Zipp Service Course handlebar tape (£17.00)
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Like everything, there’s good handlebar tape and there’s bad handlebar tape.
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A fresh wrap of handlebar tape can make a big difference to the feel of your ride
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Zipp may be best known for their wheels, but their Service Course bar tape is lovely, too
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You get plenty of tape in a roll of Super Sticky Kush, so there won't be a problem even if you like to wrap your bars almost all the way to the stem
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You may have seen Prologo's tape on the handlebars of the Orica-GreenEDGE team in recent years
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Widget's Grip Wrap tape does the job well and won't break the bank at £14.99
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Tortec are better known for making bike racks but their tape is also top notch
Zipp Service Course handlebar tape (£17.00)
You’ll almost certainly know Zipp as the makers of top-end wheels and lovely carbon accessories but the Indianapolis-based company have a well-guarded secret: their handlebar tape.
It comes with a durable shiny-style finish (that actually looks a little like Supacaz tape in the black colourway) and the central section is medium density, providing a solid amount of padding for your hands. Easily enough to go gloveless. It’s definitely built to last and although it might not be quite as durable as Supacaz or Lizard Skins tape, it’ll stand up well even to the rigours of winter riding and you won’t need to re-wrap every month.
It’s an understated look as well, with the only detailing being the ‘Service Course’ logos and you have a choice of three classic colours: red, white or black. To finish it off, there’s Zipp ‘Z’ logoed bar-end plugs and logoed finishing tape which you can always swap out.
If you’re after something with a stickier finish, Zipp also offer a cyclo-cross version of this tape with a different feel to it.
Website: Zipp
UK distributor: Fisher Outdoor