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Review: Camp and Go Slow’s Western Rattler Bar Tape is a Gift to Mankind

Go Slow Western Rattler review new roll(Photo/Ron Frazelle)
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You read that headline right. The Western Rattler Bar Tape by Camp and Go Slow… Is. The. Best. Bar. Tape. Ever.* And if I had my way, that would be the end of the review. But I should probably tell you more about this wonder tape, and make my case for it being the best tape out there. I just recently gave the tape an Editor’s Choice award for 2023 and we even added it to our list of the best handlebar tapes.

Let’s go over a little history about Camp and Go Slow to begin our journey to the pot o’ gold that is the Western Rattler Bar tape.

Camp and Go Slow

Go Slow Western Rattler review stickers
(Photo/Ron Frazelle)

Camp and Go Slow was started by two people on different ends of the US, Jarrod Bunk on the East Coast, and Casey Clark on the West Coast. It is now solely owned and operated by Casey. Originally they started with just stickers that were a wonderful bite on the Campagnolo logo.

The Camp and Go Slow take on the Campy logo sends an alternative message that is a juxtaposition of what the legendary Italian brand has historically meant in the cycling world. The message could be that the components that you use on your bicycle, shouldn’t define you as a cyclist. Or, at the very least, we should all try to “camp and go slow” occasionally.

When you look through the products that are offered on their site, you’ll see stuff that embodies the Camp and Go Slow ethos, like camp mugs, handlebar bags, a very handsome wool Henley, as well as patches, stickers, pins, and soft goods.

Western Rattler Bar Tape

Go Slow Western Rattler review Pacific

Why do I think this tape is amazing? Is it because it’s the cheapest tape out there? No. Does it come with extra goodies? Well, yes and no. Is it super handsome? You betcha. But, let’s go ahead and dive in, and I’ll tell ya why.

Not the Cheapest, But Worth Every Penny

The Western Rattler bar tape is made in Taiwan and retails for $44. That price gets you two super long, 3300mm rolls. Those rolls come packaged in a handmade ripstop bag that’s made in Pennsylvania. Plus, you’re supporting a small business, so you can concentrate on making your bike look good and not wrestling with your conscience.

No Extra Stuff, But Do We Need Extras?

When you buy the tape, there is no finishing tape or bar end plugs included. But the USA-made bag that the tape comes in is of nice quality and can be used for many different things. Plus, who needs cheap finishing tape or cheap plastic bar end plugs? No one, that’s who. I would recommend using electrical tape and getting some of the Cardiff Silicone Rubber Handlebar Plugs to finish the job.

Go Slow Western Rattler review Masi Ambass

Handsome, Put a Value on That

The way I see it, most people like aesthetically pleasing things. I know I do. But, let’s touch on bicycles specifically. When my bike looks good, I feel good riding it. I think we all do. So, when I first saw this tape back in 2020, I wanted it for my Masi Randonneur as I thought it would look amazing. And it did. The Western Rattler Tape has “upped” the aesthetic game on every bike it’s been on… that’s worth something.

Specs:

  • Includes 2x 3300mm rolls
  • 28mm width
  • 61g per roll
  • Made from durable nylon blend
  • 1.5mm foam backing
  • Available in Western (brown) or Eastern (green) Rattler colors
  • Bartape made in Taiwan
  • Bag made in Pennsylvania

This Tape Could, Quite Possibly Last Forever

Go Slow Western Rattler review first time tape rolls
My first roll of Western Rattler…

All of the above reasons to buy this tape are valid. But the real highlight of owning this bar tape is that it is comfortable, washable, and reusable. This means that it will, more than likely, last longer than any other tape you’ve had.

Go Slow Western Rattler review first wrap
My first bar wrap with the Western Rattler

When I saw the tape on the internet, I honestly just bought it because I thought the colors on the bar would “pop” on the bike, accentuating the bike’s honey-colored leather saddle. After I received the tape and installed it, I had no idea that it would wear as long as it did.

Go Slow Western Rattler review movin

Extra Tape and Keepin’ it Clean

When I first wrapped my bars, I rode the tape glove-free for the initial several hundred miles. I noticed that it was getting dark at the curve of the bars behind the hoods… most likely from my hand sweat and grime. I was pleased to find that it washed right off with simple soap and water when washing my bike.

