Any tips for getting that 'pro' look for bar end caps? Where there is zero loose tape around the bar end cap and it looks all tucked inside nicely?

I'm using nice White Fizik bar tape, and if I follow a video which says to leave about 1/2 inch of extra tape hanging off the bar at the start, the bar end plug won't go in as there's too much material, and if I leave less, the tape ends pop out and look all sloppy. Worked on it for 30 mins yesterday unsuccessfuly!

FWIW, that Fizik bar end cap is really tight on my handlebar - I have to use a rubber hammer to pound it in.

If you're having trouble getting it perfect, leave some extra back there and trim to fit.

I use Velox bar plugs and don't bother with leaving any excess tape to have to fold in (I wrap from bottom to top). I just decided it's a pain with thick bar tape.

Like this?





The trick is getting just the right amount so the plug fits in but the tape doesn't bulge out. You can also cut some snips in the loose part so it lays inside better. If the Fizik plugs are too tight, maybe try something smaller. I don't tuck, I wrap the end flush, but I put sticky tape on my plugs so they don't come loose.

your BARS might be the problem, too... some have thicker material , and that makes for a difficult install of some plugs.

Try cutting the end of the tape on a diagonal. You may still need to cut some notches in the overhanging tape to get it to tuck in nicely. Sometime I end up with a little overhang over the plug, so I just trim that flush with an X-Acto. As long as there's a good bit tucked in it will hold.


I've always wrapped tape from top to bottom to avoid using sticky tape at the end on top. I've always managed to get it tucked pretty neatly, even with thickly padded tape. Sometimes it takes a bit of doing for sure.

...this ^^^. Start at the bottom, with a length of the same vinyl electrical tape you're going to use for finishing the end at the top. The first wrap goes around and over the electrical tape to hide it. Then use a Velox or similar plug in the ends. It also helps (with bar tape that has no adhesive on the underneath) to wrap over a layer of 3M two sided tape, available in most office supply stores and online at Amazon, etc.