Bontrager  Gel Cork Handlebar Tape

I replaced ~20 year old black handlebar tape with this gel cork tape in white and it was the easiest way to make handling my older road bike more comfortable! Watched a couple of YouTube videos before wrapping it myself and got both sides looking good by the second or third try. It was easy to wrap > unwrap > rewrap. There was no glue or residue leftover when you unwrapped. The gel cork is very comfortable and I'll definitely get this again when I (inevitably) change my mind about the white color. *Note: White looks awesome but don't expect it to stay clean for long!

Looks great and feels great light weight and absorbent looks great on my TT bike.

I am very happy with this tape. It has a very nice feel and even helps to slightly dampen road vibrations. I have cycled for over 20 years and this is incredibly the first time I have used bar tape that WAS NOT adhesive backed. I have never had lots of problems installing adhesive backed tape; however, I will say that installing this non-adhesive backed Bontrager was almost a pleasure. I really appreciated how the lack of adhesive made it so easy to go back an re-do a couple of sloppy spots on the bends in the drop. I think I will look for non-adhesive backed bar tapes like this Bontrager tape from now on

Replaced the horrible stock tape on my Salsa with this. I'm very happy with the result. This tape is very comfortable and offers a good grip.

just enough for a road bike drop handlebars

Whenever I rode the ARD 1.2 I always needed to wear gloves. The grip of the handlebars was very thin and anytime I went over a bump I would really feel it in my hands. Even with gloves my hands would hurt after awhile. After I got into a crash last year, I needed to replace my handlebar tape since the old ones got shredded during the crash. I went with these Bontrager tapes because they have cork in them. I have something similar on my Topstone and I able to ride that bike without gloves. So, I had the shop install these on my bike and just like with the Topstone, I no longer need to wear gloves when I ride the ARD 1.2. They feel so comfortable on my hands that I don’t feel the road vibrations through my hands anymore no matter how rough the road gets. This tape is amazing!

Pros - Looks great. Comfortable on your hands. Easy to install Cons - no durability unfortunately. Purchased on June 2nd. 200 miles later - 37 days later. Started to fall apart where my hands are holding it most often. It’s a bummer because it’s so comfortable and looks great. I use is for casual 3-10 miles rides to and from the gym or to get ice cream. Nothing intense I cannot recommend it.

This tape has a good combination of grip and cushioning without being too thick. Had REI's bike shop install it and have been pleased with the outcome. Have enough miles with it on the bike to know it will be great on my longer rides.

Put on old Schwinn road bike. Easy to apply came with two end caps, two strips for brake cross over and two black 'tapes' top secure at top of bars. Ordered white. Not slippery. Firm but enough give (pad) for me.

Stretchy and easy to install. Did a figure eight and there was still plenty of tape at the end. Seems thinner than traditional cork, but that also makes it more flexible.