Bicycle Mechanics - Does Anyone Wrap (Tape) Handlebars From The Center Outward?

Does anyone start wrapping (taping) the handlebar at the inside point, nearest the stem, and going outward?

Everyone I know starts at the bar end and works inward, so that the job needs to finish with sticky tape around the last wrap.

Seems to me, if you do it the other way and use the bar end plug to secure the wrap, you can avoid the use of sticky tape. Okay, there's a bit to hold down the start of the wrap, but it is covered by the wrap.

Am I the only one who finds the sticky tape a bit unsightly?

When bar tape used to be flat ribbon or smooth vinyl style, this method worked quite well. The edges of the tape laid flat. With the newer cork and cork gel tape, the edges don't lay as flat. If you wrapped from the middle out, your hand would rub against the edges and peel them up (try running your hand backwards across the tape on your bar now). At the shop we use good quality electrical tape to finish the wrap. Don't tape the wrap to the bar but just cover the last bit of bar wrap. Let just a little hang over the edge and pull the tape fairly tight. The electrical tape will curl over the edge and give you a nice finished look.

When bar tape used to be flat ribbon or smooth vinyl style, this method worked quite well. The edges of the tape laid flat. With the newer cork and cork gel tape, the edges don't lay as flat. If you wrapped from the middle out, your hand would rub against the edges and peel them up (try running your hand backwards across the tape on your bar now). At the shop we use good quality electrical tape to finish the wrap. Don't tape the wrap to the bar but just cover the last bit of bar wrap. Let just a little hang over the edge and pull the tape fairly tight. The electrical tape will curl over the edge and give you a nice finished look.
i find that overhanging the edge of the tape will cause the tape to creep towards the stem(tape wants to return to its relaxed state). too much stretch will also cause it to creep. i stretch the first wrap then loose on the next 2 wraps. cut

jyl, With cork or padded tape starting the wrap at the plug prevents a bulge in the tape near the stem, starting the wrap at the plug creates a shingled effect and seems to hold up better to use, for me anyway.

Using twine to cover the electrical tape is a classy way to finish a handle bar wrap.

Brad

I couldn't find a reference to them right now but I've seen circular "clamps" that cover the bar tape at the stem to replace electrical tape and give a finished appearance.

Some people use whipping instead of tape: http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2007/3/25/cord-whipping-handlebars.html

I have found that self-fusing tape does a great job of securing the end of the wrap. It adheres only to itself so can be removed easily without a gooey mess and will not creep like electrical tape. It is also available in colors to match or contrast your bike's color scheme. Here is one vendor: http://www.rescuetape.com/ It can also be used to hold cables, etc. in a neater fashion that zip ties.

Wow! There is a lot of wrong in this thread. :twitchy:

Yes, you can wrap top-down without any issues. There is no need for electrical tape to hold the cork tape down. It works fine with cork tape. This is now the only way that I wrap handlebars.

Here are some examples:
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Bikes%20for%20Sale/P8290008.jpg?t=1317930270

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Moser/P3100127.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Lopez%20Raleigh%20Dash/P4162638.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Schwinn%20Cross%20Bike/IMG_0618.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Raleigh%20Sprite/IMG_0566.jpg

Texans, Somebody has to Salmon every job.

And no issues with peeling, big-heineken? I started out wrapping bars the same way as the OP, and for the same reasons, but they inevitably started to peel. Now that I wrap from the ends, everything is solid.

- Scott

I have wrapped from the top down for 40 years. I don't use cork or gel tape and I don't have any problems.

Now that I think about it, it's longer than that. I got my first drop bar bike in 1960.

And no issues with peeling, big-heineken? I started out wrapping bars the same way as the OP, and for the same reasons, but they inevitably started to peel. Now that I wrap from the ends, everything is solid.

- Scott

No, I haven't had any issues with peeling at all. On this particular bike, I have ridden over a thousand miles on this bar-tape in the last year and it's as tight as it ever was:
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Moser/P3100127.jpg

I also don't use tape with an adhesive back, I hate that stuff.

1. If you underlay your bar tape with double sided tape (sold:thumb:
as poster tape at office supply stores), you can cut down on
peeling/shifting under use considerably...which ever way you go.

