Bicycle Mechanics - Finish tape missing inside my box of handlebar wrap... what to use?

Hello all,

Quick question, what should I use? Gaffer's tape or black duct tape (to match the color) is the first thing that comes to mind. As a temporary measure I'm using zip ties to keep tension at the ends.

Thanks,
Max

Electrical tape works well for this, would not want to use zip ties, as these have shape edges from cutting where you are putting your hands

3M electrical tape. Various other uses too.

+1 on Electrical tape.

+1 on Electrical tape.
Agree also. Electrical tape is stretchy and conforms well to the end of the tape. Duct tape is too rigid and stiff to work well.

Funny, I have never used the finishing tape. I always end up using electrical tape.

What is this "finish tape" you speak? Is it's a conspiracy by 3M and Scotch? If you wrap the tape the right way,you don't need any tape. :) When did people start wrapping tape backwards anyways......

I have thick leather wrap on my bars and I don't seem to have any problems tucking it in the ends with caps,there's a big hole there.

I always wondered what that tape was for......

Yes 3M electrical tape works good for bar wrap, that said I no longer use any tape as I have learned how to wrap my tape from the stem side to the bar end and use the plug cap to keep it all in place.

Black electrical tape. Finish tape is those 2 little strips that are about an inch wide and 6 inches or less long (actually more like stickers with their backing) that you use to wrap the end nearest the stem if you wrapped it the right way. Either that or it's special tape from finland you use you wrap your bars with reindeer hide.

When did people start wrapping tape backwards anyways............
Right about the time they realized that wrapping from the drops toward the stem makes to exposed edges face away from their hands so the tape doesn't fray or slip nearly as much and lasts a lot longer.

Twine, see Rivendale site . You can get it at a craft store. Get a color to match a color on your bike. Get a larger diameter . With practice you can make a finished end like a custom fly rod has on it's eyelets. Amaze your friends, be the envy of others that use electric tape.......

Cheers all.....

Gaffers tape....because it is less prone to come un-done and smear sticky around like electrical... besides I bought 5 rolls at a garage sale.

Twine, see Rivendale site . You can get it at a craft store. Get a color to match a color on your bike. Get a larger diameter . With practice you can make a finished end like a custom fly rod has on it's eyelets. Amaze your friends, be the envy of others that use electric tape.......

Cheers all.....

Wait, the 10km roll from the farm store isn't the only way to get it? Sheesh.

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTtmxTVlxMEEV76EbHSHVs6EVs6E666666--

Get it at your local hardware store. It comes in Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Red, Violet, White, and Yellow. I have a selection of colors at home to choose from to match or coordinate with the bar tape color.

It's stretchy, so it conforms well to contours of the tape end. Don't go wild stretching it and it sticks down very well. I've never had it come loose or become sticky. I didn't know people used anything else.

Funny you say that, that is what I first practiced with.
There's a guy in St.Marys ,Ohio that has taken it to an art form.

Cheers

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTtmxTVlxMEEV76EbHSHVs6EVs6E666666--

Get it at your local hardware store. It comes in Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Red, Violet, White, and Yellow. I have a selection of colors at home to choose from to match or coordinate with the bar tape color.

It's stretchy, so it conforms well to contours of the tape end. Don't go wild stretching it and it sticks down very well. I've never had it come loose or become sticky. I didn't know people used anything else.

+ eleventy bazillion

The finishing tape that comes in the box is just another one of those cycling related things I just throw away. (Along with valve nuts and caps.)

Electrical tape.

Electrical tape works well for this, would not want to use zip ties, as these have shape edges from cutting where you are putting your hands

Amen, it's just there while I waited for expert advice ;).


What is this "finish tape" you speak? Is it's a conspiracy by 3M and Scotch?

...

I have thick leather wrap on my bars and I don't seem to have any problems tucking it in the ends with caps,there's a big hole there.

Definitely a conspiracy, and I'll try that the next time I wrap a handlebar. I already cut it to size so I'll have to go with tape this time.


Yes 3M electrical tape works good for bar wrap, that said I no longer use any tape as I have learned how to wrap my tape from the stem side to the bar end and use the plug cap to keep it all in place.

I'll try that next time. My tape wasn't quite long enough for my bar so I did it in two segments per side (with a break at the brake levers). Next time I'll find some longer tape and try to do it in one piece and just cap it.


http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTtmxTVlxMEEV76EbHSHVs6EVs6E666666--

Get it at your local hardware store. It comes in Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Red, Violet, White, and Yellow. I have a selection of colors at home to choose from to match or coordinate with the bar tape color.

