Cinelli Gel Cork Tape

Cushy classic tape.

Comfortable, fairly easy to wrap. It has Italian fortissimo and Italian espresso imbued into its soul. This means it will make you more brash, daring and make you speak in a passionate staccato that belies your cycling guile.

Pros: Comfortable, aesthetically pleasing.

Cons: The tape for the ends sucks like every other tape I've tried.


Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 03, 2013
Reviewed by: Hicham K.

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Cinelli Cork

Great classic look, stands up well to everyday commuting. Nice and stretchy and easy to install.

Pros: Long lasting, easy to install.

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 30, 2012
Reviewed by: Daniel G., California

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This tape is the absolute best. I have tried fancy tape (Lizard Skins, etc.) and none of them have held a candle to this tape. It lasts a whole season (one of the fancies didn't make it a month), is easy to wrap, looks good, and is comfortable.

Pros: Priced well, performs well

Cons: There are none!

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: August 23, 2012
Reviewed by: Andre D., Louisiana

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Best tape I've used really

Great tape that seems easier to wrap than others I've used, although honestly I can't say I've used a ton. I often go for long rides and forget gloves and haven't had any issues besides minor ones. The tape it comes with never seems to stay well, so I use other black tape to seal the end.

Pros: Good Price. Easy to wrap.

Cons: The 'sealing' tape never seems to hold.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 26, 2012
Reviewed by: Yousif M., New Hampshire

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Very comfortable

I wrapped this tape over a set of Fizik gel pads, and I am very pleased. After a 40 mile ride, my hands and wrists had no pain (something that previously occurred on rides as short as 20 miles).

I used regular electric tape instead of the provided tape strips, as I did not want the logos on my bar. I have no idea if the provided tape is good or not.

Pros: Very comfortable.
Long enough to wrap over gel pads.

Cons: none.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 20, 2012
Reviewed by: Anon., Central PA

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Perfect tape. Easy to install and feels great.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 08, 2012
Reviewed by: Daniel R., Washington

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Its confortable, good grip and easy to clean.
good price and durability. be careful with clear colors, they are more dirty and hard to mantain clean.

Pros: looks pretty, is confortable and had a good grip

Cons: no

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 21, 2011
Reviewed by: Mario C., California

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Favorite tape

This is a definite step up in comfort from the regular Cinelli Cork tape.

Pros: Really Comfortable. Seems stronger than regular cork.

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 20, 2011
Reviewed by: Michael R., Utah

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Much better than the non-gel Cinelli cork tape, and more durable to boot. Wraps with minimal stretch and comes with more than enough to tape fully wrap a drop bar without shifters or brake hoods on it. The same bar has impacted the ground a few times and the tape has yet to rip, in addition to surviving a couple thousand miles of use. I'd highly recommend this tape to anyone looking for a durable, comfy wrap on their bars.

Pros: Comfortable, good value, durable.

Cons: None.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 15, 2011
Reviewed by: Wade S., Washington

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Classic look and feel.

Cinelli has some quality bar tapes. But this "Natural Cork" colored gel tape has been my favorite. Cuts down on vibration more than standard cork, but keeps that classy look! Pairs up well with a leather saddle (or any brown/tan material).

Pros: Classy as heck, emulates the look and feel of cork pretty well, dampens road vibrations

Cons: A little expensive

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 27, 2011
Reviewed by: Scott W., Eugene, OR

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grippy and comfy

I normally use track grips. This my first time purchasing bar tape. I was not disappointed, and these feel grippy and comfy.

Pros: Grip and comfort

Cons: Wish it came with the silver bar plugs

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 12, 2011
Reviewed by: Kyle W., Oregon

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classic cinelli cork + gel. the gel adds much needed comfort to the basic cork tape. completely worth the extra couple bucks. a few too many logos embossed all over it and could use some underside tape. other than that i'm happy with my purchase.

Pros: gel padding for a good price

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 08, 2011
Reviewed by: Patrick, Oregon

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Really nice tape. It has the classic look of cork with the softness of gel tape. It is a great look for an older bike or a classy commuter. Cork tape doesn't show dirt like other colors do. I do wish the cinelli logo wasn't littered all over it so that it had a cleaner look.

Pros: Comfort
Doesn't show dirt

Cons: Cinelli logo is all over it

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 01, 2011
Reviewed by: Cripes, North Carolina

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Best bar tape I have used, very cushioned, grippy feel and last at least a full season (unless its white) with heavy miles.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 19, 2011
Reviewed by: David B., Oregon

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excellent, thick bar tape

double thick bar tape, no stickiness on back - only slightly tacky

Pros: double thick, very comfy. lots of good colors

Cons: not sticky on back (if that is your thing)

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 09, 2011
Reviewed by: Adrian F.

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Super plush. Feels like me hands are on pillows. My brother also likes it very much.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 01, 2011
Reviewed by: Josh B., California

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Used to be my favorite

This is great tape that I've used for years. But recently I bought a specialized saddle that came with Specialized S-Wrap cork tape that I like even better. Can I give these 4.5?

Pros: great vibration damping

Cons: none

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 06, 2011
Reviewed by: Robert L., California

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The only tape I use!

Excellent cushioning and goes on easily.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 01, 2011
Reviewed by: Rob, Kentucky

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I always go back to Cinelli cork tape. The gel tape is great for long rides and touring. Can't the classic look, keeps your hands happy.

Pros: comfort. wraps easily and is dependable.

Cons: If you have small hands and large bars, the added thickness might be an issue.

I wish they would include a self-fusing tape for finishing. Adhesive tapes are prone to unravelling and goopy-ness. Go to rivbike to see how to finish tape with twine.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: December 31, 2010
Reviewed by: John A.

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I love this cork gel tape. It has just the right feel and look. Every bike I own has this tape. The natural cork looks fantastic on a vintage bike.

Pros: grippy, soft, long lasting

Cons: none

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: December 10, 2010
Reviewed by: Curtis c.

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Long last and comfy cork tape. That is all there is to say. Better than most cork tapes I have bought which rip really easily, especially when pulling tight to wrap bars. Seems to hold up to adverse conditions and moisture quite well!

Pros: great vibration damping when not wrapped too tightly, push, durable

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 01, 2010
Reviewed by: Thomas L., Ontario

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Can't go wrong with Cinelli tape. Plenty in the roll to do the bars. Extra cushioning of gel tape is nice on longer rides. Caps could be a little stronger.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 24, 2010
Reviewed by: Stephen S.

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Great comfort, great value every time from Cinelli

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 18, 2010
Reviewed by: Vince A., Missouri

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Best option I could find that was similar looking to Brooks leather bar tape, but at a more affordable price. This tape has a lot of cushion, much more than any other bar tape I have ever used.

Pros: lots of cushion if that's what you want

Cons: none

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: Colin K., Virginia

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Cushy stuff!

Flexible and cushy, this tape is very comfortable to the touch. It works well in the rain too. Wrap it tight for better feel, looser for more comfort.

Pros: Cushy tape!

Cons: No adhesive backing means the tape can move around if it's wrapped to loosely. Lacks the responsiveness of the thin stuff (e.g. fizik).

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: Michael T., Minnesota

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