wunderkind

Hi,
I'm wondering if there is any issue with double taping the bar tape? I'm trying to have a softer cushiony handlebar feel for my daily commute.
Will taping another layer of bar tape over an existing one be ok? Or it will come off?

Nitram612

Why not just get cushier handlebar tape?

hueyhoolihan

i've done it in the past and it worked out fine. i just wrapped the sections of the bar at the common handhold points, then did a complete wrap over that.

jon c. 

My wife and I do it and both love the extra cushion and slightly 'fatter' bar feel.

AdamDZ

You can also use gel pads under the tape. Nashbar makes good ones.

snowman40

Nope. It will only come off if you do it wrong.

ThermionicScott 

+1

ddez

I double taped my my bar ends. Works just fine. Been on there a while and i ride the bar ends pretty much all the time except when i see a braking situation coming up.

modernjess

Sure you can. Some pro racers use double wrap for the spring classic races which feature cobblestones. Ok, technically their mechanics do it for them, and then take if off the next day. But... I would also add that the benefit of a double wrap over gel insert pads is that the double layer is over the entire bar including the drops, which might or might not matter to you.

Seattle Forrest

It's very common for people to double wrap their bars. But you might want to try cork tape first, it's great stuff. Also, fizik makes some gel inserts for drop bars, covering the drops, tops, hooks, and bends. They work pretty well, too.

wunderkind

Awesome! Thanks for the responses!

Now to get me some brown bar tape to match...

nashcommguy

One can do a bar wrap called a 'harlequin wrap'. It utilizes two different colors and has a criss-cross/diamond pattern hence the moniker. It's extremely difficult to do w/padded bar tape, but the rewards are a thicker feel to ones hb and when done correctly it looks great. The most difficult thing about it is getting all the diamond shapes to match up on both sides of one's hbs. And not tearing the tape, obviously. The action is similar to braiding except one is using two pieces insted of three.

Had a single speed w/black and white which looked very nice on my silver comps/black frame and forkframe set. The only difficulty was keeping the white part clean. That ended when I changed over to fg on the same bike and got a red rim/black hub wheelset. Now I've got red padded hb tape as I didn't want to impose upon my friend a 2nd time.

AdamDZ

True. In the end I double wrapped my trekking bar and removed the gel pads. Like Jon C., I also like the extra thickness of the bar, it makes it very comfortable to hold. But I mentioned gel pads as an option.

fietsbob

I use 2 layers of the foam tape on both my trekking bars equipped bikes.
and the top half of my drop bar touring bike.

its not really soft, there are foam tubes to offer that.. [ they tear easily]..

Though the diameter increase helps .. in double wrap.

azesty

I use some cheap generic bar tape on the bottom and Brooks leather bar tape as an upper layer on my butterfly bars on my LHT touring bike.

z

Underground

I wonder if anyone has gone cheap and convenient with some gel shoe inserts for padding...

Mauriceloridans

Even cheaper and more convenient, wrap with used inner tube and then bar tape.

RT

I always double tape. No exceptions. Use old top tape as bottom layer when re-taping or changing housing.

erg79

Are you gellin'?

Stealthammer

I always double wrap padded tape the drop bars on my mountain bikes to better absorb shock over rough terrain, but I only single wrap padded tape on the road bikes because I prefer the smaller bar diameter, and I single wrap non-padded cotton tape on my FG to get the most firm grip. I've never had any issues with any of them.

I've also done several criss-cross patterned double wraps like what nashcommguy mentioned, including one that was over a double wrapped base for a guy with really large hands, and although it took a bit more patience it wasn't difficult at all. The criss-cross pattern has an interesting feel to it as well, and if I do another drop bar setup on a mountain bike I will definitely use it.

I can't stand gel padding though, too squishy and loose fitting for me.

AdamDZ

I used Salsa cork gel padded tape. It ended up being very soft actually.

Won't last long.

I won't be comfortable and rubber smells.

Leebo

I use 2 wraps on my mt bike too, I gots the sashquach sized hands.

cycleheimer

I have done some commuting with one of my old mid-eighties touring bikes. It had that old "Nerf" handlebar wrap stuff on it's randonneur bars. I was going to remove it, but then I decided to just wrap over it with "old school" cloth tape. Looks fine; is holding up; and is actually much comfier than I expected.

cooker

Your gloves should have some padding too.

RB1-luvr

this is a similar suggestion to what I do... I wrap the bar with rubber electrical splicing tape (non adhesive type when I can find it) first, then use bar tape over that. The thicker feeling is great. Best modification I've done in recent years.

Splice tape is available at most hardware stores.