Favorite Ride: somewhere hilly and away from people
Bike Setup: cyclocross bike used on paved roads and dirt roads
Summary: I bought the Deda tape after reading several positive reviews.
The back of the tape has a strip of adhesive material that holds it to the bar. I was able to wrap it very tightly without much stretching. After a few months, it doesn't seem to have loosened up at all. I should also note that I installed this tape when I converted my bike from Shimano STIs to bar end shifters and dedicated brake levers. Because this was a fairly major conversion and I'm a bit of a novice, I had to re-wrap the bars several times before I was happy with everything. You'd think this would have had a detrimental effect on the bar tape, but it didn't matter. So far the Deda is still immovable.
As for the feel... I hate wearing gloves so I need a tape with some padding. The Deda tape is just soft enough to absorb some road vibration without feeling mushy. The surface feels slightly tacky to the hands. In other words, it's just right.
Given the quality and price of this product, I doubt I'll be changing brands any time soon.
Strengths: comfortable without being too soft; wraps tight and stays in place
Weaknesses: none found
Similar Products Used: Cannondale (OEM) gel tape
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Summary: This tape is just superb--highly recommended. It goes on easy, I've never ripped it during installation, and it stays put on the bar. The tactile feel of the tape is what wins me over time and again--it's almost sticky without being tacky at all. It grips very well, in wet or dry conditions. And, without any cosmic gel or padding, it absorbs vibrations very well.
Strengths: Easy to put on
Stays out on the bar
Superb feel/grippiness, wet or dry
Wears well
Weaknesses: More expensive than others, but at $15, I don't mind
Similar Products Used: Specialized Bar Phat, Trek tape, Italian cork
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Bike Setup: fondriest carb level in lampre colors. mix of campy parts and stella azzurra components. HED bastogne wheels
Summary: The blue color matched my Fondriest well and the tape went on easy enough, but once the tape got wet, it never dried well during the humid part of the summer. i nearly t-boned another rider because my hand slipped on a club ride. constantly damp and very slick with gloves or bare hands. i finally replaced with stella azzurra eleganza tape that breathes very well and stays dry and grippy
Strengths: nice color choices, easy to apply
Weaknesses: does not breathe. stays wet in humidity on and under the tape
Similar Products Used: cinelli, stella azzurra
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