Road Cycling - handle bar tape question...

Where do you start your wrapping(tape)? from the center to the edge(handlebar)? or from the edge to the center and just use adhesive tape to secure it in place?

I always wrapped mine from the center to the end of the bar and secure the tape using the cover(handle bar end)..

I have seen a number of bikes using the other method(wrapping)? What are the advantage(s)?

And w/c do you prefer? Thanks:D

I always start at the edge and tape towards the center.

I make sure the overlap on each side is done so that the overlaps face away from the centre. This is because your hand pressure on the bars tends to be downwards and outwards. If the overlap is the wrong way then they get curled up and nasty.

Starting at the edges I find it easier to have the right amount of tape ticked into the hole so that the plug holds everything neat, and then if necessary trim of any extra at the centre.

The adhesive tape supplied with the bar tape is never long enough or strong enough. I like black electrical insulating tape to finish.

On my touring (audax) bike I have marsas foam padding under the bar tape

Stew

I wrap from end to center, overlapping 'overhand' and using a figure-8 behind the hoods to keep everything neat.

Im end to centre too. At the centre, cut off the tape in the direction of the stem and you get a neat finish.

Yes, think shingles on a roof. :)

I start midway on the tape(at the brake level) and wrap towards the center and the end. this stop the "ascross grain curlies" that your hands make when it rubs the tap in the wrong direction. (on top when you wrap C-E and on bottom when you wrap E-C).

I start midway on the tape(at the brake level) and wrap towards the center and the end

I don't quite understand that... Do you cut the tape in half before you start?

I do end to center for the aforementioned reasons; and, also double wrap for added comfort and shock absorption (a little ditty I picked up at this very site).

And, "1oldRoadie", in which direction do you wrap, the conventional way-all toward the inside (clockwise on the left, and counterclockwise on the right) or some other combination?

David

End to center. Wrap the right side counter-clockwise and the left clockwise.

I do it like Resident, end to center, overhand with a figure eight around the brakes.

I wrap end to center & I also have different colored electrical tape for matching the bar tape I am using.

End to center.

I go by the book.........end to center..........and finish off with vinyl tape (the expensive, non-shrinking type, 1/2")

I follow these instructions...

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/bartape.shtml

I allways used to tape centre to end, but I have just tried the same as 1oldroadie, starting midway on the tape at the brake lever. I've wanted to try this for a while. Going well so far!

I didn't think I'd have anything to add to this thread since I've never actually wraped any bars before, but... I've been test riding road bikes this week. One of the things that I did notice right away was the direction of the wrap on the bars. The bars that were taped backwards (to my way of thinking) where the tape edges rolled from the downward pressure of the hands felt bad and were very annoying. I kept smoothing down the little curled edges. The laps need to go downstream, as someone said, like shingles.

Originally posted by Gustav
I didn't think I'd have anything to add to this thread since I've never actually wraped any bars before, but... I've been test riding road bikes this week. One of the things that I did notice right away was the direction of the wrap on the bars. The bars that were taped backwards (to my way of thinking) where the tape edges rolled from the downward pressure of the hands felt bad and were very annoying. I kept smoothing down the little curled edges. The laps need to go downstream, as someone said, like shingles.

It seems I never had this problem...

Originally posted by OtheloTheMoor
And, "1oldRoadie", in which direction do you wrap, the conventional way-all toward the inside (clockwise on the left, and counterclockwise on the right) or some other combination?

David

I start with a figure 8 around the brake lever, then wrap "inward" .