{"id":34,"date":"2021-10-08T11:58:08","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T09:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=649276"},"modified":"2021-10-12T17:35:07","modified_gmt":"2021-10-12T15:35:07","slug":"luxurious-natural-lyocell-bar-tape-from-grepp-a-solid-tool-free-rack-and-an-oh-so-expensive-saddle-from-specialized","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/luxurious-natural-lyocell-bar-tape-from-grepp-a-solid-tool-free-rack-and-an-oh-so-expensive-saddle-from-specialized\/","title":{"rendered":"Luxurious natural Lyocell bar tape from Grepp, a solid tool-free rack and an oh-so-expensive saddle from Specialized"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 08 October 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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What a week it\u2019s been for new bike tech!<\/p>\n

We kicked things off on Monday with the release of Continental\u2019s new GP5000 S TR tyre<\/a>, which is claimed to be 20 per cent faster and a not-insignificant 50g lighter than the already formidable GP5000.<\/p>\n

The tyre was absolutely everywhere at both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s editions of Paris-Roubaix<\/a>, though that wasn\u2019t quite enough to light up the tech tummy of our resident nerd, Simon von Bromley, who argued that tech at the Hell of the North has become boring<\/a> in recent years.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, we saw the release of Santa Cruz\u2019s updated Chameleon hardtail<\/a> and RockShox\u2019s Flight Attendant wireless suspension control system<\/a>. The former is a pretty extraordinary bit of kit and is absolutely worth reading about, even if you\u2019re not a mountain biker.<\/p>\n

We then rounded out Thursday with two key bike launches, starting with the Trek Top Fuel<\/a> \u2013 which is now a dedicated downcountry slayer \u2013 and the all-new Specialized Crux<\/a>, which is claimed to be the world\u2019s lightest gravel bike.<\/p>\n

If that isn\u2019t quite enough for you, sit back and take a deep dive into the best new kit to land at BikeRadar HQ in this week\u2019s edition of First Look Friday.<\/p>\n

Grepp.cc woven Lyocell handlebar tape<\/h2>\n
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Could this be the solution to my bar tape woes?<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Grepp is an interesting new handlebar tape<\/a> made from Tencel, which is a natural cellulose fibre derived from trees.<\/p>\n

In the hand, it feels like a super-soft cotton canvas and is very pliable.<\/p>\n

The outside face of the tape is woven to include a textured surface that provides some additional grip.<\/p>\n

\""Grepp.cc\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The tape has rubber threads woven into it to stop the tape from slipping.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Instead of using an adhesive strip, the back of the tape is woven with 20 natural rubber threads distributed across its full width to stop it slipping.<\/p>\n

The lack of an adhesive means it should be possible to unwrap the tape and fit it to another set of bars. This is particularly useful if you\u2019re keen to experiment with narrower (or wider!) handlebars.<\/p>\n

\""Grepp.cc\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The tape is very soft to the touch.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Should the time come to dispose of the tape, it\u2019s made from fully natural materials, so it should eventually break down in a commercial decomposer.<\/p>\n

The tape has no stretch whatsoever, which should make it possible to get a super-tight wrap.<\/p>\n

Though Grepp doesn\u2019t specifically suggest this, I\u2019ve found soaking cotton handlebar tape prior to wrapping it gives it a bit more elasticity and helps iron out any wrinkles. I suspect a similar trick could be employed here.<\/p>\n

The tape also includes a neat reusable expanding bar end plug that wedges into the handlebar when the central section is pressed in.<\/p>\n

At 270 SEK (approximately \u20ac26 \/ \u00a322), the tape isn\u2019t even that expensive. Given it\u2019s almost infinitely reusable, it also strikes me as great value for money when compared to other premium bar tapes.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been experimenting with cotton bar tape for the last few months and my findings have been mixed.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard-wearing, feels great in hot or sweaty conditions and looks cool, but oh my goodness \u2013 it\u2019s so unbelievably uncomfortable. The tape offers literally zero padding and, on long rides, that can get pretty darn unpleasant.<\/p>\n

Though it\u2019s never going to be as comfortable as a proper gel-backed tape, I reckon Grepp could be just what I\u2019m after and I can\u2019t wait to fit it to one of my bikes.<\/p>\n