The best tape, bar none.

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Sore, numb hands are a common complaint from riders on our challenges – and there are a number of things that can help, including regular changes of position for your hands on the bars and the purchase of snug fitting gel padded gloves.

However, often overlooked is what bar tape you use - and for longer, endurance rides, our favourite without a shadow of a doubt is the Lizard Skins DSP bar tape.

The DPS stands for DuraSoft Polymer and it’s this spongy material that makes the tape so grippy, comfortable and shock absorbent. Despite this, it still only weighs 56g including plugs (2.5mm thickness).

In our experience this tape is also easy to fit and durable – and there are a number of different thicknesses and colours to choose from.

The one drawback is it’s jaw-dropping price of £25 per set. But there are offers out there, and if you want to minimise hand discomfort on your next ride we wouldn’t recommend anything else.