Lizard Skins are a US company which start back in 1993. The company specialises in making products for a range of sports, including baseball, hockey and lacrosse. But it's probably best known for producing a range of cycling accessories and bike protection. The DSP range of bar tape has been a consumer favorite for some time. So we thought we'd check out the Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm bar tape on our summer bike.

The Technology

In the Lizard Skins DSP bar tape - DSP stands for Durasoft Polymer. The 2.5mm thick bar tape has a soft, spongy underside. This has a a thin adhesive strip to stick to the handlebars and hold in place when wrapping. The outer layer of the bar tape has a padded, rubberised surface. The surface has a tacky finish to it to improve grip. The Lizard Skins DSP bar tape is an 'All Weather' handlebar tape, making it durable and hard-wearing.The bar tape weighs just 56 grams per set - including the bar plugs. The bar plugs themselves are plastic and finished with the Lizard Skins logo on a white background.

In Use

The Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm bar tape has been available for some time now. Its popular with both cycling enthusiasts and professional teams - being the official bar tape of Movistar Team. In terms of its quality though, the Lizard Skins DSP bar tape doesn't disappoint. The wrapping process was made a little easier by the tape's durability. You can pull the tape firmly without stretching it or feeling like it may split. The thin adhesive strip is enough to hold the bar tape securely in place. But it's forgiving enough to unwind and correct the positioning.Lizard Skins DSP bar tape comes in 3 thickness options - 1.8mm, 2.5mm and 3.2mm. The 2.5mm that we have been testing is nicely padded and offers excellent comfort. It does a really good job of smoothing out the bumps in the road without feeling too thick. The surface has a tacky feel about it which improves grip. This is useful in wet conditions, or if you tend to ride without wearing mitts.

Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape Review Conclusion

If I had to summarise the Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape in three words, I'd say "believe the hype!" From a pricing point in the world of handlebar tape - this bar tape is not cheap. The DSP has a list price of £32 - £40.00. This could be seen as a tough pill to swallow - given that handlebar tape is one of the most commonly changed parts of the bike. However, its quality if very apparent and it looks great on the bike. It ticks all the boxes in terms of comfort vs durability vs performance. The 2.5mm tape is available in 21 colour option, so colour coordinating shouldn't be an issue.

https://youtu.be/cJO7cT-_Du0

Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm Bar Tape

The Technology

In Use

Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape Review Conclusion

SKS S-Board Front Mudguard