Road Cycling - Double Wrapping Handlebars

I was just at http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=6786&sidebar=569&category=century_challenge, an article titled, "A checklist of gear you won't want to forget on that 100-miler". Under the heading "Cycling Gloves" the writer suggests, "Another hint for hand comfort: Double-wrap your bars with cork handlebar tape to ease the “road noise.” Not having heard of this before (double wrapping), I wondered if the resident "experts" here ( and, believe me, I'm not being sarcastic in that I have learned a lot reading these forums) have any experience with or any views/input on this.

Thanks guys.

Originally posted by OtheloTheMoor
I wondered if the resident "experts" here ( and, believe me, I'm not being sarcastic in that I have learned a lot reading these forums) have any experience with or any views/input on this.


Is that like "Resident Evil"? :D

I'm no expert (resident or otherwise) but I've heard of it too. I however don't know of anyone ever actually doing it... at least yet. I too am interested in anyone's experience with double-wrapping. I have talked to people who have used thicker tape and I know Specialized has some gel-tape... possibly other bartape manufacturers have them too.

A double wrap of cork tape really helps. I did it and really like it. But I have large hands so I think it is the increased grip diameter that helps me the most.

Don't use the padded stuff, tho - I tried that and it was too squishy.

I double-wrap my bar. Not for comfort, but for my hand size. A single wrap just feels small. If you have larger hands, or if road buzz (not the member!) bugs you, I would look into double wrapping. I doubt i'll go back to a single wrap.

I "double-wrap" by using cotton bar-tape as my first layer. Then I'll use whatever my fave cork tape is at the moment. It increases the size of the handlebar and acts as a 'buzz' deadener. Cotton bar-tape is a whole bunch less expensive than a first layer of regular bar-tape. And it makes for a neat job.

Very timely. Glad I ran across this article at this time, in that I just bought several rolls of tape with the intention of rewrapping both my road and hybrid's bars. I too have rather large hands (6'1", 180) , but would have never thought of this. I can see where it might also lessen hand fatigue, and make for a more enjoyable ride.

Now, what was that old conundrum about "large hands";) ;) ? :D

Originally posted by OtheloTheMoor

Now, what was that old conundrum about "large hands";) ;) ? :D

You know what they say about men with big hands and big feet... we wear big shoes and big gloves :-)

Was laughing so hard at Cycletourist's post I forgot my train of thought. It occurred to me that there may be a change of technique in the wrapping; i.e., does one wrap both in the usual recommended manner, or is there a different technique depending on first or second?

Double wrapping the handlebars? Are my ears playing tricks on me? Don't you know how much wieght that will add!:D Well say goodbye to that Tour victory. Sheesh! :rolleyes: :D

I use to years ago double wrap with cork tape, but I did this so I could use one yellow tape and one red tape which I could then acheive a red and yellow strip effect on the handlebars which also was more comfortable on the hands. But now I just use a single wrap cork tape with splash effects and use Trico Sports Gel gloves for comfort.

I used to use "Grab-ons" but only the thin ones as I found when climbing, the compressibility of the thick ones seemed to me to be a hinderance. I now use cork tape, but generally always wear padded mitts.

I've 531 forks and I think they handle road vibration pretty well anyway.

I double wrap using a split inner tube. You need to stretch it and tape it into place before adding the bar tape.

This discussion prompted me to do a web search; and, was surprised at the number of uses for handlebar tape, from camera tripods to oar handles. However there was a paucity of info on double wrapping. I did come across this article at Rivendell re: the "weave pattern" that echoes "froze's" post above: http://rivbike.com/html/rr_handlebar.html

Thanks again for the input.

Speaking of alternative uses...

I use cork handlebar tape on my lawn mower to prevent numb hands.

Originally posted by cycletourist
You know what they say about men with big hands and big feet... we wear big shoes and big gloves :-)

As I like to say:

"Big hand, big feet......two outta' three ain't bad". :D

Pros double wrap there bars for some of the Classics that are over cobblestones. That has been a common thing for years with them.

Anyone that races sprint cars or dirt oval tracks might want to wrap there steering wheels with cork tape. I have done it for a few local racers and they all love it.

A good pair of gloves also makes a difference.

I've got an old pickup (1970) and the steering wheel was painted by the previous owner, and the plastic is cracked in various locaitons. I wrap it with bar tape. It tears and breaks off in pieces, but I don't care!

L8R

I've double wrapped only the left side of my handlebars.

Another "tape trick" is to install a 6-7 inch strip of thick tape on the top of the bar between the stem and brake lever. Then wrap a normal layer over it.
You get the padding where you need it, without the "oversize look" and weight.

Another, adjuistment to consider, moving brake levers a different position. I use the "lever body-tops" for another position, so I don't get bad vibes....

This was discussed a few months back.

Someone stated they used the old cork tape on their bars as the second layer and placed a new layer on top. The next time, the new layer becoame the old layer. and a new layer was put over it.

I also tape dense faom ((appprox. 2 mm thick) on the top of the bar and then wraped with cork tape. Seesm to work well.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ

I double layer my bars to make them thicker & more comfortable, I like the feel of the brake cables under the tape , it makes an oval shape which seems to fit the hand better . On my friends bike I pulled an old inner tube over the bars before taping them , he seems to think its cut down on the vibration !

Originally posted by Styk33
Pros double wrap there bars for some of the Classics that are over cobblestones. That has been a common thing for years with them.

Last year or the year before there was an article in, I believe, VeloNews about USPS mechanics. They specifically mentioned double wrapping bars for Paris-Roubaix.

I have thought about this from time to time. I would probably only double the tops, maybe out to the hoods. The idea about just taping a straight piece on top sounds promising. I may give it a try next time I replace my tape.

I have never really noticed if double wrapping makes the bars cushier... but the larger diameter definitely works better for my large hands.