The original Cinelli handlebar tape, in a mixture of polyurethane’s with a high content of natural cork, which absorbs shock and sweat and ensures a safe, comfortable grip. By now an indispensable part of a real race. With Cork, bar tape has made a leap forward in quality, both functional and aesthetic, allowing millions of cyclists to personalize their machine with a nice touch of color. Color that never fades, because is not printed on, but inserted in the mixture.
Strengths: Grippy. Comfortable, Easy to appy ... it works well.
Weaknesses: The white isnt pure white, but more an off-white with specs of brown in it.
Bottom Line:
Traditional cork bar tape.
Nothing flashy, no gimiks, no 'body geometry', 'CAD designed', 'ergomic', 'solar powered' rubbish ... just good honest cork bar tape.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager tape. Whatever came on my bike, dont know what it was.
Bike Setup: Bauer (NZ brand) frame (kinesis tripple butted), ultegra 9/10 and Dura-ace 8/9 mix of parts.
Fixie on a converted track frame, some phil wood, ck, shimano and mavic bits.
Cotic Roadrat single speed with bontrager race bits, but converting to geared ultegra/Dura-ace tomorrow.
Strengths: feels great; looks super classy, especially when shellaced
Weaknesses: a bit more expensive than other cork tapes
Bottom Line:
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: 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.
Bottom Line:
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.
Similar Products Used: Provile, Deda, Bontrager Ribbon, Cloth, Cloth over Cork.
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.
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.
Bottom Line:
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.
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?)
Bike Setup: Steel frames with various combinations of non-ShimaNO equipment.
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.
Bottom Line:
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.
