Bike handlebars and handlebar tapes

Grips or bar tape?

The handlebar shape decides. Straight handlebars on mountain bikes, trekking bikes, and city bikes get grips. Road handlebars are wrapped, because the hand sits in several positions there and a rigid grip would be in the way.

For grips

Lock-on grips, for example the Voxom lock-on grips in our range, are fixed with a clamp and do not twist, even in the wet. Slip-on grips are lighter and cheaper, but they only sit as tight as the fit allows. Ergonomically shaped models with a wide platform relieve the heel of the hand on long distances, but they need the right angle adjustment.

For bar tape

Cork tape feels warm and dampens well. Gel tape dampens more and is thicker. Synthetic leather tape lasts longest. Thicker tape absorbs vibration but makes the handlebar noticeably bigger in the hand, which can bother smaller hands.

Wrap from the outside in, with about one third overlap. With too much overlap, the tape does not reach the stem.