Bar tape is a small part that you touch on every ride. The right tape adds comfort, keeps your grip in the wet and changes the look of your bike for very little money. Lizard Skins, Supacaz, Fizik and PRO are four of the most popular road brands, and each has a distinct approach to thickness, grip and price. This guide compares their current tapes using each brand's official product pages and US prices, checked on 8 October 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Lizard Skins DSP is the specialist in choice of thickness: DSP V2 in 2.5, 3.2 and 4.6 mm (74–102 g), and DSP Ultra in 2.7 and 3.5 mm (90–101 g, $49.99).
• Supacaz Super Sticky Kush is the tacky, embossed PU classic: 2,200 x 30 x 2.5 mm, $45–$50, with a 3.2 mm Gravel version at $48.
• Fizik's current bar tapes are Racefeel (2 mm), Ridefeel (2.7 mm) and Comfortfeel (3.5 mm), from $32.99 to $49.99. The older Tempo Bondcush (3 mm, 52–57 g) is discounted to $27.99.
• PRO's current range has three families: Pursuit (aero and sprint), Peaked (climbing, 2.5 mm) and Pioneer (gravel, 3.5 mm), each in Sport, Performance and Team tiers. PRO's site shows no retail prices.
• Thickness is the biggest comfort decision; surface texture decides grip.

The Four Brands at a Glance

Lizard Skins DSP: The Most Thickness Choices

Lizard Skins' DSP (Durable Sticky Polymer) tapes come in two families.

DSP Bar Tape V2 uses what Lizard Skins calls a new pattern, an upgraded polymer and a screw-in bar plug. It is offered in 2.5 mm (74 g, 208 cm), 3.2 mm (86 g, 226 cm) and 4.6 mm (102 g, 231 cm), and Lizard Skins' thickness guide also lists a 1.8 mm version (66 g). The box includes two rolls, finish strips, clamp covers and screw-in plugs. The colour we checked was $31.99.

DSP Ultra uses "premium 3M adhesive" and comes in 2.7 mm (90 g, 216 cm) and 3.5 mm (101 g, 234 cm), with a 1.9 mm (82 g) version listed in Lizard Skins' guide. It costs $49.99.

Best for: riders who want to fine-tune comfort by thickness, from race-thin to very cushioned.

Supacaz Super Sticky Kush: Grip and Colour

Supacaz's Super Sticky Kush is PU tape, 2,200 x 30 x 2.5 mm, with an embossed surface that Supacaz says "wicks away moisture and maximizes grip" and "remains extremely tacky in wet conditions". It costs $45 in solid and Galaxy colours and $50 in special finishes. The box includes two rolls, Star Plugz and finishing tape.

SSK Gravel ($48) is the same tape at 3.2 mm for more cushioning. There is no "Super Sticky Kush Classic" model; and the very thin Supacaz "Miami" products (0.5–1.75 mm) are baseball bat grips, not bar tape.

Best for: riders who want a tacky grip, especially bare-handed, and a huge range of colours.

Fizik: From Race-Thin to Comfort

Fizik's current bar tape range is organised by thickness:

• Racefeel, 2 mm: Classic $32.99, Tacky $39.99.
• Ridefeel, 2.7 mm: Tacky $44.99.
• Comfortfeel, 3.5 mm: Classic and Soft $39.99, Tacky $49.99.

The older Tempo Bondcush (3 mm) is still sold at a reduced price ($27.99, regular $39.99): the Soft version weighs 52 g with a "matt-look, silky moisture absorbing surface", and the Classic weighs 57 g with Bondcush "mid-padding polymer foam". Fizik does not publish tape lengths.

Best for: riders who want a clear choice of thickness and surface feel (Classic, Soft or Tacky).

PRO: Tapes Designed Around Riding Style

PRO, Shimano's component brand, organises its current tapes by riding style:

• Pursuit: aero and sprinting, 2,000 mm, with an EVA comfort layer and gel backing; the Team version adds a 3D-embossed PU upper and alloy aero end caps.
• Peaked: climbing, 2.5 mm, 2,000 mm, with EVA layers and gel backing; Team version with a 3D-embossed PU upper and lightweight alloy end caps.
• Pioneer: gravel, 3.5 mm, 2,000 mm and wider; Team version with an embossed PU upper and alloy end caps.

Sport and Performance tiers use end caps made from 100% recycled polypropylene. PRO's website shows placeholder prices and no weights, so check retailers for pricing. The older PRO "Sport Control Team" tape no longer appears in PRO's catalogue.

Best for: riders who want a tape matched to a specific style of riding.

How to Choose Bar Tape

Thickness. Thin tape gives a precise feel and suits smaller hands; thick tape absorbs more road buzz but makes the bar feel larger. Riders with hand numbness on long rides usually benefit from 3 mm or more.

