Bicycle Mechanics - can bar tape be reused?

Does the adhesive last? Any ideas for a good substitute adhesive? I'd like to change out my bars but Id rather not create trash if I can help it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've only had a road bike for a couple of months and simple questions like this just keep coming up. Thanks.

I took off some old tape and the adhesive come right off with it. I've re-used the tape
for the last 8 months and she hasn't move at all. Just use caution when taking it off the
first time. Don't sweat it.

You really don't need the adhesive. Gel tape doesn't have that adhesive. Just re wrap tightly.

Lots of tape doesn't even have adhesive. The tape will stay in place on its own without adhesive everywhere except the ends. Plain black hockey tape works great for sticking the ends.

Tyco Stretch & Seal tape works great on the ends.

Have you taken the old tape off yet?

If it comes off in one piece you can usually reuse it. Sometimes the places where it was stretched won't match where it needs to stretch to fit your new bar. Adhesive is a non-issue.

When I anticipate having to change stem or bars on a bike, I run the adhisive through a pile of talcum powder, so I can un-tape and re-tape as needed.

I don't know how experienced you are at taping bars (your post seems to indicate that you're not, but I don't want to assume that you're a newbie, so I apologise if this is way below your experience) - I've found the Parktool (http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=71) page to be extremely helpful; lots of great hints (especially in the "Advanced Tips" section).

Good Luck!

- Wil

Yes, bar tapes can be re-used, with or without adhesive.

Tip - reverse the bar tape when you re-wrap so the worn edges of the tape are tucked under.

Adhesive can be an issue with cork tape. I had some cork tape with adhesive where some of the adhesive was wrapped onto the cork underneath it, by the inside bends of the bars. The adhesive stuck to the cork underneath it and tore the cork, rendering it non-reusable. I have not had this problem with Deda tape, for that can stick to itself and comes right off.