Cinelli Cork Solid

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Surly LHT, Cinelli cork tape, Brooks Flyer saddle, stock everything else

Summary:
So far, I'm loving this tape. I got the tan color. It has a very nice feel to it - firm and supportive with just enough cush. Four coats of amber shellac and it matches my Brooks honey brown Flyer perfectly and will never tear or wear out with annual application. The shellac reduces the grippines somewhat, maybe, but adds a slick leathery feel that I think is quite pleasant.

Strengths:
feels great; looks super classy, especially when shellaced

Weaknesses:
a bit more expensive than other cork tapes

Similar Products Used:
the cork tape that came stock on the bike

Price Paid:  $16.00 at Local Shop

Favorite Ride:
Cool, Sunny, Hilly, Classic.

Bike Setup:
Race: Twrek 5200, Ultegra, Rolf Vector Pro, Vittoria Open Corsa.
Commute: '73 Raleigh Fixed conversion. Wheels built by me with Surly, double butted DT and Delgado Cross rims. 25c Conti's. Track bar.

Summary:
I commute AND race. For racing, this cork tape is fine, especially if you have a penchant for that vintage feel. For commuting, it is TOP NOTCH. It's textured, not too squishy but also not rigid. I find it gives me a great feel for the road. It can be expensive if purchased locally. Luckilly, it's cheaper online.

Strengths:
IMHO, Cinelli has the best feel hands down. Yay to cork! It's pretty durable, gives a positive grip rain or shine, looks good, and definately stays put. I can still imagine better, but this is the best tape I've found yet.

Weaknesses:
To look good and function well, this tape needs to be applied by either a careful and experienced mechanic, or a very attentive and methodical novice. It does like to tear, and in the event of a crash, may not make it. Yet applied correctly (tightly), I find it holds up reasonably well... rain OR shine.

Similar Products Used:
Provile, Deda, Bontrager Ribbon, Cloth, Cloth over Cork.

Price Paid:  $10.00 at various places

Favorite Ride:
in beauty

Bike Setup:
Steel frames with various combinations of non-ShimaNO equipment.

Summary:
I've used this stuff on and off for about 15 years or so.

By far its best quality is the unique way it provides cushion and support. It's not squishy like gel products, but it also has a plush feel that most other tapes don't have.

The wrap looks nice, too--at least if you manage to get it on the bar in one piece and it doesn't get too dirty.

Every once in a while you can catch it on sale for ten dollars or so. Buy a few sets then.

Its worst qualities is that it gets slippery in the rain, it doesn't last more than a couple of months and that it's by far the most difficult wrap to install. Other wraps and grips are easier to install the first time around than Cinelli cork wrap is even after a few dozen tries.

Strengths:
The grip and feel to which I alluded.

The colors and patterns available.

If you are adamant about having a classic-looking or all-Italian bike, this tape fits the bill.

Weaknesses:
Tears easier than my sheerest pantyhose.

As I mentioned, it's slippery in the rain if you're not wearing gloves.

Similar Products Used:
Torelli Moda (much more durable), Deda wrap (ditto), leather wraps (can't beat 'em for looks and status), Tressostar and other cloth tapes, Benotto (remember it?)

Price Paid:  $15.00 at Swan Cycles

Favorite Ride:
hills

Bike Setup:
Bianchi San Lorenzo, Dura Ace 9

Summary:
Cinelli cork tape can't be beat. it's comfortable and long lasting, and stays grippy when wet. I don't wear gloves in hot weather, and the Cinelli tape makes for comfortable riding.

Strengths:
comfort, long life

Weaknesses:
costs more than synthetic blend tapes, the chrome coating on the end plugs scratches off, the sticky tape on the back can make a bit of a mess.

Similar Products Used:
Pearl Izumi tape

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I haven't tried any other tape, so I have nothing to compare the stuff to. However, in my experience, Cinelli tape is decent, but the roll is not long enough. I have an oversize bar, and I run out of tape about 2 revolutions too soon. I just put on my third roll, and even knowing I'd need to widen out the loops, there was still not enough. I have to end up taking old tape and adding that to finish the job. Looks kind of amateurish, but that's the only thing you can do.

Also, if you live in a hot summer climate like me, the glue on the tape can melt and then the tape slides off (where the top of the bar curves going into the hoods).

Strengths:
Comfortable, looks really nice

Weaknesses:
Melty glue. Not enough tape on roll for oversize bars.