DMF 

Based on some posts here, I tried a new bar wrapping technique. I start from the stem and wrap outward. For this wrap I used Cinelli Cork Ribbon with the self-adhesive strip (stays good but a pain to re-wrap), and to anchor both ends reversed electrical tape (though the plug end really doesn't need it).

This first try took me the better part of an hour because I actually did 5 wraps. The right side I wrapped in the same direction as the first but that just doesn't look good - the two sides need to go in opposite directions. And on both sides I came up short a couple of times - the Cinelli is pre-cut.

Coming up short is okay (to a degree) when wrapping from plug to stem; you just finish it wherever it ends. But from stem to plug you won't have enough to tuck inside. Any recommendations for a more reverse-wrap friendly tape?

Done correctly, wrapping from stem to plug means that you don't have to finish the stem end. Just start the tape under the bar out of sight and it looks like the wrap appears from nowhere.

I think I found a new technique!


I also like the look of the natural cork color with the black and champagne frame. Previous wrap was black. I'll post pics shortly.

johnknappcc

I like the Deda or the Specialized S-Wrap, if you are looking for a cork type tape. I love the S-wrap because it has no adhesive on the the back, just a slight tackiness. After I saw it on Panther's Puch I unwrapped and tried it, but I have bar ends so it was kind or a lost cause (still had to tape the bottom). Worked fine, but it looked better the other way (mainly because of the bar ends), so I switched back to the bottom up.

Nice thing about the S-wrap, it seems a bit thicker, and you can rewrap when dealing with cables or something else. I tried the Cinelli stuff, and didn't like it at all. Felt a little cheap, and the adhesive made it impossible to remove and re-wrap. Certainly didn't absorb road vibrations like the S-wrap.

Panthers007

I've heard of people having trouble with cork-tape and wrapping stem-to-end. I use cloth-tape (Tressostar) or leather. Either works fine this way. Back in the 70's I had to resort to polypropylene (plastic) tape. It worked fine also. But cork is the one I've heard people having trouble with.

Little Darwin

Your "new" technique is the way virtually all bars were wrapped back in the 70's and earlier. If you go to a thrift store or garage sale and find an old bike which hasn't been ridden in many years, and that is probably the way it will be wrapped.

I'm not quite sure when the wholesale switch was made to starting at the ends, but you have actually discovered the old way to wrap bars.

This way to wrap bars does have at least one other issue that you haven't het discovered. That is that the "open" end of the spiral is pointed up, and through normal use you are more apt to curl the edges down as you ride. Starting the wrap at the end puts the open side of the spiral down, so this is not an issue.

I do like the cleaner look of starting at the stem...

Interestingly, maybe because I first learned the stem out approach, when I start at the ends, I don't tuck the tape into the bar end, I wrap it over itself like when I start at the stem. It leaves a slightly thicker portion of tape at the bar end, but I find it works better for me to do it this way rather than fiddling with stuffing it in... I do still use caps, but only for looks.

Ex Pres 

Your edges will curl.

kamalster

How do you get the caps to stay in the bar end? Every cap I've had is slightly too small and just falls out without some tape in there to squeeze against.

AEO

when you start off at the ends, make the tape extend at least 1", or a full width of the tape off the end so you have enough material to plug the ends and not have the cap fall out.
you can always trim if there is excess this way.

alternatively, flare or spread the ends of the plugs a bit with some pliers.

I've rarely had any of my cinelli or deda plugs fall out.

DMF 

I'm pretty sure it was one of your posts about this that led me to try it, so thanks!

DMF 

I initially tried it without tucking (because I came up short) and the Cinelli plugs seemed to fit okay.


But without tucking I'd have to use a tie-wrap (natural nylon might not look too bad) or electrical tape to finish it, and a wanted a cleaner look.

DMF 

quick pic.

Note how I didn't quite get the start right on the bar near the computer. More when I get it off the stand. It looks really good from above, for instance.


Btw, there's a logo on the bar that sticks out on either side of the stem. I covered it in electrical tape.

Does that make me a bad consumer?

.

