Bicycle Mechanics - Handle Bar Tape / Electrical Tape / String Wrap Technique

Some months ago, some clever BFer talked about an elegant alternative to the practice of wrapping electrical tape over the inside end of a handle bar tape job. It involved using string or cord with a neatly knotted off finish. . .no frayed ends and no electrical tape [ugh].

Question: What was that string/cord technique called?

[And yes, I did a search. . .no luck.]

Thanks.

That very nifty technique was described by Hambone in this thread:

"My De-Fredding Continues",
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=229900&page=2

Look for posts 39 and 45 on the second page.

http://fellini.net/twine/

I found the instructions on this website very easy to follow.

I used black dress shoe laces, a coat of Elmer's glue and about six coats of shellac to finish these off. It's holding up really well.
http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/42/43/5/9/89/2236509890068014369jHohCP_th.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2236509890068014369jHohCP)

No knots are needed. You hide the ends of the cord by wrapping it over itself. Soaking it with white glue binds it all together. The shellac waterproofs the glue.

My method doesn't have a name because I made it up.

Twine is traditional, but I wanted black.

Thanks folks! I see on the cited thread the process is called "whipping".

Here's the one I posted a while back.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=195415&highlight=bar+wrap

But I have to tell you this specific whip job came apart on the WI summer tour. I would probably use a thicker version of whipping than what is used on golf clubs.

do a google search for a turks head knot, makes for a nice looking finish knot, a bit complicated to tie when you first look at it, but very easy when you get a bit of practice.

ken.

http://naughtylittlemonkey.org/sintesi2.jpg

Its a little hard to see, but i wrapped mine with black hemp twine. Nothing to hold it in place and its lasted several months so far.

Has anybody tried whipping the entire bar (no tape)?
It works well on a sailboat tiller. The brake
hoods would be a problem, I suppose.

I found a black self-adhering tape which looks like electrical tape but sticks to itself within a minute or two and does not unravel. I believe it is used for repairs of an automotive nature. I found it in the auto section of our local Canadian Tire store though I suspect it is widely available. Works well when used at the end of a wrap.

Has anybody tried whipping the entire bar (no tape)?
It works well on a sailboat tiller. The brake
hoods would be a problem, I suppose.

I am sure it could be done, but it would not be nearly as comfortable as cork. It would give really good grip and durability but I think most are looking for comfort. I think I'd rather have the feel of the old plastic :). However, you could do it in leather but that brings in all sorts of maintenance issues. Remember the old Cinelli(?) lace on leather covers? Looked nice, but expensive and a pain to keep nice.

I found a black self-adhering tape which looks like electrical tape but sticks to itself within a minute or two and does not unravel. I believe it is used for repairs of an automotive nature. I found it in the auto section of our local Canadian Tire store though I suspect it is widely available. Works well when used at the end of a wrap.


it is called self-Amalgamating tape
http://www.surplussales.com/Antennas/Antennas-7.html

or self vulcanizing tape
http://www.msdignition.com/wire_11.htm

I have found it in either the automotive section, tape section or even the plumbing section of hardware stores. I think it works great for finishing a bar wrap.

Has anybody tried whipping the entire bar (no tape)?
It works well on a sailboat tiller. The brake
hoods would be a problem, I suppose.

Yeah, it's called whipping. They use it a lot in sailing. To tie the ends of ropes and what-knot (pun intended)
I even used the whipping technique to rehandle a old kitchen blade I have.

I assume you could wrap your entire bars with it. You just need to choose a nice twine, or thin line to do so.

For anyone who's interested, here (http://www.dickblick.com/zz615/11/) is a link to colored hemp twine. I found out that the blue is very dark. The black is nice.