brianappleby

so my OEM tape is that carbon-looking stuff that:
#1 isn't carbon ( who are they trying to fool ) and
#2 gets slippery when it's wet.

So i bought some bar tape and now need to know how to wrap the bars.

I noticed that the tape isn't actually sticky on the back, is this how it should be?

The tape came with 2 sections of tape that are about 3" long each, and these are sticky on the back... what are these for?

I already did a (fruitless) search on the topic so if it's been done before, please point me in the right direction.


thanks,
Brian.

johnny99

The short pieces are for wrapping under your brake hoods, as wrapping the bars will leave a gap there.

Non-stick bar tape works OK if you wrap semi-tightly. Soft foam tape generally has an adhesive backing since you can't wrap it as tight without ruining the cushioning properties of the foam.

You can start wrapping from either the stem or from the bar ends. If you wrap from the stem, stick the end of your tape into the handlebar and secure it with your bar plug. If you wrap from the bar end, then secure the stem end of the tape with some stretchy electricians tape.

When wrapping your tape, make sure it winds in the same direction your hand presses down on the tape (i.e., so your hand pressure does not loosen the tape). The correct direction to wind depends on your hand positions. Stronger riders tend to twist down on the outsides of the handlebars. Tourists tend to rest their wrists on the inside of the bars. Left and right will generally be opposite.

Since your tape is not adhesive, you can always unwrap and try again if you screw up.

Wil Davis

This might help - much useful information - pay attention to the use of electrical-tape underneath the bar-tape, but with the sticky-side up - it works very well and helps hold the bar-tape.

- Wil

cuda2k

Will has a good link to the parktool site that I used when I first did my wrap jobs. I usually start at the end of the bar, leaving enough to stuff into the end with the plug, then moving up the bar towards the tops. Boxes of bar tape usually include three things - the two rolls of cork/foam/gel tape, two small strips of finishing tape (aka fancy cut electrical tape) and the two bar plugs. Finishing tape is to secure the ends of the bar tape at the tops, plugs go in the ends to help secure the other end - and well, the rest I think you can get the hang of. using non-sticky tape is probably a great thing for a first wrap job as it's easy to go back and fix if you mess up the first time. Trickest part is getting around the hoods and maintaining a nice even overlay width. Neither of which I'm all that great at (yet).

Wil Davis

Here you go - if you want to try something which is ultra-cool, and is quite unique, try this one - post some pics when you've done it so we can see how you got on…

- Wil

Lucky07

I actually prefer the non-adhesive backed bar tape. MUCH easier to wrap/unwrap & get it exactly how you want it.

DocRay

Here's another instructional link.

Tapey Link

Just keep it tight, but not too tight or it won't cushion as well. I like Bontrager gel tape because it can be re-wrapped.

roadfix

To make your wrapping job much easier, secure the front wheel using a bungee cord and put your bike on a repair stand if you've got one.