Bar tape on new bike ripped already

[Goobs]

I got my new Defy 1 last month and lent it against a wood fence whilst opening a gate. A gust of wind moved the bike and it started to fall over before I grabbed it but not before a splinter ripped a piece of my bright red bar tape out !
God knows what Giant make their tape out of but my old Raleigh would have laughed at such frail materials.

My question is should I replace the tape with the same manufacturers Connect Gel red tape or fit something else ?
The frame is a 2014 Black/Red with matching saddle and red bar tape.

Black or Red ?
I presume it is worth less if not kept original but then am I throwing a tenner at more fragile tape that will just rip again the next time a cat licks it ?

 

[Saluki]

I use Bontrager tape and find it to be fairly durable. Not expensive and nice and comfy on the hands.

 

[RebornBumbler]

Fit something you like the look and feel of, and ideally available locally. Bar tape isn't going to feature in terms of bike valuation.

There are plenty of vids on YouTube dealing with the fitting process - the only additional advice I'd give is to steer away from tape with adhesive backing.
Tapes with silicon (?) gel backing (or none) are easy to unwrap and redo if you don't do a great job first time round.

Unless the bike is seriously red, black is way more practical.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

The original tape will not last forever, I have to replace at least once a year. I can highly recommend Deda bar tape, it's nice and soft and easy to do.

 

[snorri]

The first scrape on a recent purchase can be annoying, but Is it really worth fretting over a £10 roll of tape?
Get a roll of the nearest matching colour, apply it to your 'bars and get cycling, .
A few miles on the bike is the best thing invented for clearing trivial worries from your head.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

If you are worried about it "being worth less if not kept original", can I suggest you don't ride it?

Otherwise, put on it what you want and do something radical called customisation!

 

[Saluki]

I presume it is worth less if not kept original but then am I throwing a tenner at more fragile tape that will just rip again the next time a cat licks it ?

Quick query, did you buy the bike to ride or to keep in cotton wool as a future antique?
Bike's don't appreciate in value you know. They are not like a house in an up and coming area

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Quick query, did you buy the bike to ride or to keep in cotton wool as a future antique?
Bike's don't appreciate in value you know. They are not like a house in an up and coming area

I wonder if some older classic racing bikes are actually worth more now than new, just a thought.

 

[Saluki]

I wonder if some older classic racing bikes are actually worth more now than new, just a thought.

They possibly are but I am willing to bet that they don't have the original bar tape on any longer.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

They possibly are but I am willing to bet that they don't have the original bar tape on any longer.

lol

 

[slowmotion]

I used black Specialized Roubaix tape. I had quite a lot of fun attempting the "figure of eight" jobbie round the brake hoods but I got there in the end. It's quite easy to undo the tape and have another attempt if you are not happy. I bought some Cinelli gel pads too but didn't use them in the end. This thread might help you...

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/wrapping-bar-tape.163379/

Good luck

 

[Saluki]

This is a good vid to watch.

View: http://youtu.be/w8PqH7bltJQ
It explains how to tape your bars simply and sensibly.

 

[Hyslop]

Black

 

[Mrs M]

Hubby ripped my white tape on my then, new bike.
Wasn't too happy with him, took it to LBS and they put on a black spongy cork tape, still on 3 years later.
Don't stress over it, nobody died

 

[Apollonius]

Mice eat bar tape in my shed. They also ate my wetsuit, some sponge tennis balls and some plastic bags. I remonstrated with the cats but they were busy. Sleep is hard work, they say.