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review
Bar tape & grips
Bike Ribbon Wafer bar tapeBike Ribbon Wafer bar tape

Bike Ribbon Wafer bar tape

7
by rob_simmonds
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Nov 29, 2010

0
£8.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Too firm for long haul truckers but trackies might appreciate the textured grip
Weight: 
54g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk
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This waffle patterned tape from Bike Ribbon is certainly different, but it's hard to see who it's aimed at.

The USP of this tape is the dimpled surface which is pleasingly tactile and quite dry. It's fairly thin though, the waffling doesn't add a great deal of cushion for your hands and it also comes up very short. Wrapped on the teeny-tiny bars of my vintage Carlton (37cm outside to outside) it only just about makes it onto the tops.

My best guess is that this is tape for trackies riding without gloves. The waffle pattern should give a better grip with sweaty hands and the length would be fine on narrow track bars with no brake levers to negotiate. Of course on a billiard smooth velodrome the lack of cushioning won't matter either.

Verdict

Too firm for long haul truckers but trackies might appreciate the textured grip.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Bike Ribbon Wafer bar tape

Size tested: black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Sadly Bike Ribbon don't provide anything by way of blurb.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Did you enjoy using the product? No - not enough cushioning

Would you consider buying the product? No, but then I'm of a long haul trucker than a trackie

Would you recommend the product to a friend? For track use, yes

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 5\' 8  Weight: er....86kg

I usually ride: GT Rave - singlespeed conversion  My best bike is: Guess SC1 scandium

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,

Bike Ribbon
Handlebar tape

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