seypat

I saw this at a ride this weekend. Colored heat shrink tubing. The person said you just measure your cable, and take one end loose. Put the heat shrink tubing on, use a hair dryer and that's it. Connect everything back up and you are through. He said he went to an electric supply store and bought how much he needed and it only cost him 3 bucks. That's what he said.

WNG

Yes, it's an option, but color choice is limited to basic ones. Plus, the cost per foot is as much as actual housing.
If you already have good quality housing, it is a quick appearance change.

Since I'm dealing mostly with C&V bikes, I opt to upgrade the housing to modern stuff with the bikes I get. The unlined housing required greasing/oiling the cable before use.

But there is one application for heat shrink that I'm researching....terminating bar tape at the top of the bar. Neater than electrical tape. And in colors too.
But must find it in the diameter required to fit over the padded tape.

rootboy 

Does heat shrink tubing come by the foot? Never knew that. But then, I never need 6 feet of it.

WNG

You can buy it by the roll.

SJX426 

WHG, Love the idea! Put your initials on the tubing!

Heatshrink - Tubing, Cutting, Printing
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mongol777

Great idea! Thanks!

Grand Bois

You can get heat shrink tubing with a heat activated adhesive on the inside so it doesn't slip. I can't say where. The place where I used to get it no longer sells it.

Glennfordx4

Here you go Will, I have bought heat shrink tubing from these three companies. The first link I have had great dealings with & their customer service is nice to deal with.

I last bought tubing about 2yrs from here, it was cheaper then most places I found, they had a lot more & colored tubing then they do now though.
Heat Shrink Tubing and Tape

Heat Shrink Solutions: Tubing, Connectors, Guns, Tools and Supplies


This company has great color choices and I have used them a few times
https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/

Glenn

WNG

Thanks for the links, Glenn and SJX426!

Vintage_Cyclist

I would question how well shrink wrap on cable housing would hold-up over time.

As far as electrical tape on the handlebars goes, you can get it in just about any color you want. I got a five pack of red, green, blue, yellow and white at Ace Hardware for 5 bucks.

WNG

For some of us, the look of wrapping tape to secure the ends leaves a lot to be desired. Plus those of us in high temp climates have to deal with it softening and unraveling.
I do use premium electrical tape currently, but it doesn't hurt to find a better solution for myself personally. It's subjective.

old's'cool

Wait,... that would add weight, without adding any functionality...!!

CharlyAlfaRomeo

Wrap your bars starting in the middle and working towards the end. Tuck the end of the tape into the bar and then insert the plug. No adhesive tape required and looks super clean.

WNG

That's the way I used to do it in the 70-80s, when cloth and Benotto Celo tape were popular. The thicker Cinelli cork and padded tapes won't fray as badly when wrapped bottom to top.
Necessary evil.

CharlyAlfaRomeo

Can't say I've ever used padded tape but I've had success with all thicknesses of cork tape. Just have to make sure it's pretty tight for the entire length and extra tight at the end. YMMV of course.

Little Darwin

Hemp twine is the approved method for finishing bar wrap... or so I hear.

I have actually considered using some brightly colored nylon twine I have, but I don't know how well it would stay in place, of course, I could coat it in shellac, that worked when I built a fishing pole with nylon thread.

Wogster

If one is afraid of it unravelling, then go the opposite direction, in other words if you wrap bottom to top going counter-clockwise, then wrap clockwise when going top to bottom..... I like the heat shrink idea though, get a 1' piece, cut off a piece the same width as your bar tape slip it on the bars to the centre, then put on the brakes/brifters, wrap the tape, slip it over and hit it with the hair dryer, done. I agree though wrapped top to bottom looks a lot neater.