Road Cycling - Durn handle bar tape

So I'm on my second wrap in a year. It seams that they can never last. I've used the foam that last two times.

I'm wondering, do cloth wraps fair better?

Originally posted by William Karsten
So I'm on my second wrap in a year. It seams that they can never last. I've used the foam that last two times?
Depends on how many miles you put in, but two wraps a year sounds pretty normal. It depends on a lot of things -- type of wrap, colour [light colours look cruddier quicker], overall quality -- but I go through three cork wraps a year. Foam [like Profile] doesn't last any longer, and tends to be a little more fragile [IMO].

My mileage taperred off in September (well, dropped off the side of a cliff, pretty much). Maybe what that's why it lasted so long.

I've been very happy with Cinelli cork tape. It's classy, provides great grip, and is available in a wide variety of colors.
I generally change it about every 3,000 miles, but just because it's the easiest way to give my bike a new look!

I think it was Rainman and MichaelW who advised that the best way to wrap the bar was to start at the bar end - farthest from the stem.

This layers the tape so that you don'e end up peeling it off with use.
Of course, it also necessitates finishing the tape end with some adhesive tape or glue or hot-melt adhesive.

Maybe you could give this a try if you haven't already.

Michael.
The above advice about wrapping is good, Cinelli tape is comfortable but is sensitive to abrasion, plastic tape lasts longer but slips down the bar when it gets hot, both are close to impossible to rewrap, mainly because of the adhesive backing sticking to the bar along with chunks of tape, makes for making changes to the "set-up" more expensive and time consuming.

There used to be some stuff called "The Tape" that lasted almost forever and could re-wrapped and re-wrapped... maybe that's why the company went out of business, the product was too good. You can't sell more product if it doesn't wear out!

I think I've found a successor in the "Off The Front" Tape I've had it on my mud bike about 5 or 6 years, maybe more, with virtually no sign of wear and it re-wraps and re-wraps... and "cleans up" well too.
I normally replace tape at best every year or two. The OFT tape seems to be very abrasion resistant and just about as comfortable as the Cinelli tape! I'm impressed by it and that doesn't happen easily. Try it!

Ride Well Taped
Pat

I generally put a layer of cloth tape on first, under the cork tape. The cloth tape is wound in the old-style way, starting from the centre, working outward to the bar ends. Then, I use the good cork tape, starting at the ends, working inward. To finish, I apply some 3m coloured electrical tape (available in red, blue, yellow, etc).

Go Retro, use Cloth tape, doesn't tear like cork, or foam
and you can wrap, and rewrap as much as you like.
Of course it doesn't do much for padding, but better gloves takes
care of that.

Marty

So many options. I'm thinking cork tape, and likely, the wear issue is just something that I'll have to deal with. Thanks for the tips on installation, that's pretty cool.

I kind of have MikeC's outlook. I LIKE changing my tape a couple of times a year to put on a different look. I usually have an extra pack of tape around that I can't wait to put on so it doesn't take much to convince me it's time to change. I look at broken/worn parts the same way, as an opportunity to upgrade or try something different. Hmm, those 105 shifters on the commuter are looking kind of shabby...

I switched to cork tape back in the mid-80s and we've been together since. It's a bit fragile but I like the padding. (Don't wear gloves when I lift weights, don't wear them when riding.)
I also like the looks of the cork.

As a retro note back in the 70s Motobecane used 1 piece leather wraps on their better bikes. Now that was nice. I'll bet something comparable today would be pricey.

:beer:

Cork wrap is just dead sexy. It keeps the springy feeling, and wont mask the road contact, wicks water, etc etc.

its cool.



As/400 out

Thanks everyone!!