The choice is yours with Lizard Skins DSP bar tape with three thicknesses (1.8, 2.5 and 3.2mm) and a variety of colors to match your bike. Each thickness offers personalized performance whether you ride with or without gloves or ride a carbon or aluminum bar.
Lizard Skins DSP 1.8mm Bar Tape Features:
- 1.8, 2.5 or 3.2mm thickness options
- 82-inch (1.8 and 2.5m) or 89-inch rolls (3.2mm)
- Includes end plugs and finishing tape
- Weight: 50, 56 or 78 grams
- MSRP: $41.99 – $45.99
Grippy and comfortable on a gravel bike with alloy bars.
Tacky and comfortable bar tape
Bar tape is available in every color under the sun and in a wide range of tackiness. We’ve all got our favorites, but across-the-board, I always prefer something with a high amount of tackiness and Lizard Skins DSP bar tape delivers that in spades.
With subtle textures and a super-grippy feel, I’ve been impressed with the 1.8 DSP bar tape during several months of testing
You can see the magical grip offered by the dimpled pattern.
Installation was initially not so good as I took the “Do Not Stretch” sticker on the packaging a little too literally. “I’ve never yoinked any tape during install,” I thought to myself, so I proceeded to install it loosely. After a couple of rides, the tape started moving around and I developed gaps. Luckily, I was able to unwrap and then re-wrap the same tape, but with the proper tension this time.
On that second install, I maintained consistent tension, trying hard not to stretch the tape but instead keeping even tension. It has since been movement-free and comfortable.
Second install was much better — even tension without stretching.
Since Lizard Skins DSP tape comes in a variety of thicknesses, you’ll want to consider your bar type (carbon, aluminum) and bar shape (ergo, compact, etc.) as well as your glove choice and terrain. I’ve ridden with 1.8mm tape with and without gloves on both the Pro Vibe Carbon and Zipp Service Course SL-70 Ergo alloy bars. Thicker tape will make riding bare-handed even more comfortable, but the feel of the tape has remained equally-tactile.
It’s tacky without being sticky and I can move around the bar without problems. I love the shock absorption and bar feel that DSP tape delivers — especially during high-speed, chattery descents where grip is critical.
The Good
- Super-tactile feel without getting in the way
- Installs easily and can be re-installed
- Available in various thicknesses
- Very durable
The Bad
- “Do not Stretch” should say “Install Using Even Tension”
- Expensive stuff
The Bottom Line: Lizard Skins DSP 1.8mm Bar Tape
Lizard Skins has made a splash at all levels of the sport and across both MTB and road disciplines. As far as bar tape goes, the DSP 1.8 is superb for tactility and all-around bar feel. It’s grippy and available in a wide array of color options to match your ride or stand out from the crowd.
Buy Now: Available at CompetitiveCyclist.com
2 Comments
SO it’s been two years since your review. How has it held up? I have heard that Lizard Skin tape can sometime not even last one season.
So… yeah… I haven’t had it on a bike that’s been used extensively beyond the Niner RLT in this review (which is no longer in the fleet). Thanks for the note about durability. I need to get this tape back onto another bike that I can put through the wringer. I wish I had more long-term experience, but in the 3-4 months of use I did have, it remained intact.