ESI is a brand probably best known for its mountain bike handlebar grips but also makes RCT bar wrap for drop handlebars utilising the same silicone material. The feel is quite different from most other bar tapes as it allows a lot more stretch, which is a good thing given how short it is. However, its short length can lead to discomfort, holding it back from being one of the best handlebar tapes you can buy.
- ENVE Handlebar Tape review
- 2021 Spank Flare bar tape, gel pad and plug kit review
- The 11 gravel specific products you never knew you needed - bar tape, shoes, helmets and more
ESI RCT wrap original design bar tape - Technical details
ESI grips have become a popular choice for mountain bikers and when the grips first became available, they were unique in that they provided a tacky style of grip as well as increased comfort over a rubber-style grip. Because of the success, many other brands have copied the style and material. As a fan of silicone-style grips myself I had high expectations of what this bar tape would offer.
>Buy ESI RCT Wrap from eBay for £41.47
The bar wrap is 3.5mm thick and 180cm (6ft) long, with bar plugs, plus a short section for behind the hoods and a silicone finishing tape is included. The total weight of all parts and the bar plug is 68g per side (136g total).
The tape is profiled and intended to be fitted in a specific direction with directions to install provided on the back of the packaging. For testing purposes, I installed the tape to a set of 44cm wide gravel handlebars.
I wrapped the bars in the same way I would wrap any other, holding the tension and stretching where needed around the bends to keep a clean finish but I barely had enough tape to get onto the flat top section of the bar. The tape is reusable, with no sticky back or gel that other reusable bar tapes may have. When I attempted the wrap again, I increased the tension and stretched it more throughout, as well as reducing the amount of overlap on each wrap but the tape still finished only just after the end of the bend onto the flat section.
If this were an aero-style road bike it might be acceptable. But for an off-road bike, it is unlikely to suit all riders or all handlebars, as many will be using a wider handlebar. One benefit of the tape material is that it can be reused repeatedly, and if you don't get the wrap right the first time, you can try again and again.
The finishing tape is of the one-time-use silicone variety that differs from the electrical tape-style tape found in most options. The tape is wide and provides a very clean finish - and like the wrap, can be stretched if necessary.
ESI RCT wrap original design bar tape - Performance
When not stretched the tape is 3.5mm thick, which compares to some other more comfort-oriented bar tape options but, because the ESI tape needs to be stretched so much, the actual thickness of the tape on the bar feels much less. It also lacks the plush feel you might expect from others with similar thickness claims. It also loses the soft cushion feel that the flat-bar handlebar ESI grips have and what made them so popular.
The grippy feel of the silicone material remains in all weather, even though comfort is compromised as a result of the silicone's thickness when stretched. The tape can become discoloured with mud or grease but it can also be cleaned and returned to its original colour.
Some caution is needed when cleaning, as, despite the strength when pulled in one direction, it can easily cut and fray if damaged on a side edge. Great care will be needed to avoid snagging the tape on any brambles or sharp edges that could cause it to cut or, in my case, a gritty wall as the tension held in the tape will cause it to rip further.
ESI RCT wrap original design bar tape - Verdict
Although I like the tacky feel of the tape, it does not provide any further comfort benefits over other bar tapes and it is difficult to justify the £39 price tag - which is pricier than practically every other roll of tape on the market, many being half the price not to mention being reusable in application.
The Spank Flare bar tape costs the same amount but has gel pads that make it feel softer and more comfortable than the ESI RCT tape. It is also substantially longer and made to fit much wider handlebars. If you don’t mind spending a similar amount on bar tape the ENVE wrap is the best tape that Pat has ever used, and that is something I would also agree with.
If you like bright handlebar tape and also like the tacky feel of silicone grips you might find the ESI RCT tape works for you, but just make sure you only have narrow bars.
You might also like:
- The best baggy mountain bike shorts for women - tried and tested
- 10 pieces of essential mountain bike clothing for beginners
- Buyer’s guide to summer mountain bike jerseys
Add comment