for road bikes.
For bullhorns, I use Gamma Grip 2.0 (racket tape). It’s thin (aero), cheap, and grippy when wet. Very little padding, but you’re not going to spend a lot of time in the bullhorns (and for the aero extensions little padding is needed).
Fizik makes the best looking/feeling bar tape. IMO
Lizard Skin is ok but does not last as long, its a little to sticky plastic to me.
Fizik Microtex
.
Depending on what you are looking for, comfort, grip, durability, color, etc. This.
And thanks for the detailed info on those four.
I’ve been using EVO for both my bikes bar tape. Awesome product and colors…
+1 for Fizik, I use their Performance tape on both road and tri bike. Good grip, cleans up well, great durability, looks good, lots of colours, reasonable price. I won’t use anything else now.
+1 for Fizik, I use their Performance tape on both road and tri bike. Good grip, cleans up well, great durability, looks good, lots of colours, reasonable price. I won’t use anything else now.
x2 on Fizik. Love mine as I needed white and it cleans super easy.
Best bar tape IMO is Lizard Skins.
In my opinion it is also one of the best, just make sure to not stretch it upon application. Or else have a bike shop install it, it doesn’t stretch the same as cork tape, expensive but seems to last a bit longer and super comfy.
Another vote for the Fizik Microtex. I REALLY like the “glossy” version. I prefer white - and the glossy stays white and clean looking, forever!
The only downside to the Fizik Microtex is that it does not naturally come with a lot of padding. However, Fizik does have a solution for that with gel inserts you can place under the tape at key locations.
Another vote for the Fizik Microtex. I REALLY like the “glossy” version. I prefer white - and the glossy stays white and clean looking, forever! How is the grip, especially when wet?
I used some sort of white Fizik a few years ago but it got dirty easily and was hard to clean. Now I’m using Lizard Skins which has great grip when wet and is easier to clean, but still not as nice as Bike Ribbon (which I love except it’s slippery when wet).
**How is the grip, especially when wet? **
Who rides in the rain? 
Seriously, though, the “glossy” version I can say would be a bit slippy when wet. However, this is for road use, and I am always wearing cycling gloves, so this is not an issue for me.
Best bar tape IMO is Lizard Skins.
+1 on Lizards Skins. This is the nicest most luxurious normally priced bar tape out there. I’ve fallen in love!
GFs road bike has lizard skins on it, haven’t ridden it outside test ride after tune ups but feels nicer than the profile designs stuff I have on mine, will probably use it when I change mine out.
Tri bike I have gone to just some athletic tape on the extensions and love it, will be doing the same on the bulls when I redo it all this winter.
Road - another vote for lizard skins. Also use vizio microtex.
TT - black cotton bar tape. Super thin and just enough grip, even when wet.
Another vote for racquet tape.