The 9 Best gel cork tapes (2023 reviews)

The zipp gel cork tape's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The CX is tackier and is a more tactile bar tape. It is sticky so it's hard to unwrap and redo, but not impossible. It is easy to adjust and nicely padded without being brittle or over the top spongy like that lizard brand. It provides excellent grip and prevents slip in any weather condition.

It is more durable than other tapes and has a rubber cushion surface rather than adhesive. The adhesive backing means you can take it off and start over if you mess up without tearing the tape. There is just enough to wrap the bars.

Why We Like This:

Solid quality, excellent grip for those wet and muddy races, and comfortable
Stretches well so it's easy to dial in your desired thickness
Absorbs sweat real well, very comfy, and easy to install
Good cushioning, good grip when wet, good feel, installs well

Best For steering wheels: SRAM gel cork Tape

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Compared with other tape in this category, the sram gel cork tape has a convenient design. The sram bar tape is installed easily and provides a comfortable surface on the bars. It comes with cork for superior grip and cushion. The cork tape is super stretchy and durable, so you can get a nice tight wrap and make it as thick or thick as you like in any area. The two rolls that come with plenty of extra to wrap both road bike handlebars generously. It is easy to install, it is very comfy, and it is a great color.

It comes with extra pieces for the hoods and finishing tape for a complete kit.

Why We Like This:

Looks great, and feels great while riding
Looks great and holds up in the rain
Provides a fair amount of cushioning without being too bulky

Best For An Unparalleled performance: Fizik gel cork Tape

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The Fizik handlebar tape has the right amount of cushion, durable and it looks great. It is the thinnest option for pin-sharpening handling and control. This set includes a small piece of handlebar tape for behind your brake levers, and a piece of black tape to secure the wrap at the stem. The surface feels like rubber, and plus the groove providing the tackiness, it is very easy to ride in the drop while sprint.

The performance tape is cushier, and also has slightly thinner edges for a neater appearance once wrapped. It's flexible enough to make wrapping a breeze and strong enough not to rip during installation. It is easy to apply, no signs of it being fragile after a few months of regular riding. This tape will be as durable, and maybe even soften up a bit with use.

Why We Like This:

Nice and grippy with good cushioning
Great product, excellent quality in the perfect colour
Aesthetically quite beautiful, which is a great plus

Best For Bicycle: Planet Bike gel cork Tape

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The planet bike gel cork tape's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. Great bar tape gives you enough to do the job and it makes a very good cushioned grip even when wet. The tape wraps well and is very strong which means you can pull hard and it doesn't break. It provides a good grip and padding. The wrap itself is soft and cushy, yet strong and able to be re-wrapped dozens of times if you mess up. The tacky back allows reworking if you need to fix the wrap spacing.

There is plenty of length to this tape and it is very comfortable. It is easy to apply and really does improve comfort. The tape is very strong which means you can pull hard and it doesn't break.

Why We Like This:

Comes with some little extra pieces to pad pressure points and add some shape
Comfy grip, easy to install, plenty of padding
Reflective bar plugs also work great

Best For things: MARQUE gel cork Tape

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The marque gel cork tape's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This is your typical cork bar tape, and has the comfort one would expect when fully installed. It’s easy to work with, very flexible, and soft under hand. It has a high quality with multiple uses. It is designed for comfort and performance without sacrificing durability or steering. The bar ends go in very secure so you don't have to worry about them falling out.

It's sticky, and the tape is very comfortable with a little bit of padding to it. There are short pieces included for the brifters, end plugs and fixing tape. It has a nice comfortable wrap just be careful and finish with electrical tape. It's thin but has good adhesion.

Why We Like This:

Excellent for wrapping a metal walking/hiking pole
Wraps easy, nice texture, good grip
Easy to put on, and nice thickness and feel to it
Easy to install, great feel on handle bars, and good looking finish

Best For bullhorns: Domain cycling gel cork Tape

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If you want nothing less than best desirable tape, then domain cycling gel cork tape is the one you should definitely consider, as it manages to bring a lot to the table. It is easy to wrap tape and forgiving if a gap happens where you have to backtrack. It fits a long handlebar plus it is great for golf push carts. It is made for a stress free bar wrap not worrying about running out.

It comes with this set of 2 rolls of grip tape for handles, so you won’t run out of wrapping tape for a long, long time. The extra length is a big plus. The tapered edges work well when wrapped at the right angle, leaving a flat, cushioned surface with a secure grip. It's a nice cushy material.

Why We Like This:

Great feel, tacky and sufficient cushion
Great wrap and the extra length makes the installation easier
Perfect thickness, great feel, lays flat
Great texture, and extra length is perfect for overwrapping

Best For comfort: TOPCABIN gel cork Tape

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate tape. The topcabin gel cork tape is exactly that - it's a simple tape that hits all the right notes. These get very slippery. It creates cushion and added comfort during long bicycle rides while delivering exceptional grip for more riding comfort. It comes with adhesive tape for easy installation and includes handlebar end plugs and finishing tapes, about the length of each one. It sticks really well and the color matches perfectly.

It has quite a bit of cushion. It does not have a sticky back but if you pull it tight it stays on the handle bars perfectly. The tape is stiff, so putting it on takes a bit of muscle, but it works out great. They also have tape on the back which is pretty nice.

Why We Like This:

Really easy to put on the bars
Easy to install, good grip & cool design
Great quality, durable tape with a super cool look

Best For Price: Alien Pros gel cork Tape

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The alien pros gel cork tape's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. It is used for exercise bike handlebars and works great. It stays well and it’s very pretty. The tape is thick, but not too sticky so it allows you to remove and reapply during installation. It's strong enough to take a bit of tension, which is good if you like to stretch your bar tape when wrapping.

It comes with a good amount of handlebar tape. The tape is a little slicker than some, so if you mostly ride in the drops, you may want to choose something else.

Why We Like This:

Comes with more than enough grip tape and electrical tape
Soft durable straps, easy to install
Very flexible as you can stretch it and it won't break
Easy to install and feels great for a long ride

Best looking natural cork: cinelli gel cork Tape

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It is easy to wrap if you know what you're doing. The grips are pretty shock absorbing. The bar end plugs are throw away, but the self adhesive tape is great, not sticky, and the company provides tape to end the wrap. It will feel better than those leather covers with the irritating laces.

The thickness of the gel makes the bar section easier to grip because the tape is thicker than normal tape. It is heat-proof (more than 60°c), super elastic, it can’t be teared and above all, it’s incredibly shock absorbing and soft.

Why We Like This:

Well designed product with a retro look, and modern performance
Great non slip surface when it's wet
Easy to install, and looks great