Originally Posted by
markjenn
I doubt your experience includes wrapping bars with bar-end shifters.
Bottom to top is the preferred method generally as it puts the non-overlapped edges of the tape in an orientation where they point to the outside of the bike so that hand movement towards the outside doesn't tend to raise the edge. But it doesn't work well if you have bar-ends and the housings need to exit from under the tape somewhere in the middle of the tape job. If you've ever done a wrap with bar-ends, you'd understand the problem: Bottom to top - unsightly gap in tape where housing exits; top to bottom - no gaps.
As to the technique where the tape "tightens" naturally as you rotate your hands back, that's strictly a question of CW or CCW wrap direction and has nothing to do with whether you go top to bottom or bottom to top.
Final comment: Technique and patience makes a lot more difference in the quality of the job than wrap direction or orientation. I've seen superb tape jobs done in the "wrong" way and they look great and work -peachy.
- Mark
You can doubt my experience all you like - but just so you know, I have wrapped more than one of my own bikes and more than one for other people with drop bars and barcons. Yes it leaves a little more gap when wrapped my way, but this is a small* price to pay to acheive the best tape orientation resulting in superior wrap performance and longevity. Also, this "unsightly gap" is hidden beneath a cable at the bottom of the flats on a drop bar - not visible unless you are looking for it... which most people do not, as this is less important than the bars being wrapped correctly.
*
VERY small price to pay - while you can achieve some overlap when wrapping backwards (top-to-bottom), overlap is completely unnecessary - the tape underneath is held in place by the cable. If done properly, the gap can be 0mm laterally when wrapped bottom to top, and, as I said, only noticable if you are looking for it, and even then, only if you value the superficial over the functional.
Cheers!
