PapeteeBooh

Hi,

I have been replacing my bar tape for the third time in 5 months. Is there a more timeresitant variety. I tend to put my hands at an angle that wore the tape easilly apparently.

Best,

PB

mike

That 'aint natural.

What is happening to your tape?

Is is possible that you are not applying it correctly? Too loose? Too tight?

pat5319

Try some "Finish Line" tape, it seems to last a LOT longer than others I've tried.
Ride taped up
Pat

PapeteeBooh

I doubt it. I had my LBS do it to make sure it would be done properly.

stewartp

Did the LBS tape from the centre of the bars and wrap towards the ends, or start from the ends and wrap towards the centre (stem)?

Centre to end will leave the tapered overlaps pointing upwards, and the downward pressure of your hands makes them curl and go horrible. But Bike Shops sometimes do it because they can make the start look neat and use no tape and tuck the ends into the hollow bars and finish with a plug.

Wrapping the other way leaves a loose end near the centre (stem) end which has to be finished off with adhesive tape. But the overlaps go the right way.

Stew

John E

I concur with Stewart, and add that the direction of wrap (clockwise or anticlockwise) also has an impact. Periodically, I need to remove the center adhesive tape (I like clear packing tape for this application), unwrap and rewrap the handlebar tape above the brake handles, and apply new packing tape.

D*Alex

The proper method, as far as everybody has ever told me, is to start at the center, and work it toward the ends. The instructions with the tape even say so.
What is absolutely imperative, however, is that the tape be taught at all times! I have seen many abysmal attempts at wrapping, and they are always due to the person not keeping the tape taught. And that means to really pull it hard!
Even so, the best "modern" tapes will always eventually curl on the edges. Old fashioned cloth tape doesn't.

John E

I am sufficiently fed-up with modern nonadhesive tapes to consider returning to old-fashioned self-adhesive cloth tape, which always served me well, and which would look great on my 1960 Capo, with its Brooks Pro saddle, Campy downtube shift levers, first-generation Weinmann centerpull brakes, and 1930 scripted head badge (www.capo.at). What is a good source of cloth tape, which most local bike shops have discontinued due to "obsolescence"?

SteveF

www.rivendellcycles.com

While not precisely "retro-grouch", Rivendell focuses on "tried-and-true" technology and products, rather than slavishly pursuing the latest and greatest product developments. They have only recently, for example, started to carry 8-speed Shimano cassettes for the simple reason that new freewheels are getting hard to stock reliably.

They have precisely the type of tape you're looking for in their online catalog.

MichaelW

I would second Stewarts taping method, from the bar-ends to the middle. I was shown this method by Mick Madget , 3rd generation owner of Madgett's Cycles, and it is used by other top cycle mechanics I know. The instructions on the box must be wrong.

The tricky bits are getting the tension right and getting the overlap correct. More highly stressed areas need more overlap, so I skimp on the end of the drops, and give plenty of overlap at the top of the curve. You also need to ensure you have sufficient tape left to reach the centre. Id like to buy continuous rolls of the stuff.

John E

Clockwise or anticlockwise, Michael? I have been starting the tape at the bar end and wrapping the right side clockwise, the left side anticlockwise. I end up near the stem with the tape wrapping forward, from back over the top to front. I have alot of trouble with the top portion loosening, which tells me that I should try the opposite wrap rotation.

Bikinguy

Hi All,
Getting my bar tape replaced with a red white and blue with stars bar tape.
As Steve F said great source at rivendale for french bar tape with shallac (sp?).
Everyone should order the Rivendale Catalog and just read what Grant says. You dont have to agree with all he has to say but it will open your eyes a bit. *S*

Ride safe...Dudley
Damn, new tires and a new jersey and its raining out ! Bummer!!

RainmanP

Bikinguy, you beat me to it! My Cinelli RWB Stars and Stripes came yesterday, but I haven't put it on yet. I got it from Chicagoland Bikes website, cbike.com.

D*Alex, I think wrapping stem to end used to be the standard. Now everyone seems to wrap end to stem because it puts the overlap in better position. Before I did my first wrap I checked every picture I could find in bike mags that were clear enough to tell the wrap direction. On pros' bikes only one of about 30 was wrapped stem to to end.

My first wrap went great and is doing well. I did have to unwrap to straighten out a couple of spots that weren't done well, but that was my doing. You do need to keep it taut and very slightly stretched.

Bikinguy

Hi Rainman,
The red white and blue with stars looks great to. I had em do it at the bike shop...hey its free and gives me an excuse to visit them as we have become pretty good friends.
I have those Calypsos tires in a screaming yellow so the bike is pushing the line of good taste a bit . *LOL*

Ride Safe....Dudley *S*

RainmanP

Bikinguy, et al.,
Well, I put on my RWB Stars and Stripes yesterday. It is so sweet! From the pictures on the website, I thought is was half width-wise blue with stars, the other half width red and white stripes lengthwise. I was trying to envision how it would wrap without covering up most of one side. Turns out it is half the length red and white stripes running across the tape and the other half blue with white stars. Works great as the transition winds up right at the brake hoods. I wrapped mine with the RW stripes from end to hood and the stars from hood to stem. I finished it off with wraps of red, white and blue 3M electical tape. How about you, Bikinguy?

If anyone has been trying to get to Chicagoland Bikes at cbike.com or assosusa.com, apparently they are updating their server and won't be available until 9/26. The tape is Cinelli brand, though, so anyone that carries a good selection might have it. I also got a roll of RWB splash, which is pretty good looking, too. I guess I will put it on next time.
Regards,
Raymond