Tough, hot, sweaty climbs...rip your handlebars off sprints...or even general long rides can work against handlebar tape and cause it to loosen at the bar ends. I got tired of having to have the perfect wrap to guard against this issue and gave these a try. Buy once and you're done! Wow, never have to worry about it again! I'm very pleased with these bar ends!
Maybe it's my taping technique, but I often end up with bar-end plugs that don't stay in too well. And I often carry my bike horizontally in the back of the car, so I was occasionally pulling the plugs out. Got these a month or so ago. Easy to install. Seems quite secure. And they look pretty good. Got another pair for another bike. Considered getting some of the custom-etched versions, but could not think of any universally witty saying I wanted on my bar-ends!
I've always just used the bar ends included with bar tape (I use Lizard Skins DSP) but I'm always fiddling with them and have even lost a few. I decided to try locking bar ends and went with Supacaz because of the cool graphics and finish options. They lock on tight and stay put, and they look great without adding unnecessary weight to the bike. I now have them on all my bikes. Highly recommend.
I got these bar plugs in purple, to add a little flair to a black Surly commuter bike. I was not disappointed. The color looks fine, sure, but I was also impressed at how easily the bar plugs installed and how securely they stay in place. Finally, we have a better solution than the old school method of twisting the plug around and around just the right amount to make it snug, but before the spring fails. These are soooo much better, they seat into the bar ends in seconds, feel really solid, and lock into place. Sounds silly, but I'm actually surprised at how I impressed I was by a stupid pair of bar plugs. Anyway, I bought two more pairs for other bikes and haven't looked back!
I have lost so many standard bar ends over the years that I finally took the time to do a little research to find these bar ends that DO NOT fall out. They perform exactly as you would hope and install more easily than regular bar ends.
Standard usage...hold tape on handle bars. Love the variety of colors!! Stock push type bar plug ends would keep getting loose and I would have to push them back in or they would disappear...kind of like my socks in the dryer!! The bar end plugs install and tighten easily. Out of habit, I keep trying to push them in at stop lights (old dog...new tricks!!) then I realize they are all ready all the way in and tight!! Snug as a bug in a rug (OK, even I'm not that old)!!
First off, let me tell you that I'm a huge Supacaz fan. I have the purple bar tape, the cap and now the oil slick plugs. My bicycle is a 2018 Specialized Ruby in black and what Specialized calls Chameleon (a color that shifts from blue to purple). Hints of Supacaz oil slick stuff here and there, really make my bicycle look super sharp! If you're a fan of Chameleon or just iridescence, I totally recommend these bar plugs! They will give your bicycle a sharp look that will make you want to ride it even more!
I got tired of the bar plugs that come with the tape. They don't always fit tight, and heaven forbid if you need to do a rewrap of the tape. I like them because they can be secured and yet easily removed with a few turns of a hex wrench. The anodized colors add some nice bling to my bike. I'm very happy to have made the purchase.
