https://silca.cc/...nastro-aero-bar-tape
Pretty cool! I just ordered some to try out
Are any of you using thin bar tape or no bar tape on your aero extensions? I’ve often thought about taking it off as it isn’t really needed.
1 mm isn’t that thin for aerobars. I use either .8 or .5mm. But I agree with the sentiment. No idea why some would use 2.5 or thicker on extensions.
Post again after you use them.
I’ve been looking for low weight “aero” tape, but didn’t know if such a thing existed… Would this work for extensions and drops?
.5, .8, or 1.1mm Lizard Skin baseball bat tape.
That looks awesome. Curious how comfortable it is
Post an update with pics when you get it installed!
I use hockey tape on my extensions. It’s thin, cheap, and readily available in numerous colors/patterns.
I use skateboard grip tape on my basebar extensions. Same benefits. Not the most comfortable, but I don’t spend much time there. It’s perfectly fine for a few minutes at a time, which should be plenty for a tri bike.
I’ve been looking for low weight “aero” tape, but didn’t know if such a thing existed… Would this work for extensions and drops?
Look at the photo I posted. It’s for both.
So sleek I couldn’t even see it!
I haven’t used tape on the extensions for years. It isn’t necessary at all.
skateboard tape on the basebar.
Am I the only person fussy enough to notice that the left arm rest is rotated counterclockwise a few degrees?
I use textured shrink wrap
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Looks like more of a foam sticker than tape. Normally I’d wonder about adhesion, but Josh tends to get the details right. I like that it’s not insanely priced.
If you want super thin, go with silicone rescue tape (any auto parts store has it). It fuses to itself, but there’s no adhesive so it removes cleanly. Comes in a range of colors too.
Or buy ESI tape https://esigrips.com/silicone-tape
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Or buy ESI tape https://esigrips.com/silicone-tape
Yup, same stuff. I think “rescue tape” is a brand, but it’s become kinda generic like Kleenex…basically self-fusing silicone tape. The standard pack is 1" wide by 10’long. IIRC, I use about 16-20" for each extension. It’s also great for securing regular bar tape (instead of using electrical tape) since there is no goopy adhesive.
Yeah I use ESI tape to finish my bars.
+1 hockey tape on extensions and basebar and grip tape on the bar corners of my Speedconcept
I use hockey tape on my extensions. It’s thin, cheap, and readily available in numerous colors/patterns.
I use skateboard grip tape on my basebar extensions. Same benefits. Not the most comfortable, but I don’t spend much time there. It’s perfectly fine for a few minutes at a time, which should be plenty for a tri bike.
So it isn’t quite tape, but rather a kit of die cut pieces. Unlike even thin tapes, you can install it and add no frontal area on most bars.
It’s the same hydrophobic TPU that we use as the topcoat on our Nastro bar tape, reinforced for durability and with a 0.25mm thick waterproof 3M adhesive so that it can adhere to textured as well as smooth surfaces. It has the tiniest bit of cushion and actually has higher grip both wet and dry than skateboard tape without the abrasion issues… and side by side with skateboard tape it feels like it has a ton of cushion!!
Lizardskins baseball/hockey tape doesn’t seem to count the adhesive thickness, this looks/feels/measures similar to the ‘0.5mm’ Lizardskins which calipers out to be about 0.9 in the sample we have here… The SILCA tape is ~15% grippier dry and about 50% grippier when wet.
The Piloti tape is 1.85mm thick if you’re looking for more cushion. Unlike other brands, our foam is high rebound rather than high damping, so you get cushioning and responsiveness of much thicker tapes.
The foam technology comes directly from the Nike Next% foam development, you can read more here: https://silca.cc/pages/nastro-bar-tape-lp
In all seriousness, our test athletes convinced us that the Cuscino is the best indoor bar tape ever made… total game changer as the foam doesn’t compress hard to the bar and become rigid like other soft foams… eliminates numb hands and other issues.
Thanks for the detailed info Josh! Just need to add some color to the bar tape options!
$15 - I’m shocked. I would expect it to be at least $100 coming from Silca </pink’ish>
While I would agree, if you look at the product, it is actually providing VERY little “tapeâ€, which is fine, because that is where I have always trended for triathlon. I’ve debated going bare on my new build, but this will hopefully provide just a little cushion/comfort. But, for the amount of product being provided, I think this still reflects the usual Silca-high price. Hopefully it also reflects the Silca high quality. I decided to purchase too and will report back.