How are you wrapping the tape? I was taught to start at the top, work my way down and tuck the ends in, finish it off with the bar end. The style now is to go the other way and finish up with a loop of electrical tape. I prefer a diamond weave with cloth tape. I have something similar on my commuter for just over a year, it's starting to wear a bit from leaning up against lamp posts and sidewalk sheds.