[StormStrikes]

Originally Posted by John_V

Scotty,

Double wrapping is easy and you don't have to use expensive tape for the first layer. The way my buddy does it, is to start the first layer near the stem and wrap in the opposite direction of the outer layer. This will crisscross the two layers and give you a nice wrap that won't slip. Also, when applying the first layer, don't overlap it on itself, unless you want an extra thick cushion. If you do overlap the first layer, try and wrap the second layer so the overlap falls on the non-overlapped area of the first layer. This will make the outer wrap look more rounded and will be much smoother looking.

John, thank you. I believe, with the great info that you have provided, this is the way I will do it. That should be enough increase in diameter to do the trick for when I am in the drops or on top. Thank you.

[StormStrikes]

Originally Posted by Merlincustom

It may or may not be a fit issue. Sounds like the shop isn't the greatest on fit anyway. I don't know how you were fit originally. This might help. Get your riding bud to assist you.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

That is exactly where I went to get all my fit and frame information. I was painstakingly meticulous about the measurements as well. At first I went there purely to get the frame size I needed. Once I had that I set the email they sent with all the measurments aside and kind of forgot it.

As I began working on getting the saddle height dialed in and got it to where everything seemed about perfect. I ran across that document again. I checked the Bottom Bracket to Saddle Position measurement and it was DEAD on to what it recommended. So I have left that document out on my desk to refer to.

The only thing I have found that was off on it was the stem length. I needed a shorter stem. I was really stretched out with the stem length they recommended and my arms were not relaxed at all. Other than that everything else has been pretty much right on.

[LarryM]

It's surprising that no one mentioned Bontrager Gel Cork tape. http://www.bontrager.com/model/00075/

Works like a charm.

[davereo]

I just thought I would add that 95% of my riding is on the hoods. So bar tape is not adding much comfort to my riding. Gloves would make a better overall comfort improvement. I buy the Nashbar tape firstly because I am frugal when it comes to perishable parts.

[StormStrikes]

I dont think I found any of the nashbar tape on Amazon but I like Johns idea of the double layer. So I am going to do that and if I can find the nashbar tape I will try that out and see how it goes.

Since you have brought up the gloves, lets add that to the equation. I have some half finger gloves that are decent, but they aren't the most comfortable things in the world.

That said, what recommendations would you have on gloves. Also, I dont want to lose sight of the bar tape discussion either, lets keep that going as well 'cause I am open to any good ideas.

[StormStrikes]

I should add, what I will likely do is go down to the LBS to get the bar tape. Initially I was going to order it online, but Im going to be down in that area in the next day or so, so I might as well get some from there and support them even though they are far away. If they have Nashbar I will get that, if not then I will look at something else.

[davereo]

http://tinyurl.com/cr8qazo
heres a link to nashbars bar tape I use. Be prepared for sticker shock at the LBS. My LBS bar tape runs 17.99 and up. I have purchased Avenir Brand bar tape on Amazon for around the same price. So if you are Prime on Amazon you can get the tape in two days free shipping.

Luis Garneau Rex Gel gloves for around 15 bucks are pretty good for the price. They have a little padding between the thumb and index finger. Along with all the usual padding.

[StormStrikes]

Originally Posted by davereo

http://tinyurl.com/cr8qazo
heres a link to nashbars bar tape I use. Be prepared for sticker shock at the LBS. My LBS bar tape runs 17.99 and up. I have purchased Avenir Brand bar tape on Amazon for around the same price. So if you are Prime on Amazon you can get the tape in two days free shipping.

Luis Garneau Rex Gel gloves for around 15 bucks are pretty good for the price. They have a little padding between the thumb and index finger. Along with all the usual padding.

WOW!! Nashbar is stupid cheap.

I am prepared for the sticker shock at the LBS. However, in this case its probably going to work out best. I get to keep my word that I would shop the LBS for this product, I get to hold it in my hand and see what it feels like and so on and I suppose I could even pick the brains of the people there and see what they have to say. Though I am much more inclined to by the thoughts, opinions and advice from here.

I will check out the gloves as well. I need to order a couple tools and I can get all that on Amazon, so I might as well add the gloves to the list.

[John_V]

Scotty,

If you get to your LBS for the bar tape, look to see if they have any Profile Design tape. I have a roll that I bought at my LBS and it was only $12.95. Also, Giant's bar tape is the same price. There are some tapes that are much higher, like the Lizard Skin that I have on my Colnago ($35.00).

Gloves, on the other hand (), are more personal and I think you would have to try some on to get a good idea of exactly what you want. Myself, I prefer the Specialized line of gloves, especially the BG series. I started out with the BG Pro ($40.00) but then they changed the material they use for the palm area and the gloves sucked. I now use the BG Comp ($35.00) and like them more than the BG Pro series. I also saw some half-fingered gloves at Home Depot and Lowes (carpenter's gloves) that look a lot like cycling gloves, that are padded in the palms, but at a cheaper price.

Edit: Just looked at the link that davereo posted for the Nashbar tape. That is a really good price and their Profile Design tape is cheaper there, as well. If they offer free shipping, that would be the way to go, but unless you have other items that you are going to order, the cost of the tape and the shipping may be what you would pay for it at a LBS.