Long Term Review: Ergon BT Gravel Handle Bar Tape

 NOTE: Ergon had sent over two rolls of BT Gravel Handlebar Tape at no charge, on two separate occasions, for test/review to Riding Gravel. This is a long-term review of those bar tapes, but I also have just purchased another roll at full-retail to replace one of those two rolls I tested. Ergon has not paid, nor bribed me, for this review. All opinions are my own.

Ergon BT Gravel handlebar tape on test during 2023

Handlebar tape for drop bars is another one of those "touch-point" things that can be highly personal. Not only that, but handlebar tape often gets nicked up, dirty, sweat-soaked, and it is not all that cheap. (If you buy quality tape) So, handlebar tape often can need replacement and that might get a bit wearisome if the tape you are buying is $30.00 - $40.00 - or more - per box. Then there is the comfort level, in-hand feel, wet performance, and how it installs. That's a lot of things to consider when you are looking at "just a roll of bar tape". 

By the way, if you don't put much importance in handlebar tape and you are okay with the cheapest roll on the bike shop rack, or on Amazon, then you probably should quit reading here. But if you are curious as to why I feel this handlebar tape is "all that", then read on.....

The other roll of BT tape I tested from late 2022.

What It Is: BT Gravel tape from Ergon is their thickest tape that they offer at 3.2mm thickness. There is the "AllRoad" tape which is slightly thinner at 2.5mm thickness and the "Road" tape at 2mm thickness. 

The BT Gravel tape is made with an EVA foam backing and an "anti-slip" surface texture. Ergon claims reduced vibrations will result for the rider. 

BT Gravel tape comes in two shades of red, black, a swampy green, and metallic blue looking hues. I have had the "Swamp Green" and "Merlot" colors. The Swamp Green is more of an organic, mossy green color and the Merlot has a brownish-red hue which is a muted color. 

Why I Like It: Ergon took forever to come out with a product for drop bars, but when they did, it was apparent that they had done their homework. For starters, there is the installation. I've wrapped hundreds, if not more than a thousand drop bars in my 30+ years as a bicycle mechanic. Thick tape is really difficult to wrap, typically, and I always was dismayed when a customer chose thick tape for me to install. 

It is typically very difficult to get thicker than 2mm tape to lay right and look good after the job is finished. Not that it cannot be done, but thickness makes the job harder. Ergon tape, for its 3.2mm thickness, lays down so much easier than a lot of companies 2.5mm tape does. (Looking at you, Lizard Skins) The end result is pleasing to the eyes, and Ergon's pattern that they used on the tape's surface actually is there to help guide you in wrapping this tape. All in all, a pretty brilliant tape to work with. 

My new roll in Merlot

But none of that matters if the tape is hard on your hands, slippery when wet/perspired on, or if it wears out prematurely. In my experience, Ergon BT Gravel tape has outstanding qualities in all three of those areas. 

BT Gravel tape does help reduce vibrations to the hands. Coupled with a good, vibration reducing handlebar, and maybe a ShockStop stem, you end up with the happiest hands you are going to get on gravel. 

Secondly, I have had various handlebar tapes that get really slick, slimy, or both when perspired upon. Now, maybe it is just me, because I don't wear gloves, typically, on a ride. However; slippery tape is no good on a gravel ride! Ergon's no-slip texture on their tape really works. I have zero fear of perspiration causing me issues on hot Summer rides. While I have not ridden Ergon tape in the rain, I suspect the outcome would be similar. 

Finally, this tape is very durable and long-lasting. While I wouldn't recommend anyone use tape for more than one season on drop bars, (and I would recommend changing tape more often if you are a heavy sweater), the BT Gravel tape holds up well after months and months of sweaty, dust-filled riding. It retains a good look, and it doesn't wilt at the first biff of your bar end on the ground, or when your bike falls in the garage because you didn't park it just right. 

Final Word: Ergon BT Gravel Handlebar Tape is not inexpensive at about forty bucks a pop. However; given its abilities to reduce vibrations so well and for how durable and long-lasting it is, I am what you might call "sold on it". So much so I went and bought another roll. I will say that I am a bit disappointed in the choices for colors. For instance, there is no bright pink, yellows, or greens. There are no straight-up blues or reds either. Ergon went for a weird palette of colors when they made their choices for the BT Ergon  handlebar tapes. I get that the colors are not great for many applications. (Please, Ergon - make this tape in Hot Pink!) 

But besides colors, I am hard pressed to say anything negative about this product. I recommend it. Definitely a keeper.