Published:
This Japanese, keirin-approved leather bar tape will add a touch of class to any classic tourer or hip fixer.
It’s perforated, unbranded and wears in nicely after a couple of months of use, especially once the accompanying blood, sweat and tears have soaked in too.
The leather is grippy and relatively thin, ensuring good control of the handlebars. The downside to this is that unlike synthetic wraps, Toshi tape doesn’t offer any bump absorption.
You’re probably best wrapping it over some gel pads for long distance riding. It’s a little cheaper than Brooks’ version, and there’s a black finish for 50p less.
Authors
Simon Withers is a freelance cycling writer and bike tester. He has been cycling for as long as he can remember, and more seriously since his time at university in the 1980s. Simon has ridden and raced almost every type of bike over the years and has toured extensively in Asia and Australasia, including riding solo 2,900km from Cairns to Melbourne. He’s been testing bikes and working for BikeRadar and Cycling Plus in various capacities for two decades. Simon has ridden and reviewed countless bikes and products, and specialises in affordable road bikes, gravel bikes and cycling kit, helping riders understand what’s really worth their hard-earned money.
