Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...many of the best taping jobs I've encountered begin with an underlayment of two sided tape, from 3M. The adhesive on both sides helps secure the overlying bar tape in place, so it doesn't slip around in use. The other thing I've seen used a lot is some sort of gel foam padding, used on the tops or other areas you want extra cushion, used under the corked bar tape, as another underlayer. I finish with the various colors of the heavy duty 3M electrical stuff. I like to be able to remove and rewrap the bar tape, because sometimes there's some mechanical issue that requires it. I bought a bike once that had finish wrapping of a delightful twine rope work pattern weave, which was then shellacked in place. It's impractical if you need to change out anything like the lever positioning or the stem.
I learned this the hard way but I only use the two sided 3M tape under the gel pad, which is not the skimpy stuff Fizik, Serfas, etc. sell. My arthritis needs the gel thickness and custom sized cut from gel shoe insoles that I hold in place with the two sided tape to get the best wrap I can and not tape the cables to allow the adjustments to lever position, etc. you mentioned. Quality electrical tape has never been a problem at the stem.