AceFingerboardingTape Review by Xi Jin
Tape packagingAbout me and this tapeI have been fingerboarding for 11 years, finally picking up a sponsorship from Close Up in the last year. I have been involved with the online scene on FFI, FBHQ and YouTube; Currently, I am a moderator on FBHQ. I have written fingerboard product reviews before as I am genuinely interested in fingerboard products and want to share the information. This is my 16th review and I hope the reader may see this as an unbiased review, despite my sponsorship.
As for experience with tapes, I have had at least 16 other different types of smooth fingerboard tape and have tried many more.
This tape has been set up on a 29mm Pure OM deck with China screws, baseplates & washers and Close Up hangers, bushings and bearing wheels. All of the components were new when I set it up and I have been using this tape and whole board for just over a month. This is a decent amount of time to gain enough insight to write a fair review.
I pretty much just copy and paste this same format for all my reviews to save hassle. I personally prefer text-based reviews as opposed to video reviews as the reader can choose to read it at their own pace instead of being forced to follow the speed of the reviewer and who can often trail-off topic. I like to write my reviews detailed with enough information for potential buyers to know everything about the product before purchasing.
Apologies for my low quality pictures, I intend to invest in better optical equipment in the future.
Company ProfileAceFingerboarding is a new company that has been operating for a few months. It is owned by Bart Dewulf and based in Bruges/Brugge, Belgium. Initially, the tape will just be offered on eBay and the webshop. There are plans to have worldwide distributors in the future. He has also expressed an interest to have a team.
To find out more information, you may check out a mini-interview with the owner, Bart.
Mini interview:
http://fingerboardnetwork.com/siht/2012/07/03/mini-interview-with-acefingerboarding/Website:
http://www.acefingerboarding.com/Product OverviewThis is currently the only product AceFingerboarding is offering. The package contains only tape and each pack includes 5 sheets of uncut tape. The packaging is just a plastic zip lock bag with a stapled card, the standard most fingerboard products use.
Approximate dimensionsTape width: 39mm
Tape length: 110mm
Tape thickness: 1mm
Transaction DetailsPrice: Usually €5
Shipping cost: Usually €1.50
Time to arrive: ~1 month from Belgium to China
I cannot really comment on a purchase of the product since I acquired it for free to do this review. I have put the standard prices here for information. It may have taken a long time to get to me but it's usually a few days shipping if it's within Europe.
Tape appliedTape first impressions/descriptionsNow, I'm poop at describing things but I'll try my best here. The AceFingerboarding tape is a porous type of tape (has a lot of holes). I would generally say it has larger pores than Riptape although Riptape is very inconsistent when it comes to having a standard. It feels just a little bit softer than Riptape too. I did say it was approximately 1mm thick but it feels actually thinner than all other 1mm tapes I've used.
As it is quite thin, it was very easy to cut. You also get a very clean cut.
With the large size of each sheet, it's easy to fit almost any deck.
Comparisons with Riptape classicRiptape on top, AceFingerboarding tape (thinner) on bottomTape performanceThe tape was very quick to wear into. Only a few days of fingerboarding (for a main setup) will break it into optimum form. I've been using this tape for over a month and I can tell it's a tape that will last a long time. I've experienced tapes with short lives (China tape, NoCo Foamy J) but this AceFingerboarding tape has no noticeable wear after over a month of use as a main setup. It has even survived being in my bag during the big flood in Beijing a couple of weeks ago with no damage. There will be a little bit of residue that seaps out over the side but that's common with many tapes such as Riptape. A key difference about this tape is that the thickness gives you greater feel of the deck and more control of the board, although this difference is not that huge; 1mm tapes are still good. By contrast to China tape, it is also not so thin that it wears out really easily.
OverallOverall, this tape is an excellent tape. If you like tape with medium grip, porous, thin with good longevity then I'd highly recommend this tape. It's comparable to Riptape for many reasons and also has its differences. The price is quite good as it's a long lasting tape, you get 5 sheets and the dimensions mean they will fit even ridiculously fat decks.
I must mention that this review is just what I think about the tape. Reading/watching multiple reviews by different people is definitely recommended. Here's a great review from thefingerboarder.com -
http://thefingerboarder.com/ace-grip-tape/#more-1040Where to purchaseWell, you should be able to buy these on the website. I don't see any listings now but the packs have also been sold on eBay.
Closing commentsYou may use this review and pictures, in part or in full, as long as you credit it to me and get permission from me.
If you have read this review and it was useful, please reply! Review threads don't always get a lot of replies, even if they are read. If you didn't like this review, please tell me why so I can improve! I am available to review other products should you have any products you want reviewing. Otherwise, I will continue to review whatever that takes my fancy.
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Next review - Pure OM 29mm deck