Handlebar tape used to be the quintessential affordable custom part.
...And yet.
The passage of time and rising costs are fearsome things; those days when bar tape cost around 1,000 yen are a distant memory, and lately, 5,000 yen has become the norm. With some tapes now even exceeding 10,000 yen, it’s no longer easy to swap them out on a whim to match your mood.
This makes you crave bar tape that lasts.
When it comes to long-lasting tape, the gold standard is BROOKS leather. It requires proper care, but if you look after it, the color deepens and it conforms to your grip the more you use it.
That said, leather bar tape doesn't suit every bike. Just as we were wondering what to do, **GREPP** bar tape arrived on the scene.
At first glance, it looks like cotton bar tape, but it’s actually made of a plant-based synthetic fiber called TENCEL™ Modal, and—get this—it is washable.
Washable = Long-lasting ≒ Maybe it will even develop some character?
I’m still in the early stages of using it, so it's unclear if it will develop a unique "patina," but being able to wash and use it for a long time is a huge advantage when choosing bar tape. It’s a fantastic feature for bikes like cyclocross or gravel rigs that are bound to get caked in mud.
So, I decided to go ahead and wrap it on my own bike.
However, while wrapping it a few times, I realized something.
This tape... is thin.
Thin bar tape provides a firm, connected feel to the handlebars, which is great for road and touring bikes, but it feels a bit rough for an aging rider like me who deals with shoulder, back, and neck pain. Especially since my bike is a CX bike.
I thought a bike intended for rough terrain could use a bit more cushioning, so I decided to wrap it over the top of the cork bar tape already on my bike.
It feels great.
It’s a little thick, but it’s comfortable to grip and seems like a solid choice.
The issue with fiber-based bar tape, I think, comes down to how to finish the edges. With nylon-based materials, you can usually sear the ends with a lighter, but you can’t do that with this TENCEL™ Modal. When that’s the case, your best friend is always this.
Super glue.
Applying a little bit to the end will help prevent fraying and give you peace of mind when washing. With that done, it’s all set for long-term use; all that’s left is to really put it to the test.
I’ll report back later on how it actually holds up and about the washing process, but for now, I’m off to ride my bike and get it properly dirty.
GREPP Gripper Handlebar Tape
Composition: 86% TENCEL™ Modal,
13% Elastodiene (inner),
1% Recycled Polyester
Width: 27 mm
Thickness: 1.6 mm
Includes: Bar ends x 2
Woven in Sweden
Price: 5,830 yen (tax included)
