Handlebar tapes are very vital as they shield the handlebars, which is the most important part that helps in operation of the bicycle. Handlebar tapes add to the grip making your ride safer since you have a better control on your bicycle. Yours hands feel more comfortable and relaxing, making your riding experience more blissful! Handlebar tapes are made of numerous materials like leather, cork, plastic but leather bar tapes are the most preferred and supreme ones since they meet all your requirements.

Why Leather?

Leather is easily the best choice for your handlebar as it is highly durable and lasts longer than any other synthetic or fabric materials. It is highly resilient, retains its shape and maintaining it is very simple. It is very strong and wouldn’t wear off for years. It is resistant to heat, cold and partly-waterproof and therefore is ideal for all weather conditions. Furthermore, it ages beautifully and looks look on your bicycle even after years. It is also immune to fungal attacks and resistant to fire. Your hands feel good on it and these are the qualities that make leather a widely popular choice.

Where to get leather bar tapes:

There are many brands that make high-quality leather bars and you can choose according to your needs and tastes. VO tapes are a well-known company producing leather bar tapes. They come with adhesive backing and hence it is very easy to install them. They also provide plastic bar ends and finishing tapes. Brooks leather bar tape looks very good on vintage bicycles, is strong and has a solid grip. It is highly recommended for cyclists who frequent difficult roads. DiPell produces leather bar tapes that are very resistant to scratches and other damages. It absorbs sweat and sustains your grip. These leather bar tapes come in a wide range of colours and styles and you can choose to customize your bike. Amusingly, you can also emboss whatever you wish to on leather tapes and give your bicycle a personalized, cool look.

Disadvantages of leather bar tapes:

Leather bars are quite expensive and hence they are sometimes limited to conditions where durability and harsh climatic conditions are an issue. It isn’t the perfect material that could absorb vibrations and shocks since cork bar tape does a better job of it. It is also doesn’t add much to the padding and therefore additional base wrapping might be required.

Installing a leather bar tape:

After removing all the residues of the old road bike handlebar tape, start wrapping the tapes from the open ends of the bars towards the centre. Leave a little bit in the end to tuck it in and to cover it with the end plug. Envelop your handlebars neatly and evenly and ensure that the overlaps are done accurately.

Leather bar tapes definitely are the most elegant, defensive and comfortable tape to encase your handlebars.