Grip tape

The same coarse adhesive tape used on skateboards. Applied to EUC pedals (replacing or supplementing stock grip) and sometimes to the shell where your legs contact the wheel.

Why use it

Stock pedal grip wears out. Wet conditions reduce traction. Fresh grip tape is cheap insurance against foot slip. On the shell, it gives your legs a contact surface with more friction than smooth plastic.

Grip tape vs spiked pedals

Grip tape is the budget option. It works, it wears out, you replace it. Spiked pedals are the permanent upgrade - metal pins that don’t degrade. For riders who don’t want to commit to aftermarket pedals, grip tape is the minimum viable improvement.

555 take

If your stock pedals feel slippery, grip tape is a 10-minute fix that costs almost nothing. It’s not as good as spiked pedals, but it’s infinitely better than the worn-smooth rubber that came with your wheel.