Go Slow Western Rattler review Redshift bars

I’ve unwrapped that first roll of Western Rattler tape many times. For example, to swap brake/shift levers a few times as well as a few bar swaps. It unwraps clean because it uses minimal adhesive, so it releases from the bar without tearing chunks of the tape’s backing.

Camp and Go Slow Western Rattler review on the gus chainstay
Western Rattler on Gus’s chainstay

The 3300mm length of the tape is a lot, I’ve wrapped a lit of different width bars up to 51cm, even some with really wide flats, and have always had extra tape. Just recently I used some of the extra to wrap the drive side chainstay on my Gus Boots Willsen, and it looks fantastic.

Go Slow Western Rattler review on the masi

I find it holds its form because it’s not super stretchy, resulting in bar tape that can easily be reinstalled and reused. The “woven” texture feels great in the hands and extra grippy with gloves on. I find myself riding the Western Rattler mostly gloved nowadays.

In Closing

Go Slow Western Rattler review hero
The latest Western Rattler wrap on the new Tumbleweed Big Dipper Review bars.

The Camp and Go Slow Western Rattler Bar tape is unique, as I haven’t seen anything out there that’s comparable. This tape, by far, is one of my favorite pieces of bike gear, ever. It needs zero attention once it’s installed, and looks amazing (on just about any bicycle). It supports a small business. It’s a high-quality product that seems to have a very, very long life span.

Would I recommend this bar tape to someone? You bet, without hesitation.

Do yourself a favor and go the the Camp and Go Slow website, and pick some up. Plus, check out all of the cool gear they offer… most of it would make for great stocking stuffers.

CampAndGoSlow.com

*According to Ron’s Opinion

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12 Comments
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Blacksmith Cycle
11 months ago

Hey Ron!
What would you say for those of us who ride sans gloves? Is there enough tackiness once your hands get sweaty?
All the best and happy new year!
– Mike

Chris
Chris
11 months ago

Being from western NC (now in TX) I’m more inclined towards the Eastern Rattler version of the tape. In fact, I was fortunate enough to obtain one of the Eastern Rattler Henley’s. That being said, I think the Western Rattler color scheme would look great on my Fool’s Gold Karate Monkey. Could I use the WR tape and still wear my ER Henley or would that result in a fashion faux pas?

Grillis
Grillis
11 months ago

Nice bag or not, it’s an unnecessary added cost and just another “thing”. I like the look of the tape though.

WhateverBikes
11 months ago

I started reading this review because I thought ‘hey, these are similar to Grepp’s bar tape’, and I was curious why this tape apparently was better.
Anyway, this tape seems the same as Grepp’s, so I guess Ron should test those too to see if this Campandgoslow tape really is the best.

Oliver
Oliver
11 months ago

Just buy it from the OEM BTP for half the price. The brand in this review just took it out of a catalogue and had nothing to do with its design or development.

nooner
nooner
11 months ago
Reply to  Oliver

Nice catch Oliver. I think it’s racist against people who are trying to ride fast.

K.M.
K.M.
11 months ago
Reply to  Oliver

Don’t understand why people are liking your complete BS comment – BTP does not offer the design, the lenght is different (and perhaps the thickness), BTP price is not even close to half and the accessories are completely different, with e.g. a U.S. made bag for this model, so price comparison is not 1:1 and there’s definitely own design. And how do you know that BTP is not just taking its’ selection from some catalogue?

Oliver
Oliver
11 months ago
Reply to  K.M.

All of what you write here is BS. And how do I know that BTP is not just making its selection from some catalogue? Because they design and make this tape and all the others they sell. They’re the largest high quality bar tape manufacturer in the world.

K.M.
K.M.
11 months ago
Reply to  Oliver

You just keep proving my point.

Grillis
Grillis
11 months ago
Reply to  K.M.

Accessories LOL! Oh, do you mean bar plugs or finishing tape like you get with most bar tape? No, you get overpriced packaging in the guise of a stupid bag.

K.M.
K.M.
11 months ago
Reply to  Grillis

What are you ranting? My point was that the product is not just ripped from somebody’s catalogue like Oliver here tries to claim. The bag is one tell. Whether or not you or anybody else thinks it’s stupid is irrelevant.

Jungle
Jungle
8 months ago

I want to know how you were able to wrap this tape on the Redshift Kitchen Sink bar without it gapping. I gave up after an hour of messing with it.

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