Does anyone here use skateboard deck tape (adhesive-backed, sandpaper texture) in lieu of standard bar wrap on their bullhorns and/or extensions? If so, I’d be interested in hearing your experience.
Is it overly harsh when climbing on the bullhorns? Does it tear up your hands - especially when wet/sweaty?
Does the texture last?
How hard is it to get off/replace?
Anything else to note?
Thanks.
Too grippy, their are lots of grippy bar tapes. If you want something not meant for a bike, try tennis grip tape.
Styrrell
I’ve used tennis overgrip and it works quite well. It’s thin and designed to be tacky when wet. I don’t think I’ll ever use regular tape on a tt bike again.
There was another member here who posted pics of a Shiv. I asked him if that was skate board deck tape. He said it was a rubberized deck tape that was used on boats.
Here’s the thread with pics.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=3416175
“The non-slip grip tape is a marine product, it has more of a rubberised base and feel, unlike skateboard grit tape which is like sandpaper.”
Some people use marine tape. It’s not as bad as deck tape.
I’ve used tennis overgrip and it works quite well. It’s thin and designed to be tacky when wet. I don’t think I’ll ever use regular tape on a tt bike again.
+1 This!
What problem are you trying to solve?
I’m mainly looking for something thin, but grippy. Maybe the tennis overgrip would be a better choice.
Not being a tennis player… Is “overgrip” just the stuff that they wrap the grips on their rackets with, or something different? Any particular brand/model that you’d recommend?
I use skate deck tape on the extensions and bullhorns - works great. Don’t find it overly rough. Haven’t tried removing it though so not sure how easily it will come off.
When the Zipp grip patches that came on my Vuka wore out, I decided to try a ride with no tape or grip on the horns.
And it was just fine - although I’m a major sweater in general, I realized my hands actually stay totally dry on the bike - surprisingly, no problems with slipping or grip even when I had to make quick grabs. Since then, I’ve done a lot of rides/races and I haven’t missed the grip/tape at all.
When the tape on my extensions finally starts to go (which is coming soon), I’m definitely going to try going “bare” on those too.
Just some food for thought - happy trails!
Cheers, Chris
What problem are you trying to solve?
Awesome. One of the more intelligent questions. If you’re in sales, I hope you rock.
There are two kinds of grip.
Standard grip is what is the racket comes with. It’s a few mm thick.
Overgrip is a thinner (less than 1mm) version and is simply meant to be wrapped overtop of regular grip.
I have the Wilson Pro Overgrip. I haven’t tried enough of them to know if one brand is better than the other. The packaging usually has some kind of information about its comfort, absorbancy, feel and tack (shown on the top left of the packaging in the photo), so it is possible to select one that has more or less of whatever quality your looking for.
A 3-pack usually costs less than $10 and was enough for me to wrap the basebars and extensions of two bikes.
Many years ago when I played a lot of racquetball you used to be able to buy a sticky mesh overgrip which was extremely thin yet tacky. Don’t know if that product is still available or not. The other product that might work (again depending upon what problem you are attempting to fix) would be medical grade adhesive cloth tape (not plastic, not silk), the white stuff.
i have it on the bullhorns after slipping off mine a lot in the humid summers. It can be a little awkward to put on as it is not laterally very flexible, so you can easily create a ridge which is somewhat annoying. Only problem I have had with it was doing an hour of hill repeats in the rain; took some of the skin off but not a lot. happy with the result. not taken it off yet, but it did not seem very sticky on carbon (had to tape the ends, but no different to doing this with normal bar tape).
Thanks for asking this question. I have been thinking of trying skateboard grip tape but now may try to tennis overgrip tape.
I think I’m going to try that first, too.
I’ve done it without problems. Fine on the hands, fine while wet. But I’m not sure I would do it again, doesn’t really seem necessary. Bike bar tape/tennis tape is a better solution. Using skate deck tape seems like a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.
My wife’s been using an anti slip tape from Tesa this season as she doesn’t like regular bar tape. It works really well and the 25mm width is perfect for tri bars etc. It’s neither too rough or smooth, seems just about right.
http://www.tesatape.com/...ucts/tesa_60951.html
I’d love to say it’s my idea, but it comes from my bike fitter who fits a lot of road and tri pros including Tony Martin. It’s a common solution in the pro peloton here in Europe.
When I cut off the “upturn” of my Vision bars (making the brake lever then horizontal) I needed to find something to put on what was remaining of the base bar (which would become my new grip point).
I decided to go with adhesive backed sandpaper (mine is made by 3M for rotary sanders- available at Home Depot etc.) It works out really well because the adhesive is strong enough to hold onto the bar (mine lasted 2 full seasons before needing replacement) and you can control the grip vs. hand tearing-up ratio by choosing different grits. (my 120 grit is great for bare-handed riding) It’s also cheap and (for those that are style conscious) is available in white. I’ve never had slip- but I will advise that I’ve put a few scuffs on the side of the car by leaning the bike up against it (it is sandpaper after all).
Just trim with scissors to the shape that you’ll need (with possible cutout below for brake cable housing) and apply to the clean bar.
Hope this helps. If you need pictures etc let me know.
Jared
Deck tape sounds painful. Go to a good tennis shop and you can probably feel various over-grip wraps. I haven’t played tennis for years, but there were several tacky over-grip options.
Many years ago when I played a lot of racquetball you used to be able to buy a sticky mesh overgrip which was extremely thin yet tacky. Don’t know if that product is still available or not. The other product that might work (again depending upon what problem you are attempting to fix) would be medical grade adhesive cloth tape (not plastic, not silk), the white stuff.
Gauztex
http://www.thegolfstoreonline.com/p-2209-gauztex-golf-grip-wrap-tape.aspx