It's stretchy, so it conforms well to contours of the tape end. Don't go wild stretching it and it sticks down very well. I've never had it come loose or become sticky. I didn't know people used anything else.

Sounds good, maybe I'll get it in Gray or Red to highlight the bar ends.

Thanks for all the advice :).

I wrap mine the "right" way and finish it off with black electrical tape. Cinelli black cork wrapped this way will last a long long time.

My tape wasn't quite long enough for my bar so I did it in two segments per side (with a break at the brake levers).

You know that your supposed to stretch it - right?

If you wrap the tape the right way,you don't need any tape. :) When did people start wrapping tape backwards anyways.......

If you wrap the tape from the stem to the drops, the coefficient of friction between your hands and the tape is increased, resulting in blisters on your palms. This is accentuated by the fish scale effect of each new wrap laying on top of the previous wrap.

The lay of the tape increases the wind drag induced by the handlebars. All serious racers have their tape wrapped starting at the drops.

If you ascribe to this theory, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

I bought some Arundel bar tape a while back, looks OK, but I haven't tried it yet, but the instructions on the box answer the OP:



1) Remove old stinky tape and scrub sweat residue off bars.
2) If bars are corroded, buy new bars. This is no time to save money.
3) Place a 3” section of Arundel tape around brake clamp to cover it up.
4) Begin wrapping from the end.
5mm-8mm overlap.
Maintain constant pressure. but don’t tear it!
5) Continue wrapping until you run into the stem.
6) Un-wrap some tape because you went too far.
7) Cut end diagonally so it’s straight!
8) Slap the enclosed finishing tape” on your toolbox, chainstay, bumper, etc.
9) Find some nice electrical tape and use it to hold the barwrap in place.
10) Tuck the overlapped tape into the bar end and install the plugs.
11) Admire your fine work.
12) Ride Bike. Don’t crash!

+1 for the 3M Super 33. If you find the finishing tape, put it over the Super 33 if it looks nice.

At Lowes they have rubberized electrical tape with no adhesive- it just sticks to itself. It's quite a bit stretchier than vinyl electrical tape, and much easier to use. It's expensive- $3 a roll- but one roll should last nearly forever. It does a much nicer job of finishing, conforming to the handlebar and the wrap without all that nasty adhesive that melts when it gets hot and humid.

You know that your supposed to stretch it - right?

Yup, I stretched it nice and tight, but the tape I got from my LBS was cheap stuff from china and the bars on my LeTour II seem longer/wider & thicker than most modern bars I see in bike shops. As a single piece they would end up being about an inch short. I have a feeling though that the tape they had just isn't as long as good brands.


I bought some Arundel bar tape a while back, looks OK, but I haven't tried it yet, but the instructions on the box answer the OP:


1) Remove old stinky tape and scrub sweat residue off bars.
2) If bars are corroded, buy new bars. This is no time to save money.
3) Place a 3” section of Arundel tape around brake clamp to cover it up.
4) Begin wrapping from the end.
5mm-8mm overlap.
Maintain constant pressure. but don’t tear it!
5) Continue wrapping until you run into the stem.
6) Un-wrap some tape because you went too far.
7) Cut end diagonally so it’s straight!
8) Slap the enclosed finishing tape” on your toolbox, chainstay, bumper, etc.
9) Find some nice electrical tape and use it to hold the barwrap in place.
10) Tuck the overlapped tape into the bar end and install the plugs.
11) Admire your fine work.
12) Ride Bike. Don’t crash!

Thats awesome haha.

Twine em, it looks super cool!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/angelpena/DSCF4333.jpg

Thats pretty interesting. Is that a flat shoe lace type braid? I think they sell that in black at the army surplus store.

Twine & wine is the classy way to do it.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/722584-Please-show-me-photos-of-leather-wrapped-drops.

IMO, only use 3M brand vinyl tape if you use tape. The adhesive seems superior, with no drying out and little oozing over time. Cheap electrical tape usually oozes glue quickly. Also, the 3M vinyl tapes are often sold as art supplies in the various colors in small rolls; no need to spec the electrical tape version.

Thats pretty interesting. Is that a flat shoe lace type braid? I think they sell that in black at the army surplus store.

You can use any type of twine, some use hemp or sisal, I found some cotton twine at the local hardware store, (Postal package/butchers) and then amber shellacked the whole mess!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/angelpena/DSCF4332.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/angelpena/DSCF4426.jpg