Road Bicycles are specially designed bicycles for riding on paved roads. They are built to have extra power, speed and have numerous gear combinations. They are in many ways similar to a racing bicycle and yet are different as they do not possess the hi-tech racing facilities. They are unlike the bikes that are built for mountains or other kinds of bikes that are specially made for made for difficult roads. Road bikes are light-weight yet strong and have been built in an aerodynamic position that ensures comfort to the cyclist. The handlebars of road bikes withstand all the pressures and body-weight of the rider. Therefore handle bars of road bikes need high-quality, good-performing tapes to encase the bars. Handlebar tapes of road bikes protect the handlebars from getting slippery and provide a grip for the cyclist. They comfort your hands and prevent them from going numb after long rides.

Handlebar tapes for road bikes are made to survive different climatic conditions. They are usually made of leather, cork, plastic and cloth. Different materials have different, specific advantages. Leather is durable and resilient while Cork has the ability to absorb shocks and vibrations. Plastic are very thick and comes with special padding. Some of the road handlebar tapes come with adhesive backing while some are non-adhesive. Adhesive ones are easier to install and non-adhesives are very flexible. There are a huge number of manufacturers who produce handlebar tapes for road bikes. Easton Synthetic Cork road bike bar tape is longer and has a better pad. It also helps in better breaking of the bicycle and can work effectively in both wet and dry conditions. They are soft and have UV-protected colours. Road Bike Handlebar Tape from Planet Bike have solid grip, are highly water and corrosion resistant. Dipell also produces leather handlebar tapes that can suit all road bikes are extremely resistant to scratches. You can choose the bar tapes of your favourite colour and customize your road bike as you wish to.

Taping the road bike handle-bars

Start wrapping the tape from the end of the handlebar, up to the brakes, overlapping carefully and neatly. Make sure the overlapping is regular. Use the adhesives of the tapes carefully, taking care that the adhesives touch only the handlebars and not the tapes themselves.

Most of the road handlebar tapes come with an extra piece of tape meant for covering the brake hood. When you reach the brake-hood, you can use this extra piece which also adds to the padding of the tape.

Make sure that you wrap both the sides of the handlebar following a similar pattern. After wrapping is done, cut off the remaining tape using a razor or a utility knife. Use finishing tapes and end plugs to seal the ends of the bar.