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Bar taping

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Old 08-22-14 | 07:11 PM
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From: Clev Oh

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Bar taping

For all those who use cloth tape, do you ever put any padding under it? I am used to cork tape which has some padding built in.
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Old 08-22-14 | 07:14 PM
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I have put cloth tape over cork tape, but it looks funky. Cloth tape looks best when you see the narrow profile of the bar (IMO). Wearing gloves makes up for the lack of padding.
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Old 08-22-14 | 07:18 PM
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One of my bikes has cloth tape over a padded tape (some cheap black vinyl stuff). Works fine. Does look a bit non-traditional - not for the purist's concours bike.
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Old 08-22-14 | 07:38 PM
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A thin, single, layer of hockey tape under the cloth tape works best for me. Gives it a little extra something underneath without the bulk.
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Old 08-22-14 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by cs1
For all those who use cloth tape, do you ever put any padding under it? ...
No!
Cloth tape doesn't do much dampening, but the tactile feel of raw cotton is better than sex. At least for some.
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Old 08-22-14 | 07:48 PM
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A friend taught me to cut an old innertube into strips and tape a piece under the cloth wrap. It's not much but is pretty much invisible, cheap, and combined with gloves works good. Another guy I know just puts on two layers of cloth.
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Old 08-22-14 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Chrome Molly
I have put cloth tape over cork tape, but it looks funky. Cloth tape looks best when you see the narrow profile of the bar (IMO). Wearing gloves makes up for the lack of padding.
Here's an example of what cloth-over-cork looks like. I think it looks fine/good, but on a bike I wanted to keep "pure", I agree that I would use only cloth.

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Old 08-22-14 | 08:05 PM
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Nothing comes between my and my bar tape, I mean between my bar and my bar tape.
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Old 08-22-14 | 08:12 PM
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Sounds like I need better gloves.
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Old 08-22-14 | 08:14 PM
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I wrap one layer of cotton over another, then add seven coats of shellac. There's a very slight give to the doubling of the wrap, yet it remains thin enough that it doesn't look bulky to my eye. As much as I love and prefer the look of cotton vs. "cork," I fall into that camp of people who love the feel of the wrap even more. Double win in my opinion.

Here's an example - two layers of cloth...only a touch thicker than a single layer and seems to fit my palms and grip nicely.
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Old 08-23-14 | 09:48 AM
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I like two layers of cloth as above, but with less shellac.
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Old 08-23-14 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by AZORCH
I wrap one layer of cotton over another, then add seven coats of shellac. There's a very slight give to the doubling of the wrap, yet it remains thin enough that it doesn't look bulky to my eye. As much as I love and prefer the look of cotton vs. "cork," I fall into that camp of people who love the feel of the wrap even more. Double win in my opinion.

Here's an example - two layers of cloth...only a touch thicker than a single layer and seems to fit my palms and grip nicely.
Very nice.

Very cool bike btw...
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Old 08-23-14 | 10:10 AM
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I have one bike with a double layer of cloth too. No shellac. I like it. Though I wrap the first layer edge to edge, without overlapping it. Makes the second layer look better, IMO.
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Old 08-23-14 | 10:34 AM
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Planet Bike has the "Century Gel Pads."

I like 'em. My palms are often on the corners.
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Old 08-23-14 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by rootboy
I have one bike with a double layer of cloth too. No shellac. I like it. Though I wrap the first layer edge to edge, without overlapping it. Makes the second layer look better, IMO.
That is a great idea. Any pics?
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Old 08-23-14 | 11:34 AM
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I've been looking at harlequin wraps lately... thinking about doing that on my 3-speed... looks cool, and doubles up on thickness of cloth wrap.
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Old 08-23-14 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by cs1
That is a great idea. Any pics?
I just looked at all the pics I have of my orange Moto and no, sorry. No good pics of just the handlebars. Doesn't look like much, other than a little thicker than one wrap.
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Old 08-23-14 | 08:51 PM
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Cotton over inner tube, as suggested by iluvnoise above.
It does thicken up the wrap, and provides a little padding.

Last edited by Ex Pres; 08-23-14 at 08:58 PM.
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Old 08-24-14 | 03:03 AM
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Has anyone wrapped Benotto over inner tube? I have a bike with Benotto tape and around 70 miles, my hands are complaining. I want to keep the look but add just a little comfort.
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Old 08-24-14 | 04:10 AM
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Next time, I may try this, instead of trying inner tube.
Welcome to Rescue Tape! | Main | Rescue Tape
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Old 08-24-14 | 08:39 AM
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This is what I have been using, RavX Cottonwrap ? RAVX Design I love the look & feel of cotton bar tape but I have pretty bad nerve damage to my hands & fingers and needed something with more padding, I can ride without my gloves using the Rav X cotton gel wrap for a good distance without my hands going numb.

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Old 08-24-14 | 09:21 AM
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RavX also has this: Ravx Bicycle Bar Gel Under Tape Gel Insert Road Bike Tape Insert | eBay

I might give it a try.
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Old 08-24-14 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by toavii
A thin, single, layer of hockey tape under the cloth tape works best for me. Gives it a little extra something underneath without the bulk.
Does hockey tape actually have padding to it, or does it just bulk up the diameter a little for a better fit?
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Old 08-24-14 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by arex
Does hockey tape actually have padding to it, or does it just bulk up the diameter a little for a better fit?
Just gives it a larger diameter. No redeeming "padding" qualities to it.
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Old 08-24-14 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by toavii
Just gives it a larger diameter. No redeeming "padding" qualities to it.
It's cheap like me. That's redeeming.
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