Electrical tape = BAD Loom tape = GOOD
06-26-14, 08:14 PM
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Cheap electrical tape = BAD Loom tape = GOOD
Every once in a while I see a post where electrical tape is mentioned. As many have found out the hard/messy way, electrical tape adhesive can make a sticky mess. Especially when used on bar tape.
Try "Loom Tape". It does not have any adhesive.
Wire looms in cars are NOT wrapped in electrical tape. Instead they are wrapped in loom tape. Loom tape is like electrical tape without the adhesive. I use it on my handlebar tape and it works very well. I have it wrapped on the nose of one of the saddles and it is holding well. And with NO sticky mess.
Maybe loom tape has been posted before, but I didn't see any in the search I did.
BTW ... I use the vinyl type tape, not the cloth loom tape
Cheap electrical tape = BAD Loom tape = GOOD
Try "Loom Tape". It does not have any adhesive.
Wire looms in cars are NOT wrapped in electrical tape. Instead they are wrapped in loom tape. Loom tape is like electrical tape without the adhesive. I use it on my handlebar tape and it works very well. I have it wrapped on the nose of one of the saddles and it is holding well. And with NO sticky mess.
Maybe loom tape has been posted before, but I didn't see any in the search I did.
BTW ... I use the vinyl type tape, not the cloth loom tape
Cheap electrical tape = BAD Loom tape = GOOD
Last edited by nkemp; 06-28-14 at 06:58 PM. Reason: Added cheap in front of electrical just to clarify.
06-26-14, 08:28 PM
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06-27-14, 12:10 AM
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Not all electrical tapes are made equal. If you use 3M electrical tape and you do a good neat job with it you shouldn't have any mess, both shops I work in use it and we never have any trouble with it. Cheaper electrical tapes have bad adhesive and will wear and get gross.
06-27-14, 04:38 AM
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Agreed. Scotch 33+ is great. Splurge a little and get the good stuff.
06-27-14, 04:57 AM
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+100 on the self-fusing silicone tape; it comes in colors to match or contrast your bike, bar tape or whatever, and like loom tape it only sticks to itself so no gooey adhesive and easy removal.
06-27-14, 07:05 AM
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+4,876,432 All I have been using for years is the self fusing silicone tape. I keep it in several colors.
06-27-14, 08:05 AM
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Not all electrical tapes are made equal. If you use 3M electrical tape and you do a good neat job with it you shouldn't have any mess, both shops I work in use it and we never have any trouble with it. Cheaper electrical tapes have bad adhesive and will wear and get gross.
06-27-14, 08:52 AM
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As mentioned: 3M 33+ or 88. This stuff is stretchy and works well for finishing bar tape. For taping housings to the bar prior to taping I prefer something that's not stretchy and use Kapton tape which is very thin and tough. It also leaves no adhesive residue when removed.
06-27-14, 11:35 AM
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I have been using 3M 33 tape ever since a shop wrench recommended it to me. It was a pleasant revelation that all electrical tapes are not the same!
06-27-14, 11:58 AM
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Would this self-adhesive silicone tape work as handlebar tape? Before you say it will be too slippery, note that I've used Benotto tape and like it. I guess I grip it hard enough to create adequate friction.
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06-27-14, 12:23 PM
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The tape is: Elliott Tape EG ET301. Homepage: Michigan Tape | Dry Vinyl Tape | Pressure Sensitive | Automotive | Solar | Detroit Michigan I don't recall where I purchased it but you can get 2x100' rolls on eBay for about $8 shipped.
Here is a link to a PDF of all their tapes. https://www.egitape.com/portals/0/Ind...Automotive.pdf Search for "301" It is in the automotive section. They have other alternatives as well.
NOTE: I'm not saying this is the best alternative but I cringe when I hear people using electrical tape since it is likely the cheap stuff. One of the plug ends of the handlebar tape came loose (after letting someone borrow the bike). I wrapped it with ET301 tape and it looks good and stays well. I also use it at the stem end.
Here is a link to a PDF of all their tapes. https://www.egitape.com/portals/0/Ind...Automotive.pdf Search for "301" It is in the automotive section. They have other alternatives as well.
NOTE: I'm not saying this is the best alternative but I cringe when I hear people using electrical tape since it is likely the cheap stuff. One of the plug ends of the handlebar tape came loose (after letting someone borrow the bike). I wrapped it with ET301 tape and it looks good and stays well. I also use it at the stem end.
06-27-14, 12:27 PM
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Can't say for sure and a test would provide the best answer. It is easy to put on and take off. This stuff is vinyl tape, like electrical tape, without the adhesive. Thin, shiny and fairly strong. Since I get numbness in my hands, I would not enjoy riding with this as handlebar tape but YMMV.
06-27-14, 12:50 PM
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Silicone & vinyl are two different materials.
And just to be complete, silicon and silicone are two different things.
- Silicon= 14th element on the periodic table
- Silicone is a man made material composed of silicon, oxygen plus other elements (such as carbon and hydrogen). Silicone can be a liquid or a flexible, rubberlike plastic.
And just to be complete, silicon and silicone are two different things.
- Silicon= 14th element on the periodic table
- Silicone is a man made material composed of silicon, oxygen plus other elements (such as carbon and hydrogen). Silicone can be a liquid or a flexible, rubberlike plastic.
06-27-14, 01:20 PM
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3M as others have mentioned works great, but I have not been using any tape on my bars I wrap anymore since I have started wrapping my bars from center down and have never had one come loose.
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06-27-14, 01:29 PM
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06-27-14, 02:21 PM
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It would feel pretty similar to electrical tape.
06-28-14, 06:02 PM
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I tried this once^^ and the silicone tape wasn't very durable as a handlebar tape and tended to come unstuck from itself in just a couple of rides. Your results may vary.
06-28-14, 06:41 PM
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I find that the unbranded electrical tape does not stay in place. I have a few bikes with 3M electrical tape and they vary around 6-10 years on the tape. No problems.
Do not pull it tight by stretching it hard. Especially the last wrap, just enough to fit in place. Then it is not trying to shrink back to size. My bikes with the 3M have thousands of miles on them.
Tried to count them without looking, at least 10 bikes with the 3m tape for years.
Do not pull it tight by stretching it hard. Especially the last wrap, just enough to fit in place. Then it is not trying to shrink back to size. My bikes with the 3M have thousands of miles on them.
Tried to count them without looking, at least 10 bikes with the 3m tape for years.
06-28-14, 06:50 PM
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In my experience, this only works with thin tape. If the tape has any thickness, the raised edge is toward the middle and tends to get curled up as you hold on to the bars.