I just got my handle bar wrap in the mail today... but with what came in the package I'm a little confused. It came with two long wraps and the bolt like things for the ends along with some electric tape. Which I understand what all of that is for... its the two pieces of wrap that were cut into 6" sections that confused me. The only thing that I can think that they would be there for would be to go over the electric tape at the very end. Am I right or is there some secret for them?

Thanks!

Those sections of wrap are used to cover the clamp of the brifters. When you wrap the tape (try a dry run without applying the sticky tape) you'll see that its impossible to completely cover the section of bar behind the shifter and hoods without using those small strips.

Here is a guide to wrapping bars by one of our members.

https://stupidhurts.org/2007/06/court...g-handle-bars/

I've actually never had trouble covering bar and brifter handle without the strips. If you wrap around the brifter in the pattern that the link suggests, you should have no trouble covering it all.

Here's a good detailed bar-wrapping tutorial with pix:

https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...ndlebar%20tape

And some more (about halfway down the page:

https://spectrum-cycles.com/63.htm

Aha. Thats what they are meant for! Forgot about that part!

Thanks!!

they are for extra padding for where you need it---- thats my take on it--- but if you wrap( from end to stem) there should be enough to surround the brake?--- anyway I always use real electric tape to finish and then use the supplied manuf. trademark tape. is that a chocolate cookie there, by your right thumb?

I've wrapped many bars since 1972, and the short lengths being included is a recent introduction. I've never needed them. Or the latest fad to wrap the beginning with electrical-tape. That's just sloppy in my book. But do what rocks your world. As an aside, I just wrapped my new bars with Brooks leather wraps. My favorite for comfort and grip.I highly recommend it - though you might have to hold up a gas-station to afford it.

that brooks stuff is a fortune---- I think more people would buy it if it was a little cheaper---
outside of real cinelli cork -- brooks tape is outstanding so vintage looking...... (sip)... ahhh...

Well I just finished wrapping them up and putting in some water bottle holders and a rack. The rack isnt finished as I dont have an P clamps to attach the front end to the bike, but I'll just zip tie it for now and not put anything on it until I fix that.

Don't feel bad,I've been wrapping my handlebars for 30 years and I just found out what it's for.Now,if I can just figure out what the "finishing tape" is for,finish what?

If this is your first time wrapping bars, you might like to take some of the old bar tape and lay it along the top of the bars so you can wrap the new tape on top of it. This will give you some extra padding on the bars where your hands need it the most.