Surface. Tacky and embossed surfaces grip sweaty, bare hands better; smoother or "soft" surfaces feel pleasant with gloves.

Weight. Lizard Skins publishes the most weight data (66–102 g depending on thickness); Fizik lists 52–57 g for Tempo Bondcush. Supacaz and PRO publish none. For most riders the weight difference between tapes is small next to comfort and grip.

What comes in the box

Screw-in or expanding plugs stay put better than push-in plugs, which matters if you crash or transport your bike often. Clamp covers, included by Lizard Skins, make a neat finish around the brake levers.

Grip, gloves and weather

If you ride without gloves, the surface matters more than the brand. Tacky polymer and embossed PU surfaces hold sweaty hands best; smooth or "soft" surfaces can feel slippery when wet. With gloves, cushioning becomes the main difference you notice. Riders in hot or wet climates who ride bare-handed should favour a tacky surface, such as Supacaz SSK, Lizard Skins DSP or one of Fizik's Tacky versions.

Matching tape to your bike

Light-coloured tape looks striking but shows dirt quickly; black hides grime and suits any frame. If you want colour, Supacaz has the widest range of colours and finishes, and Lizard Skins offers patterns such as Carbon Camo. Tape is also one of the cheapest ways to refresh an older bike's look.

Wrapping and Care Tips

1. Remove the old tape and adhesive residue, and secure cable housing to the bar with electrical tape.
2. Start at the bar end with an overlap past the end of the bar, so the plug holds the tape.
3. Wrap with steady tension, overlapping each turn by roughly a third, wrapping from the inside outwards on the drops.
4. Cover the lever clamp with a short strip or a figure-of-eight wrap.
5. Finish on the tops with a diagonal cut and the supplied finishing strip.
6. Fit the bar-end plugs firmly; Lizard Skins' screw-in plugs and Supacaz's Star Plugz are designed to stay put.

Clean tape with a damp cloth and mild soap, avoid solvents near the bars, and replace tape when it tears, goes shiny and slippery, or compresses so much that it no longer cushions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most comfortable bar tape?

The thickest options: Lizard Skins DSP V2 4.6 mm, Lizard Skins DSP Ultra 3.5 mm, Fizik Comfortfeel 3.5 mm or PRO Pioneer 3.5 mm. Comfort also depends on hand size and gloves.

Which bar tape has the best grip?

Tacky, textured tapes such as Supacaz Super Sticky Kush, Lizard Skins DSP and Fizik's Tacky versions. Supacaz says SSK stays tacky in wet conditions.

How much does bar tape weigh?

Lizard Skins lists 66–102 g per set depending on thickness; Fizik lists 52–57 g for Tempo Bondcush. Supacaz and PRO do not publish weights.

How long is a roll of bar tape?

Supacaz SSK is 2,200 mm per roll, PRO's tapes 2,000 mm, and Lizard Skins 208–234 cm depending on thickness. Fizik does not publish lengths.

Is PRO Sport Control still available?

It no longer appears in PRO's official catalogue. PRO's current tapes are Pursuit, Peaked and Pioneer.

Does Supacaz make a 0.5 mm bar tape?

No. The thin Supacaz "Miami" products are baseball bat grips. Its thinnest road bar tape is 2.5 mm.

Which bar tape is easiest to wrap?

Tapes with good stretch and a reliable adhesive strip are the easiest. Lizard Skins highlights the 3M adhesive on DSP Ultra, and all four brands include finishing strips or tape. Whichever you choose, keep steady tension and an even overlap, and take your time at the levers.

How often should I replace bar tape?

No brand gives a fixed interval. Replace it when it tears, goes shiny and slippery, or compresses so much that it no longer cushions, and whenever you replace cables or levers.

What thickness should I choose for road cycling?

2.5–3.2 mm suits most road riders. Go thinner for racing feel or smaller hands, and thicker for long rides or rough roads.

Verdict

There is no single best bar tape, but there is a clear way to choose. Pick the thickness first: Lizard Skins offers the widest choice, from 1.8 to 4.6 mm, and Fizik's Racefeel, Ridefeel and Comfortfeel make the choice simple. Then pick the surface: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush and Lizard Skins DSP are the grippiest; Fizik's Soft and Classic surfaces feel smoother. PRO's Pursuit, Peaked and Pioneer tapes are worth a look if you want a tape built around how you ride.

Sources

• Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape V2 and DSP Ultra
• Supacaz Super Sticky Kush Black and SSK Gravel
• Fizik Tempo Bondcush Soft and Tempo Bondcush Classic
• PRO Pursuit Team, Peaked Team and Pioneer Team

Equipment mentioned in this guide

• Lizard Skins DSP bar tape
• Supacaz Super Sticky Kush bar tape
• Fizik tacky bar tape

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