Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Bar tape

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-24-25 | 07:35 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
Bar tape

I wasn't sure where to put this so I started here.

I bought a canvas bar tape some years ago that had a rubber backing thread built in that allowed the tape to be installed without adhesive.

I have removed it and re-installed it a number of times successfully but it's getting a little ratty looking and I would like to replace it.

I have forgotten where I bought it and a general search has not turned up a source.

Anyone familiar with this kind of fabric tape and where I can buy more? It's expensive but can be re-installed over and over for those that like to tinker.

(Not Newbaum's)

schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-25 | 09:34 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,296
Likes: 14,742
I can't answer the question about your specific tape, but I can tell you that many (perhaps most) bar tapes, in my experience, can be removed and reinstalled -- even if they have adhesive backing. Though unless the tape is very new and I had to unexpectedly remove it for maintenance, I will generally use new tape since it is not expensive.
__________________
Koyote is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-25 | 09:36 AM
  #3  
curbtender's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 5,347
From: SF Bay Area, East bay

Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11

Originally Posted by schnurrp
I wasn't sure where to put this so I started here.

I bought a canvas bar tape some years ago that had a rubber backing thread built in that allowed the tape to be installed without adhesive.

I have removed it and re-installed it a number of times successfully but it's getting a little ratty looking and I would like to replace it.

I have forgotten where I bought it and a general search has not turned up a source.

Anyone familiar with this kind of fabric tape and where I can buy more? It's expensive but can be re-installed over and over for those that like to tinker.

(Not Newbaum's)
Going to guess you've googled already. Got a picture of it?

Last edited by curbtender; 11-24-25 at 10:01 AM.
curbtender is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-25 | 09:47 AM
  #4  
Iride01's Avatar
Facts just confuse people
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,268
Likes: 7,021
From: Mississippi

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

I've removed my bar tape that came on my Tarmac several times and put it back on. It's what ever Specialized sells. It's got a adhesive strip on it. But being careful unwrapping it let me reuse it. It was easier every time I had to unwrap it. Not canvas though. Just some dense rubbery foam or something.

However, if you want to pay more for tape that's easier to re-use, consider that less expensive tape might let you put new tape on each time you need to fiddle with the position of components on your bars. If instead, your tape is loosening up after a time, then you are wrapping it the wrong direction.




Iride01 is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-25 | 09:54 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,296
Likes: 14,742
Originally Posted by Iride01
If instead, your tape is loosening up after a time, then you are wrapping it the wrong direction.
Or not tightly enough.
__________________
Koyote is offline  
Reply
Old 11-25-25 | 11:10 AM
  #6  
dynaryder's Avatar
DancesWithSUVs
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,454
Likes: 341
From: Wash DC
Completely wrapping the bars in a layer of electrical tape first will make it much easier to remove and re-install bar tape without tearing it.
__________________

C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Brompton S6L/S2E-X/M6L-X/S12 T Line












dynaryder is offline  
Reply
Old 11-25-25 | 11:30 AM
  #7  
icemilkcoffee's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,257
Likes: 3,664
It is commonly called 'silicone backed' bar tape. Salsa and Shimano Pro have this feature.
There are also some bar tapes which are completely made of silicone or EVA, which do not have any adhesive or any other kind of backing.
icemilkcoffee is offline  
Reply
Old 11-25-25 | 11:53 AM
  #8  
roadcrankr's Avatar
Mister Geezer to you
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 916
From: Glendora, CA

Bikes: Croll '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15

When you say "canvas," do you mean "cloth?" You can still find various cloth colors on eBay. Tressostar and Cateye still made it many years ago.
Here's a Cateye, which proved very durable. As a kid without much money, I would rewrap my Tressostar the opposite overlay when it became ratty.
Sticky side attaches to handlebar. In other words, I could not invert it with any success. lol
2 NOS CAT EYE 3000 BROWN COTTON bicycle handlebar tape bar wrap BAR END TAPE | eBay
roadcrankr is offline  
Reply
Old 11-25-25 | 02:38 PM
  #9  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
Not the Cat Eye.

See pictures.


schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 11-25-25 | 03:52 PM
  #10  
Jax Rhapsody's Avatar
Rhapsodic Laviathan
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 144
From: Louisville KY

Bikes: Rideable; 83 Schwinn High Sierra. Two cruiser, bmx bike, one other mtb, three road frames, one citybike.

Originally Posted by schnurrp
Not the Cat Eye.

See pictures.

Is that just vinyl strap?
Jax Rhapsody is offline  
Reply
Old 11-26-25 | 05:37 AM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
Found it: Grepp tape. https://www.grepp.cc/

Review: https://theradavist.com/grepp-gripper-bar-tape-review
schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 11-26-25 | 05:39 AM
  #12  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
I use old inner tubes as cushion as described in review.
schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 11-26-25 | 05:48 AM
  #13  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
Another review showing the recommended wrapping technique going from inside to bar end using no tape. I've done it both ways:
schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 11-26-25 | 06:56 AM
  #14  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
USA source: https://crustbikes.com/products/grep...40117828649050
schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 11-26-25 | 02:40 PM
  #15  
mstateglfr's Avatar
Sunshine
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,699
Likes: 10,233
From: Des Moines, IA

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Originally Posted by schnurrp
that is the most Radavist product and review I have seen in weeks. I wish I could say months, but Radavist does stay true to reviewing quirky and boutique products that border on absurd.

- The tape is absurdly thin, so instead of producing tape that has padding, the tape brand suggests you put an old rubber inner tube under the tape.
- One of the colors is 'rain drum'.
- First ride with the tape felt harsh compared to the bamboo handlebars that had been recently used.
- The tape frays 'quite badly'.


Peak Radavist product and review.
mstateglfr is offline  
Reply
Old 12-09-25 | 10:01 AM
  #16  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
Ended up using this: https://www.amazon.com/Cannondale-Kn...s%2C183&sr=8-3

Had bought some from local Bicycle Chain store couple years ago and never used it. Has an adhesive strip but no paper cover.
Just enough adhesion to keep it in place. Very long strips, stretchy and nicely padded (no extra padding required).. Easiest tape I've ever installed.
Half the price of the Grepp tape. 26, five stare rave reviews on Amazon. Easily removed although I don't know how many times you could do it.
schnurrp is offline  
Reply
Old 12-09-25 | 12:12 PM
  #17  
jack pot's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1,360
From: falfurrias texas

Bikes: wabi classic (stolen & recovered)

why do people fret over not quite perfectly wrapped BAR TAPE .............. if you got good gloves you can't feel any difference
jack pot is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-25 | 10:46 AM
  #18  
genejockey's Avatar
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23,552
Likes: 17,030
From: SF Bay Area

Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

Originally Posted by jack pot
why do people fret over not quite perfectly wrapped BAR TAPE .............. if you got good gloves you can't feel any difference
Satisfaction in a job well done, as opposed to the lack of same when done slap-dash.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."

"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
genejockey is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.