There was a thicker version of Benotto tape, thicker than the more familiar thin Benotto and perforated. It may look cushioned because many cushioned tapes were perforated. It does perhaps cushion the hands a bit because it is thicker.
I don't like thicker tapes, including cork tapes, because they can creep or have the edges roll up easier than thin tapes. I quit using cork tape several years ago and now use only relatively thin plastic tapes. Thin Benotto is good, but my favorite is Hunt-Wilde, that was once found on most Schwinns and sold by Schwinn dealers. I especially like the Hunt-Wilde version that is translucent. Nothing looks as good on an all-chrome Paramount as translucent red Hunt-Wilde.
Thin plastic tapes usually last longer than any other. They can be stretched tight enough that they will not creep or roll up, and they are easily cleaned, unlike cloth tape. Cloth tape was fine for Eddy and the boys, who had mechanics to change their tape every day, but it gets dirty pretty quickly, especially in light colors. I've found that I did not really need the padding of cork tape. Nearly all of us use gloves when riding, and one can always buy gloves with more padding if desired.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA
> From: Matthew 'Devotion' Bowne <devotion_finesse@hotmail.com>
\r?\n> Subject: Re: [CR] Vintage Handlebar Tape
\r?\n> To: ajft1942@yahoo.com, "CR discussion list" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
\r?\n> Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 9:35 AM
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Sounds to me like Bike Ribbon. Formerly made by
\r?\n> Ambrosio, currently it's own brand. It come is a
\r?\n> variety of colors, is easy to stretch/apply, feels nice to
\r?\n> the touch (subjective), is easy to clean and easy to come
\r?\n> by. I think it looks great on late 70's-late 80's
\r?\n> bikes...but might be a bit "bulky" on earlier bikes.
\r?\n> It's "neater" than cork tape, in my opinion, and has is less
\r?\n> dull looking.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Matthew Bowne
\r?\n> Brooklyn, New York
\r?\n>
\r?\n> > Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:52:53 -0800
\r?\n> > From: ajft1942@yahoo.com
\r?\n> > To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
\r?\n> > Subject: [CR] Vintage Handlebar Tape
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > All,
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > I frequently see pictures of "on topic" bikes on ebay
\r?\n> that are using a type of handlebar tape that appears to be
\r?\n> plastic (it looks shiny in the pictures), but also looks to
\r?\n> be cushioned, and is perforated. Can anyone advise what
\r?\n> brand this is, and more importantly, is it still available?
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > Many thanks
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > Tony Taylor
\r?\n> > Manchester NH