so lately i've been flippin bikes and so on, and i've noticed the main thing i've been buying for each bike is handlebar wraps. i've been going through quite a few. I've been getting the basic ones that they sell down here that go for about 11 dollars.

does anyone know of where i can buy a bunch in bulk to save some more money?

i'd prefer a decent quality wrap....

Here you go:

https://www.speedgoat.com/Catalog.asp...132&Prod=16956

Niagara Cycle Works has tape starting at $4.83/roll. Some Walmarts have black bar tape for $6.99.

Decent wrap for cheap doesn't exist. Hockey tape is cheap, but its thinner then original. You need more wraps. Any sports store has it in big rolls.

wallyworld

Bike Ribbon Professional is MUCH more than decent. Ever tried it?

(hey, don't be dissin' my fav tape )

+1

I use it on my bikes. Beaters that they are.

Its not cheap though.

$5-$6 for a quality handlebar wrap that's not a kludge solution is cheap IMHO.

Where at? I see 8.50- 10.00 online plus shipping for the blue ribbon. The word "kludge" doesn't exist in websters dictionary.

Also known as Bike Ribbon Padded but when you get it the package says "Professional"

https://speedgoat.com/product.asp?par...at=36&brand=27 ($6.16)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=401291 ($7.88)
https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...ic-Padded.html ($6.95)


BTW: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kludge (that's Webster's)

And, if you can not capitalize "Webster's" and drop the apostrophe I can use the slang term kludge, which is what hockey tape on a handlebar is.

When Performance Bike has a sale, the plain synthetic cork wrap kit is only $4.99 or $5.99 (can't remember which). At my local shops, it comes in white, black, blue, and red. It's a pretty good wrap.

Loaded up recently when Nashbar had theirs on sale for $4.99, PLUS 20% off. That made it $3.99. I bought a year's worth. Its on sale for $5.99 and no 20% off. I'll wait....

I tend to use red the most, then yellow and blue.

In flipping, once you master marketing/values in your area, and wrenching; the two most important steps to success are:

1. Buying project bikes right
2. Managing your supplies, parts and consumables. If you pay 2X for the basics: tires, tubes, bar tape, cables; then your margin gets really small.

I tend to "back the truck up" when I see awesome deals on supplies, like the $5.99 sale on 50 foot rolls of lined cable housing, and the $5 tires, etc. If you buy stuff just as you need it, you will tend to pay a lot more for supplies.



Nashbar Yellow:




Nashbar purple, white and black. I typically don't get the multi-color stuff, I just don't like the look. But sometimes, its just "right" for a bike.

ebay

+1, that's where I found the blue & orange Cinelli tape that I used on my Trek. I couldn't find it anywhere else at the time, and it was around $10 delivered.

It does appear in the online Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kludge

Although I don't completely agree with their definition. I typically think of it as a workaround, something you use in a pinch or using not quite ideal components just to get the job done.

See first reply to OP, above.

Simple fact: hockey tape <> handlebar tape so any comparison as to the cost of each is moot. If you want inexpensive handlebar tape, get Bike Ribbon Pro/Padded. If you want to wrap your bars with something that's not handlebar tape use hockey tape.

A screwdriver can be used in many situations like a chisel. That doesn't make it a chisel any more than it makes it a hammer.

+1 Performance. Forté Classic Cork Tape. https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1033675_-1___

I just print out the sale price from the website. Right now it's at $5.99 but sometimes it's at $4.99. That price will be honored at the store. I get a bunch of it, black and white. It goes on all flip bikes.

I always check the website so if I need 27" tires etc for a flip I can get the web price in store. Diff subject but right now you can get Panaracer Stradius Pro II SE Road Tire for $20. Fantastic tire at that price but I think it only comes in a red sidewall. https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1511000_400235

Semi-kludge approach. I found a big roll of Velox rim tape for $15 on ebay. I used that, two rims worth per side of handlebar. Then hit it with 3-4 coats of amber shellac.

Hey Now, stop casting derision on kludge's!

what's that 4.83 stuff like, you ever use it?

thanks for all the replies guys

Dylansbob, did you leave it "velox side up"? That would probably look cool.

I'm riding this morning and then doing something I've never done before...wrapping bar tape. I've been putting it off for awhile but this is the type of task I don't really look forward to, but must be done occasionally, like re-stringing a guitar.

can't find the item, u got a link?

+1 for the Bell black corktape for $6 at Wal-Mart . My local store only carries it sometimes, but when I do see it, I clear out the whole rack.