Bar tape is quite a personal choice. I’ve got my favorites, but I’m now adding the Fabric Knurl tape to that list. It’s easy-to-wrap, comfortable and durable.
Fabric Knurl Tape Features:
- Made from high-grip rubber
- Includes silicone gel for comfort
- With bar ends and finishing tape
- Weight: 110 grams
- MSRP: $40
Knurl tape impresses
Finishing a bike off with a good bar tape is always the last step. For me, I typically use it to add a little pop of color to my build just to keep things interesting. Thankfully, most of my favorite bar tapes are offered in a variety of colors and the Fabric Knurl tape has enough options to satisfy my need for color pop.
For my Trek Domane SLR Disc test bike, I finished things off with the blue color. Though not as powder blue as I’d like, it’s a nice color that complements my frameset quite nicely.
More important than color is how it wraps. I’ve found some tape that is difficult to stretch and pull around levers, but the Knurl tape does so quite handily. It’s easy to maintain good spacing — even for a wannabe wrench like myself. The bar ends are easily-inserted and offer a nice finishing touch beyond simple push-in end caps.
I did my best to use the finishing tape provided, but I always just go with a couple of wraps of electrical tape. I’m admittedly no professional, but the end product is forgiving and offers a nice touch both with or without gloves.
For me, I like how the Knurl tape offers a good mix of grip and comfort without being overly-tacky. Some tape is just too grippy and others are too slick. The subtle grip texture pattern and high-grip rubber makes for just the right touch, in my opinion. Dancing around the bars is always smooth. And speaking of smooth, this stuff does a great job of adding an extra dose of comfort on every ride.
The Good
- Easy-to-stretch and install (even for a wonk like me)
- Good blend of grip and comfort
- Variety of colors to add pop to your ride
The Bad
- On the pricey side
The Bottom Line: Fabric Knurl Tape
Fabric has proven their mettle in a short amount of time by delivering top-quality components and accessories. Their Knurl tape is a great example of a simple, but stellar product that’s comfortable, grippy and durable.
Buy Now: Available at JensonUSA