Ex Pres 

No, you use caps to keep from "hole-plugging" your leg in a mishap. That's why it's a UCI/USCF rule that all bar ends must be plugged for racing.

Panthers007

Here's an example of this method (I grew up with) using Brook's leather-tape. Look Ma! No electrical-tape! Oh - and the switch to bottom-up was after 1985. At least on the East Coast. I did remove my joke of the Celeste green housings. The bars have Velox expander-bolt plugs.

Hydrated

Cloth Tape + Shellac = yummy non-edge curling goodness

Ed Holland

One of my bikes has some rather neat bar tape "finishers" that clamp the tape ends at the stem ends. They are a wonderful alternative to PVC electrical tape, but I never tried to find sets for my other bikes.

DArthurBrown

I've never had good luck wrapping stem to end. The edges catch, curl, and tear. It also seems like the tape always bunches up near the hoods and leaves gaps with the bar showing in places.

mrrabbit 

My tape jobs:

1. Cut start end diagonally...
2. Place cut end under bar near the stem...
3. Start wrap with considerable stretch out - up - over - toward saddle - and back under again...
4. Maintain stretch during entire wrapping job...
5. At bar ends - continue wrap 1/4 inche past bar ends...
6. Cut tape ends diagonally again...
7. Fold 1/4 inch tape runout into the bar ends...
8. Pound the bar end plugs into place with a mallet. (The 1/4 inch excess tape folded in acts as a great friction lock for the bar end plugs - they ain't gonna come out by themselves.

=8-)

Panthers007

I always start (from near the stem) with a forward roll over the bars while pulling the tape tight under and over. So I go 2 wraps at the starting point and then another 1/2 wrap as I begin going down the bars. This 2 1/2 wrap to start technique has never failed me.

pmt

Fizik tape works great for this; no electrical tape needed at the ends, and it never curls or moves. Stays perfect indefinitely. The Fizik tape is also very easy to clean, even if you use white.

I_bRAD

Yeah, I tried this once a few years ago and sure enough my tape started curling after a while (It is still on there though as I can't bring myself to throw away otherwise good tape)

A bit of practice and you'll be able to finish the end nicely and not have to worry about it!

pgk

I just received my order from Handlebra.com they make very nice leather bar wrap. I installed it per Park Tools method, which has you wrap from plug end first, counterclockwise on the right bar and clockwise on the left bar. They claim that when a cyclist grab the top bar that there is a natural tendency to pull back on their hands. When wrapping this way the bar wrap should be self-tightening. I haven't had the chance to put any miles on my bike since installing the new bar wrap but I'm liking the idea and looks of leather, because there is no glue on the backside you can uninstall and install without fear of ripping the wrap. The edges are very thin and give a much smoother apperance than regular bar tape. Time will tell whether or not this is the ultimate bar wrap. Because it's leather and fairly thin my first impression is that there is not has much cushion as my previous tape. I guess we'll see how long it takes for my hands to go numb, that will be the deciding factor. On Handlebra's website they mention that you can also double wrap their product over cork, might have to give this a try if I experience more hand numbness than before. Iv'e got some Cinelli cork tape that would be perfect. I let you folks know what the final verdict is.
Iv'e attached a couple of pic files off their website, lot of colors to choose from, I went with black to match my bike color. I'm in no way affiliated with Park Tools or Handlebra.com just thought you might be interested in their product..


Pete

Just Ride!!

johnknappcc

Hand numbness is generally the result of too much weight placed on your hands. Generally indicates a fit or adjustment issue somewhere else on the bike. Try tilting your saddle's nose up a bit, see if that helps. Also, you may need to move the saddle back a bit.

But the tape looks nice.

pgk

Thanks John, I'll give that a try.

Pete

DMF 

A couple more pics. The wrap looks a little loose in the pics but it isn't.

Note that I'm not entirely happy with how the plug ends are finished. They need more work. I do like how the area around the hoods came out.

Do you think that reversing the direction of the wraps would make them less prone to curling?

masiman

Absolutely.

DMF 

Thanks. I'll let this set age normally to see how they do, then try the reverse direction on the next set.