Pearl Izumi Greptile Handlebar Tape

Price Paid:  $20.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
my last one, and the one i am about to do

Bike Setup:
GT,Ultegra Components

Summary:
not to bad, lasted a little over a year. not too much cushion. bought the gloves and never really had any mishaps. if looking for good grip, works well. looking for cushion, use a different product

Strengths:
grip!

Weaknesses:
paper tape, terrible. after awhile the tape began to seperate from the grippy material

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Price Paid:  $7.00 at Pearl Izumi Outlet

Favorite Ride:
N. Ga

Bike Setup:
Specialized Allez Comp, full ultegra, Carbon Kenisis fork, Shimano 535 wheels, WTB tri-lite seat.

Summary:
I got the gloves on clearance about two years ago, and immediately noticed an increase in grip (though less cushy than normal bike gloves). Even on my mountain bike I noticed an improvement with less slip. Feels like they actually stick to stuff. Once I got my roadbike setup, I got the bar tape at the outlet store for about $7. While it does have less cushion than cork, the improvement in grip more than makes up for it. Sine you dont have to grab as tight to keep from slipping, less cusion is needed (you dont squeeze all the cushion out just trying to hold on). Even more amazing is the lack of slip in the rain. It does have a tendancy to pick up fuzz and other stuff and hang on to it, but that can be removed easily and it only makes it look a little dirty after a while, doesnt affect performance.

Strengths:
Sticky, no slip, not excessively cushy

Weaknesses:
Picks up glove fuzz and stuff, end tape sucks (use electric tape or something, not a problem big enough to loose a + ), maybe not cushy enough for you? Also, wrap it tight, stretch it just slightly or it will look/feel/come loose a bit.

Similar Products Used:
Cork that was on my bike, other cheap imitation cork.

Price Paid:  $20.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Customized Raleigh R500

Bike Setup:
Raleigh R500, Shimano 105 full group, 3t Mutant stem, selle italia oktavia, 9 speed 105 w/ triple

Summary:
In my search for new gloves I came accross an ebay auction for the greptile gloves and tape for less than $20. The delivery came today as I wes stepping out the door on a ride. Instead of stopping and retaping I just switched gloves and went out. I immediately noticed how much more stick I had to my cinelli cork. After a good ride I was sold on the gloves so I switched out my tape also. I then went for another 8 miles and I have nothing but the best to say. I gave a few extra turns in my drops to add custion but my fears of no padding was unwarrented. The gloves are minimalistic in their padding, but what they have is placed perfectly for me (a climber and/or sprinter) The tape also, may be less firm in it's cushion as the cinelli, but it enough for a good hard and like me, heavy rider.

Strengths:
Grip is far improved, nice amout of padding. Never knew how much slip I acctually had, you can relax your grip and still hold firm leading to less hand fatigue.

Weaknesses:
the look, it is a little odd but is ok. Although the gloves' leather had little bits that come off and stick to the tape surface, just a little aesthetic flaw. Paper tape, I suggest use electrical tape then put the paper tape on top.

Similar Products Used:
cinelli tape

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ColoradoCycle

Summary:
This stuff has a really good grip. It is not hard, but it is not real cushy. I used black electrical tape at the end to hold, works much better than the cheap paper tape that comes with it.

Strengths:
Really good grip.

Weaknesses:
Cheap paper tape.

Similar Products Used:
Really old bar tape that has no cushion at all

Price Paid:  $20.00 at Bicycle Outfitter

Favorite Ride:
Valley Ride in Los Altos

Bike Setup:
raod racer with steel !

Summary:
I do not recommend this product at all.

Strengths:
If you like hard grip tape and like to ware gloves.

Weaknesses:
need gloves, in hot weather the tape come loose very easy. I would have to retape the bars once a week. I do not recommend this product at all.

Similar Products Used:
OFF the Front