Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebar Tape On Aero-Bar

I haven't found a how-to reference. I believe I want the wrapping
to go from fore-to-aft but don't know if it matters how it spirals.
Should the tapes (trying to be clear) go down or up between the
aero-bars?? (Left bar clockwise or counter... viewed from the bike
seat... or expressed your way).

thanx,,,

You want the tape to be wrapped tighter by the natural twist of your hands. I would imagine that your hands would twist outwards while riding on the aero bars, so I would go up between the bars. I've never ridden with aero bars, so i could be wrong about the direction.

For what it's worth, I don't use tape on aero bars. Since there is no pressure on the hands, I don't see much need for it. However, if you are riding in sub-freezing weather, I could see using some tape to reduce heat transfer to your hands.

Be that as is may, I would wrap the tape from fore to aft spiraled so the tape comes up from between the bars.

Try that and if you don't like it, it's a simple matter to reverse it.

Thanks. I'll try that first. When I have an opinion
I'll report here.

thanx,,,

For a different look, try and locate some Benotto tape...it's very thin and perfect if you feel the need to wrap aero bar...also many colors.

I use dirt-cheap plastic tape on my aero bars. Wrap direction will depend strongly on the style of bar and your hand position. Some people really grapple with their aero bars and yank up on them when cranking on the pedals. Other people (myself included) rarely have anything more than a light grip on them to control the bike.

On my current tri/tt bike, I've got flat, "race bend" bars. I wrapped from the ends in (i.e. fore-aft), with the tape going down on the inside. I used Ambrosio tape I got from probikekit for like $2.39. Can't be beat.

The bigger question, IMHO: Where the heck do you put the little colorful trim-strip tape? :D The way I see it, there are 4 viable choices: front ends of the base bars, back ends of the base bars, front ends of the aero bars, or back ends of the aero bars. Since the brakes/shifters are trimming off the front ends of the bars nicely, that just leaves the two inboard positions. Since I've got a computer mounted right where the tape ends on my left aero bar, that left just the inner ends of the base bars - so that's where I put the trim. I left the outer ends of the wrap untrimmed, since the tension of the tape holds it in place. The inner ends of the aero bars (and the base bars under the trim tape) are trimmed with black vinyl (electrician's) tape, which works well, since the bars are all black.