Components

This tape is tacky and provides good cushioning, if that's what you are looking for then go for it. After a handful of rides, I don't think this bar tape is for me. I realized that I just don't like tacky tape.

All the other reviews are spot on, install is pain. There is some stretch to the tape, but it's hard to work with. The tape even started to degrade as I was making wrap adjustments. Maybe this tape would be better without a glue strip.

Compared to the Shimano equivalent master link, this is about a third the cost. The manufacturer of this product says it can be re-used 5 times. Shimano says their master link can't be re-used at all. So, if all you care about is cost, then this master link is the way to go. I've used this master link for about 500 miles and I can't tell the difference between it and the Shimano equivalent. Of course even a single failure would negate any cost savings. Only time will tell.

I have the earlier Salsa tape on my Orbea. It is a gel backing and more of a cork texture. The box looked cheap so the tape did not seem to have that "oomph" like other brands. I thought nothing of using the tape and then finally had to when I damaged my bartape. Why did I wait so long! That tape is amazing. Durable, wraps easily, great cushioning and refuses to die. You can wrap and unwrap that thing a thousand times, get grease on it, scrub it, and it is still looking new. Best bartape ever. You only change it because you want to, not that you need to. This newer set is a different texture, stretchy and even easier to wrap. Love the feel and cushioning and it looks durable. Interesting to see how long it lasts, but I am sure it will take a lot of beating of the rain, humidity and UV that we have here in the Caribbean. You really cannot buy a better bartape than the Salsa.

Bought on sale for a climbing century. I was concerned I would not be able to use it with my Shimano 9150 DI2 since it was not recommended. I run a sub-compact (50/34). It worked in all gears but didn't want to risk going big-big gear option. So I set my DI2 to full syncro mode and limited gear options to drop down the front to 34 when gearing down (higher up on the cassette) on the rear cassette from 27. This avoided the big-big gear selection that put a lot of stress on my rear derailer. Worked great!