Originally Posted by
nomadmax
I use old inner tubes split down the middle as a temp bar tape to make sure the levers are where I want them. Once my OCD is satisfied, I tape them up with the real thing.
+1. Easy to make and works fine. Actually, my salty roads bike, Babe the Blue Oxen, has had her inner tube bar tape for 4 years now. Function over style.
I also agree about heating old tape to relax the stretched areas. In summer, I just roll it up and leave it on the dash board for an hour or so, windows up.