Thickness is the decision
Thicker tape damps road buzz and takes pressure off your palms, which matters on the long, exposed stretches around the peninsula. Thinner tape gives a more direct connection to the bars, which some riders prefer for handling.
If your hands go numb on a three-hour ride, go thicker before you buy anything more expensive.
Replace it more often than you think
Bar tape is the part of the bike your hands are on constantly, and it is the first thing to look tired. Sweat and sunscreen break it down, and the salt air here does not help. Once it has gone slick or started to unravel at the ends, grip drops off exactly when you are braking hard.
Fresh tape takes twenty minutes and transforms how a bike feels and looks.
Wrapping it neatly is a knack — the tension and the overlap at the levers are where it goes wrong. We will do it for you at the shop if you would rather not fight with it. For flat bars, see bar grips.