2.I used to go top down. Now I go bottom up. Call me irresponsible.http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/dance.gif

3. If you use vinyl electrical tape as your fastening tape near
the stem at the top, you can seal the ends of it with a soldering
pencil with a flat tip to melt the end into the final turn. Be
careful, as it is easy to melt right through the tape.http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/doh2.gif

I do this only with thin cloth tape, which I then shellac.

I double wrap my bars: First layer is from the cap up, second layer is stem down and I havent had any issues yet

I wrap the bar in two stages, from the brake levers down to the drops and so the ends; and from the brake levers on up to the stem. This way I get the overlaps going the right way for each position.

1. I cut the end so that it forms a right triangle. This minimizes the starting bulge.
2. I start at top and under - go front - up - over - and toward saddle - down - back under - toward front.
3. Do the typical cross wrap at the levers...
4. Wrap to 1/4-1/2 inch past end of bars...
5. Fold the extra into the bars and hammer in the plugs.

The entire time I'm applying considerable stretch throughout.

Even after scrapes and other types of damage - my tape jobs seem to hold up and last quite awhile...

=8-)

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu132/gavriel_bucket/photo2-2.jpg

Even with cork it works fine.

1. I cut the end so that it forms a right triangle. This minimizes the starting bulge.
2. I start at top and under - go front - up - over - and toward saddle - down - back under - toward front.
3. Do the typical cross wrap at the levers...
4. Wrap to 1/4-1/2 inch past end of bars...
5. Fold the extra into the bars and hammer in the plugs.

The entire time I'm applying considerable stretch throughout.

Even after scrapes and other types of damage - my tape jobs seem to hold up and last quite awhile...

=8-)

I wrap opposite you (start under the bar nearest the stem and wrap back, up and over toward the front of the bike) but the rest is the same. No issues as long as it is put on snug.

Do I sense the beginnings of a new OCD thread stirring?:D

So I was told the objective of wrapping the bar tape from the bottom up was to create a wrap such that your natural riding grip would tend to tighten the tape rather than loosen it.

Probably more of an issue before adhesive backed tapes were introduced and leather, cotton and thin vinyl were the norm.

Personally I also tend to stretch and overlap the tape more than most techs which suits me but some others feel a slight tear is more likely to expand that way. Can't win em all!

I wrap from center to bar end works great never have had it get loose I use no tape or glue this tape has no stickey back as well.

237562

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu132/gavriel_bucket/photo2-2.jpg

Even with cork it works fine.

Great picture, which IMHO shows the benefit of starting the wrap at the top and wrapping down to the bar ends. Notice how the tape is held nicely in place at the starting points near the stem. I've been wrapping my bars this way for more than 30 years and never thought it was the "wrong" way to do it.

Ok somebody, in fact, does, next topic.. :rolleyes:

Do I sense the beginnings of a new OCD thread stirring?:D

So... if you have branded tape, do you wrap it so you can read the label from the front, rear, left, or right? What if you bought a bike and the bars were wrapped wrong?

Stem to the ends for almost 50 years and I still use cotton tape w/shellac.

I snapped some crappy pics with my phone this morning showing more examples:

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/IMG_0661.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/IMG_0660.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/IMG_0659.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/IMG_0656.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/IMG_0654.jpg

They all look exactly like mine...up over and back...down under and forward...

That ensures that when you pull and twist back as part of hill climbing in the saddle - you're tightening - not loosening the tape...

=8-)

I've had people say, "But you're going to feel "ridges" when gripping the tape..."

To be honest, I've never noticed - then again I'm a wheel builder with severely calloused hands...

=8-)

I always wondered what that tape was for......What year was the memo for wrapping tape backwards?

Learn something every day.

I'm starting to wonder if my first attempts suffered because I didn't use enough tension, not because of the direction...

So... if you have branded tape, do you wrap it so you can read the label
from the front, rear, left, or right? What if you bought a bike and the bars were wrapped wrong?

Thank you for asking the question. I'm certain I'm not the :D
only one who wants to know the correct method for this situation.

Anyone? Please.......inquiring minds want to know this stuff.:o

Hmmmmm ....... and how many people actually bother to clean off any old adhesive before putting down that shiny new tape? Few bike shops do but I insist on it. Maybe I'm being overly obcessive.

