OK.

The picture doesn’t seem to show anything like any of this.

I'm still using the leather Brooks bar wrap I installed when I got the LHT in 2011. I have removed it multiple times, replaced the bar once, and rewrapped using the same bar tape.

I think you are going to complain as you tend to do that but I have a feeling you will ask a few questions about what patch to use and how to patch using some crazy methods and then reject everything anyone has ever said to you and do it your own way. Basically just tell us exactly what you plan on doing and we will 100% agree you should do that and then you will do the opposite of your bad idea and everyone is happy.

I should probably try that next. My shoulders or something are likely unbalanced. While I’m not certain, it seems to have started after I fractured my right clavicle in 2012.

Stopped by the bike shop on my ride and showed the owner. Did not complain or raise a stink before y’all get judgy. He said if tape was pulled too tight it can cause a premature tear at friction points. This bar is long and has the Redshift foam insert at the hoods; mechanic likely applied tight to ensure the roll would suffice. Redshift sells Really Long Bar Tape for this purpose.

Free rewrap at next maintenance.

I guess we can cancel tonight's candlelight vigil.

Just breathe a sigh of relief, the issue is resolved. A candelight vigil might be overkill.

No, like the rest of us, just reading and worse yet, responding to these threads at all is not one of any of our strong suits. Mea Culpa.

looking closely at the tape you can see the wear
likely cause death grip and friction
remedy...don't death grip...use a thicker tape

My thoughts exactly. The tape in the first picture doesn't look like it has 30 hours on it. 3000, maybe.
Mike, did you have them install used tape?

Owner claims tape was pulled too tight which caused a premature tear at that friction point.

This bar is long and has the Redshift foam insert at the hoods; mechanic likely applied tight to ensure the roll would finish the bar. Redshift sells Really Long Bar Tape for this purpose.

Your stories always change over time ...

Sorry. I didn’t record his exact words. Lol. He thought pulling too tight stretched the tape causing the friction point to tear.

Next time I’ll get an exact quote.

pulling the tape too tight is a possibility that would contribute but still the signs of 'death grip' are there...i'd not ride near you if you death grip your bars

Looks like there was a small surface cut caused by a razor and when you started applying weight from riding the tape split. If you have a bike stand you can easily wrap yourself. I got some bar tape from Amazon and watched the Park Tools video. It came out really good except I suck at the last wrap and having to make a cut in the tape at the end to square off the tape but after applying electrical tape you can’t tell I kind of screwed up the finish wrap. The new bar tape is nice and tight and feels good too.

Sometimes it’s easiest to just tell the customer what they want to hear to get the interaction over with.

“The horror. The horror”

I appreciate the OP asking for an opinion here but on the other hand, can the OP not make up their own mind on how to handle something as minor as a cut in the bar tape?

I recommend the OP watch the Park Tool's YouTube channel when Calvin shows how to wrap a bar and not rely on the shop to do it. I've wrapped hundreds of handlebars over the years and I learned a couple things from the video below.

You must be new here.

I once saw a snail crawl along the edge of a straight edge razor—and survive.

There is nothing finer looking than using black duct tape to use as handlebar tape over old handlebar tape, and it's a lot cheaper than buying new bar tape.

Seriously, it's time for new handlebar tape, try to find some good stuff on sale. Tob brand cork tape is usually under $20, it has a nice feel to it and is quite cushioning as well.

^^ I was going to use duct tape but ended up using hockey tape. Seems all good.

Maybe you got old stock "version 1" of the Selle SMP tape having bought off Amazon?

I wouldn't purchase again necessarily

using hockey tape was a genius levels decision. How do you come up with these great ideas?! Boy, I have a lot to learn before I can reach that level of cycling.

I suggested it, see reply # 10