Roadie bar tape and drop bars

[robpearson]

I've had my road bike about a year now, and the bar tape is showing its age and has a few rips in it. There seems to be mountains of the stuff available, does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm also thinking about changing my bars to something carbon to try and take some of the vibration out of the front end. Any suggestions there? The bike is a trek 1.2 so not worth spending a fortune on.

[itsnotarace]

Tyres and tyre pressures will have much more effect at damping road buzz than carbon bars, much cheaper too

I like Fizik Microtex personally, but in your case would recommend the gel version

[robpearson]

I have Michelin road 3s on fulcrum racing 5 wheels and usually run them at around 100psi. What sort of pressure were you thinking?

[itsnotarace]

It's the height of the tyres more than anything. Try 700 x 25mm, you can run them at lower pressure and still avoid pinch flats

[Chicane-UK]

Better quality tyres can make a world of difference. I bought a Trek 1.5 a year or so back and was suffering from regular punctures on the original fit tyres. I upgraded to some much nicer Bontrager RXL tyres which solved the puncture problem but also, unexpectedly, made the ride significantly more comfortable. To the extent that it was immediately noticeable the very first time I went out after fitting them.

So worth considering

[LRdriver II]

Jeez.. The man is asking for some carbon bling, and you guys all talk about tyres and stuff.. booooring solution


Just make sure whatever bars you decide to go for matches the width and drop you are used to.. Have a look around Ritchey bars, and see what width and style would suit you.
Regarding bar tape, many styles and thickness are out there and you cant go wrong with some Cinelli Cork stuff. Specialized also do some thicker shock absorbant stuff too

[robpearson]

Cinelli cork tape and ram bars are very tempting ;-) just not sure £350 on bars for a £600 bike is a good investment. Still I could always upgrade the group set and frame next