Bottom up always. +1 I use the self fusing, silicone tape. It only sticks to itself, is very clean, and looks a lot better than electrical tape (and can take hot weather).

Here's the clear version:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6166/6167665262_6877bcf2b5_b.jpg


And for some contrast, red tape on neon green bar tape:


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6010/6008628268_7778f63610_b.jpg


I use this stuff a lot, keep it in several colors: clear, orange, red, yellow, blue, green and black. I've found it pretty cheap on fleecebay. Last time I bought from this guy, he threw in a couple of extra rolls.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130620491518?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


bill

That Paramount looks sharp, Bill! :thumb:

I wrapped a set of bars last night using mrrabbits method. Looks great!

Hmmmmm ....... Few bike shops do but I insist on it. Maybe I'm being overly obcessive.

If you suspect you are being overly obsessive, it's pretty obvious you aren't. :thumb:

To the truly obsessive, there is no such thing as overly obsessive...it's oxymoronic.:love:

I used wrap from end to middle, but had problems with the tape at the top near the stem. I now exclusively wrap from stem to the end without any problems. No bulging or loosening, and the stem area of the handlebar looks neater.
This is my opinion and works well for me. Most riders and bike shops wrap end to middle which is ok. No right or wrong whatever works for each rider.

YannisG

Bottom to top. Start on the outer side of the bar and the first wrap goes under. That is the correct technique.

Apparently a lot of people do it wrong and seem to like it. God bless them if it works, but they are still doing it wrong. No shop would tape top to bottom.

BL

Bottom up always. +1 I use the self fusing, silicone tape. It only sticks to itself, is very clean, and looks a lot better than electrical tape (and can take hot weather).


I use this stuff a lot, keep it in several colors: clear, orange, red, yellow, blue, green and black. I've found it pretty cheap on fleecebay. Last time I bought from this guy, he threw in a couple of extra rolls.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130620491518?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


billSince this thread still hasn't wrapped up, thought I'd ask if you had a chance to stack that tape up against any brand name products like 3M? The price is amazing compared to some big name brand equivalents and I'd really like to know how the performance compares.

Bottom to top. Start on the outer side of the bar and the first wrap goes under. That is the correct technique.

Apparently a lot of people do it wrong and seem to like it. God bless them if it works, but they are still doing it wrong. No shop would tape bottom to top.

BL

Dont you mean 'no shop would tape top to bottom?'

I used to tape top to bottom but my tape always came unravelled. I am sure there was more wrong with my taping skillz than just the direction of the wrap.

I started taping my bars from the stem down because the finishing tape would get kind of gooey, especially on hot days, and haven't had any problems with it loosening or peeling up. I use the thicker type tape, I think it was labeled as "cork" (but it seems more like a really dense foam) with tapered edges so it will level out the overlaps. With the starting end secured and wrapped pretty tightly it's worked well.

Has anyone tried using heat shrink tubing to secure the end if it's wrapped from the bottom up? That seems like it would be pretty secure and would probably eliminate the gooeyness that I didn't like.

Since this thread still hasn't wrapped up, thought I'd ask if you had a chance to stack that tape up against any brand name products like 3M? The price is amazing compared to some big name brand equivalents and I'd really like to know how the performance compares.

I've used this stuff for several years, and all of it came from ebay (hundreds of bikes total, a couple of dozen keepers over that time frame). I am too cheap to buy that 3M stuff. I got sick of the gummy/gooey mess that electrical tape left behind.

The auction I linked to was a recent rebuy for me to restock my inventory, and add some colors. I sent the seller a PM, as I already had a lot of red, and I requested some different colors that he had on another auction. No problem.

+1 This is one of those items where ebay is a lot cheaper.

Here's one I did recently, using yellow silicone tape.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6743827025_4192544cac_b.jpg

I can't believe nobody has even bothered mentioning the Coriolis effect! The direction (top--> down or top<--Down) is based off of whether you live in the Northern, or Southern, Hemisphere. Also, it helps to know if you tend to ride your bike East/West more so in one direction or the other. These will all impact the only acceptable way of wrapping tape. Most people tend to ride East and West in equal amounts, so normally it doesn't matter.

Remember though, if it works for you, that isn't good enough. The "right" way to wrap your tape is not only a question of longevity, but of morality.


Oh, and +1 for the Silicone tape. (I love silicone :) )