truckface

Can you provide a specific link to the type that you use? I've read loads of posts on this, but still can't figure out the best/proper thing to order. With the grip/blade varieties, the "all-purpose" tapes masquerading as hockey tape, etc. I haven't been able to get a handle on what exactly you hockey tape handlebar wrappers are actually using.

Thanks for your help!

- Zach

afilado

Try this.

https://www.twilltape.com/servlet/th...pes/Categories

j

bearstronaut

My interest is certainly piqued, ordered a roll of white 1in tape. What width do you go with? Do you shellac your tape? Do you have any comparison to Newbaums or Tressostar? Looks great, and at that price it's worth a try. pretty sure ill be able to dye it, too! Thanks for the link.

HeyPip

awesome link, thank you

truckface

Awesome. Thanks, j! I've had a couple failed experiments with cloth tapes ordered online, so it's nice to have a specific product recommended. 'preciate it!

- Zach

rootboy 

Newbaum's has become my favorite. And each roll is plenty long so you don't risk running out before you're done.

photogravity

It seems there are a number of folks that really seem to like the Newbaum's and I have used their rim tape. For bar tape I'm using Velox, not because I have any particular love of the product, but because I won an auction for about 30-40 assorted rolls a while back. If I recall, my price including shipping was only ~$1.75, an unbelievable score if I must say so myself. Anyway, it will be a while before I run out of the Velox, at which time I'll probably give Newbaum's a try.

As far as hockey tape goes, I've never used it but if it provides a low cost alternative then I'm game.

rootboy 

That link to cotton twill tape is interesting. How do those who use it do so without an adhesive built in on the back of it?

Zoku620

Just wrap it tight, although you could put some glue (spray) on bars, I guess.
Great link, 36 colors! Is 72 yards enough to do my bars? Also, has anyone used the heavy (thicker) tape?

afilado

I sometimes use a few strategically placed strips of thin, narrow double-stick tape. Pick it up at the big box stores or at hobby shops.

J

mapleleafs-13 

hockey tape shouldn't be used as it will bleed glue through the tape and it will get really stick and dirty. I play hockey and i hate it when that happens and it gets on your gloves, so i started using another product for hockey

jdefran

Sure hope so, it's nearly 3/4 of a football field..I would think several bikes could be done with it.

loose spoke

Where does the glue come from? Is it applied to the stick before the tape or is it on the back of the tape? The tape linked above doesn't seem to have a sticky backing.
-Tom

Sixty Fiver

I use hockey tape and shellac to seal the tape and give me the right colour... recently stripped a set of bars that I did up over 5 years ago and the tape came off like I was skinning a pig and left virtually no residue.

The wrap that came off was not sticky underneath either and looks like some animal skin... I should take a picture of that.

Nice thing about hockey tape is that it tends to be quality high thread tape and has an adhesive backing... but I would not use it by itself because of the aforementioned issues with stickiness from the glue.

3speedslow

Brands I use are Renfrew and Howies. Both come in diff colours and make great temp or permanent covers. Mtape can be used to hold cables in place or finish off the cotten wrap.

Cheap but effective with cloth tape look.

Sixty Fiver

5+ years and still going strong... no stickiness and little scuffs can be repaired with a brush and a little shellac.

loose spoke

That looks fantastic Sixty Fiver! Do you recall what width you use?

zebede

+1

I picked up about 6 rolls of cheap black hockey tape (and some clear) at a garage sale. Glue bleeds thru. Don't know if shellac would help this stuff.

RFC

+1 Hockey tape wraps easily (I use three layers), blends nicely when shellacked, looks like leather and is tougher. I have not had the glue bleeding problem with bare tape.

Sixty Fiver

Without measuring... it is around an inch and a half wide.

I generally use yellow tape and amber shellac to get that natural brown / leather look and use clear over tape that is already a colour I want.

3 layers of tape, 5-6 coats of amber shellac, and 5 years of curing gets you that colour as it darkens a little over time.

lasauge 

I've got a roll of the black tape from the twilltape site, it's great stuff - no adhesive, but if you're careful with your wrap it will stay in place even without shellac. I like 3/4" or 1" width tape myself, any wider and it's tough to get tight coverage on the bendy areas and around the brake levers, and I find it takes 6 yards total to wrap a pair of 44cm bars (once).

Here's what the tape in question looks like under a single coat of shellac:

truckface

These two opinions exemplify my confusion over which type of hockey tape to buy. I think I'll just give the twill tape a go for now.

afilado or lasauge: Do you find one layer of the stuff from twilltape.com does the trick, or do you need multiple wraps before it feels right?

Thanks for all the opinions and advice, everyone.

lasauge 

Personally I use just one layer because I like my handlebars very firm, but from what I've read most people prefer either multiple layers or always wear gloves (I don't) when using a single wrap.

afilado

One layer works for me. I wear gloves.

J

RFC

Sorry, I don't get this bleeds through thing. I've used lots of raw hockey tape and if there is any stickiness it wears off fast (if you actually ride your bike). With shellac there is no issue whatsoever.