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review
Bar tape & grips
Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch Fusion bar tape2021 Ciclovation Leather Touch Fusion bar tape - Black and Candy Apple Red.jpg

Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch Fusion bar tape

5
by Matt Page
Sat, Mar 05, 2022 09:45
0
£29.99

VERDICT:

5
10
Plenty of colour options, but lacking grip where it matters and only averagely comfortable
Silicone backing allows re-fitting
Reusable bar end plugs
Slippery coloured section
Average rather than generous length
Weight: 
76g
Contact: 
www.traildistribution.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch Fusion bar tape attempts to emulate the feel of leather, features a silicone backing which allows re-wrapping and looks pretty fancy. It's priced at the higher end of the market, but can't match the comfort or grip levels of others – and the coloured section is the slipperiest of all.

This is a two-colour bar tape available in 14 colours to suit almost every bike. It's 2,000mm in length and 30mm in width, which is a similar length to many other bar tapes, but far from the longest available.

I fitted it to a reasonably narrow (42cm) handlebar with a flat aero top section – which I chose to wrap fully – and the tape was run to the full extension with no spare.

> Buy this online here

It has enough stretch and flex to make installation very simple, and if any section isn't quite perfect the tacky but not sticky backing means you can unwrap and re-do. The finishing tape is sufficiently sticky and long enough to end cleanly too, while the bolt-on bar end cap gives a very clean finish.

The feel of the tape is very different on the coloured section to the main black part. The black section has a reasonable grip, but the coloured section is shiny and feels slick, and worst of all with bare hands. I found myself avoiding the drops as a result, which isn't ideal for descending, where the drops are usually the best position to be.

> 13 of the best cycling drop handlebars – how to buy the perfect bars

The level of grip reduces further in wet weather, with or without gloves, but again only on the shiny coloured sections.

Value

The Ciclovation is 3.0mm in thickness and while the black sections feel comfortable, it can't match the vibration damping of other 3mm bar tape, such as ENVE Handlebar Tape or the Repente Tacky Light 3.0 (we reviewed the 2mm version last year).

To be fair the ENVE tape is now £40, but the 3mm Repente is €29.90 (around £25 at the time of writing). Meanwhile, Prime Comfort Handlebar Tape is also 3mm, good enough to score 9/10 and only £19.99.

There are also other multi-coloured bar tapes available for less, such as the Fabric Hex Duo bar tape at £26.99.

Overall

This tape is easy to apply, can be finished neatly and looks great, but it struggles to compete for grip, comfort and price.

Verdict

Plenty of colour options, but lacking grip where it matters and only averagely comfortable

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch Fusion bar tape

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Ciclovation doesn't give an overview, but UK distributor Trail Distribution says: "Uniquely formulated synthetic leather is anti-slip with high tensile strength for long-term performance, uniquely design in graduated color fades to add even more style and personalization to your bike."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ciclovation lists:

Level: Advanced

Material: Leather Touch, PU with Gel padded

Length : 2000 mm

Width : 30 mm

Thickness : 3 mm

Plug : VORTEX, Lock-in

Finish Tape : Included

Quantity : 1 Pair

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
5/10

The shiny coloured section is noticeably slick and not grippy.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

It's reusable too, thanks to the silicone backing and plugs.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

Reasonable weight for 3mm thickness.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
6/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The slick feel of the coloured section is so bad that I purposely avoided holding onto it. The black section was far better, although not as soft or comfortable as some other 3mm bar tapes.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Nice to wrap with plenty of stretch, and the silicone backing that allows adjustment and retaping if needed.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not the longest, grippiest or most comfortable for the thickness.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's not the most expensive, but it's up there at the premium end (for price if not performance).

Did you enjoy using the product? No

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Ciclovation Leather Touch Fusion bar tape is priced towards the top of the market, but lacks grip and doesn't deliver the performance to justify it.

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 168  Weight: 62

I usually ride:   My best bike is: Cannondale SystemSix

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, cyclo cross, sportives, mtb, Lots of gravel style riding

Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch Fusion bar tape 2022
Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch Fusion bar tape
Ciclovation 2022
Ciclovation
Matt Page

Matt is an endurance nut who loves big rides and big events. He's a former full-time racer and 24hr event specialist, but now is also happy riding off-road on gravel bikes or XC mountain bikes and exploring the mountains and hills of Mid Wales.

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