Wrapped bars, issue with bar plugs
 

Wrapped handlebars for the first time and it came out pretty nice. However, I didn't leave enough extra tape at the bar ends to insert the excess in the bar tube. I only have about 1/4 - 3/8" of tape at the ends of the bars.

Is there a technique for getting the plugs and tape into the inner bar? I am using Specialized S-wrap HD.

You could always try adding a little bit of electrical tape at the end. If this doesn't work you may have to bite the bullet and redo it. I usually tuck the bar ends and plug them as soon as I have a solid start.

Most people start the wrap at the bar end, and don't run into this problem.

Tape is thicker than it used to be. I no longer try to tuck the end into the bar because it usually leaves a bulge. I wrap it flush with the bar end and enhance the plug as needed for a tight fit. JMO.

Good idea. I'll give it a try.

As did I. I just didn't leave enough off the edge, and didn't think to try to insert the plugs before going to much further up the bar.

So you just cut the tape and leave a bare metal edge at the end of the tube, that's hopefully covered by the plug?

Remove it and start over. :innocent:

I've done that a couple of times. Cut the wrap flush with the ends of the bars. Shove the plug in. If the plug needs extra thickness to hold I'll just wrap electrical tape around the inside of the plug. Some expander plugs don't need the bar wrap or electrical tape for extra thickness -- there's an Allen bolt or other method for adjusting the expander plug, like an old school quill stem.

One of my favorite bar wraps is Arundel Synth Gecko -- very comfortable but very thick. Plugs won't fit without chewing up the ends of the wrap, so it's easier to cut it flush, or use matching color electrical tape at the bar end, then inserting the plug.

Same problem if we double wrap -- the inner wrap needs to be cut flush with the handlebar ends, then the overwrap is held with the plugs.

You can cut it, or just wrap it without overhang from the start.

The metal edge shouldn't be a problem. The "cap" of a bar-end plug protrudes from the bar-end hole, and usually has a diameter similar to that of a road handlebar (23.8mm).

Figured it out with a little electrical tape. Lesson learned.

Sorry, my mistake.

It sounded like you had started at the stem area, and ran out of tape. Some people start at the stem, because it eliminates the need for finishing tape(but it leads to other problems).

No worries. My OP wasn't clear.

To keep tape from working loose at the plug
I use a narrow strip of Gorilla Tape. Other duct tape should work. It holds better than electrical tape for this.

Start at the bottom side of the bar end. The tape should overlap the bar for just half of it's width. Use the narrow piece of duct tape over the cut end of the bar tape to attach to the bar.

Now do a full wrap, keeping the same half of the tape past the bar end. Pull it quite tight.

Start spiraling up the bar after this full wrap, with a little less tension.

There's plenty of tape to push into the bar end. And I like the plugs that have a central screw to tighten them -- these are easier to insert or remove, and more secure.

Bar end plugs are NOT needed to secure the wrap/tape. Don't tuck anything into the bar. No need to use sticky (electrical/duct/packing) tape either. Just start at the bar end, wrap 360 degrees without any angle, then start the angle/turn up the bar. Only electrical tape needed is at the finish end - near the stem. Oh, and use 3M - it's so much nicer when it's time to rewrap later. Clear packing tape is great for holding the cables to the bar before wrapping.

Last tip... When wrapping the electrical tape at the finish end - first wrap is sorta tight, but the last few are NOT. If you pull/stretch the tape, it'll slide and give up over time... little time.

3m tape(33+ if I remember correctly) is the only finishing tape worth using.

+1+1
I've seen some suggest a non-tucked flush cut solution, but first requiring a lay-down of double-sided tape at the bar end -- stopping the possibility of self-unwinding. I figure this is probably hard to get rid of on the next wrap job though.

Starting at the stem end is neater. It's no problem at all if you use tape that is made of a couple of layers; the outside layer usually stretches less than the foam, so when you pull it tight enough the edges bite in and won't curl.