first drop bar tape attempt... how long to live with my ineptitude?!?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,157
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Liked 1,506 Times
in
762 Posts
first drop bar tape attempt... how long to live with my ineptitude?!?
after viewing a half dozen videos with conflicting "best methods" for doing this, i decided on the top down approach (not too worried about pressure on the bar tops unraveling anything, i'm on the hoods 95% of the time and the drops the rest) because i didn't like the electrical/finishing tape the bike came with. tape was ripping on one side from a minor spill.
ended up with some lumps... some asymmetry (shouldn't have tried to make the second one "better"), one or two little leading edges that aren't sitting flat, and i'm not 100% sure the last bit of tape is going to stay tucked in at the plugs.
live with it until it wears out... or eat the $40 for a second try!?!?
ended up with some lumps... some asymmetry (shouldn't have tried to make the second one "better"), one or two little leading edges that aren't sitting flat, and i'm not 100% sure the last bit of tape is going to stay tucked in at the plugs.
live with it until it wears out... or eat the $40 for a second try!?!?
Last edited by mschwett; 07-03-22 at 08:51 PM.
Likes For mschwett:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,659
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
Liked 630 Times
in
434 Posts
I doubt anyone will notice. Give yourself a break, and ride the bike until you feel like having a re-do.
I recently did my second wrap job on a set of "trekking" bars, and while I think I did an all-right job, I somehow managed to wrap the second side so the "Easton" name doesn't appear on the tape.
I'll live with this...
Both sides started and wrapped the same way, but the brand imprint is covered on the right side. :-(
I recently did my second wrap job on a set of "trekking" bars, and while I think I did an all-right job, I somehow managed to wrap the second side so the "Easton" name doesn't appear on the tape.
I'll live with this...
Both sides started and wrapped the same way, but the brand imprint is covered on the right side. :-(
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,681
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Liked 797 Times
in
446 Posts
after viewing a half dozen videos with conflicting "best methods" for doing this, i decided on the top down approach (not too worried about pressure on the bar tops unraveling anything, i'm on the hoods 95% of the time and the drops the rest) because i didn't like the electrical/finishing tape the bike came with. tape was ripping on one side from a minor spill.
ended up with some lumps... some asymmetry (shouldn't have tried to make the second one "better"), one or two little leading edges that aren't sitting flat, and i'm not 100% sure the last bit of tape is going to stay tucked in at the plugs.
live with it until it wears out... or eat the $40 for a second try!?!?
ended up with some lumps... some asymmetry (shouldn't have tried to make the second one "better"), one or two little leading edges that aren't sitting flat, and i'm not 100% sure the last bit of tape is going to stay tucked in at the plugs.
live with it until it wears out... or eat the $40 for a second try!?!?
Likes For Litespud:
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,157
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Liked 1,506 Times
in
762 Posts
I doubt anyone will notice. Give yourself a break, and ride the bike until you feel like having a re-do.
I recently did my second wrap job on a set of "trekking" bars, and while I think I did an all-right job, I somehow managed to wrap the second side so the "Easton" name doesn't appear on the tape.
I'll live with this...
Both sides started and wrapped the same way, but the brand imprint is covered on the right side. :-(
I recently did my second wrap job on a set of "trekking" bars, and while I think I did an all-right job, I somehow managed to wrap the second side so the "Easton" name doesn't appear on the tape.
I'll live with this...
Both sides started and wrapped the same way, but the brand imprint is covered on the right side. :-(
Likes For mschwett:
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,157
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Liked 1,506 Times
in
762 Posts
i liked the way it looks, they had it at the shop? the same tape lasted 5000+ miles on my last bike, so it’s not really a high $/mile kind of thing even at $40. does the $10 kind only last a few months?
Likes For mschwett:
#7
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,670
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Liked 2,600 Times
in
1,593 Posts
Looks way better than my first couple attempts at wrapping bars. I'd say you could have applied a little more tension at the bends, but you'll get another chance before too long.
#9
That would drive me nuts. If it isn't something that would get damaged by taking it off, take it off, and switch the two ends so that the label is exposed, and re-wrap.
Always remember this: there should be a hyphen in anal-retentive.
Always remember this: there should be a hyphen in anal-retentive.
Likes For Polaris OBark:
#10
Newbie
Wrapping Bars
Wrapping bars is one of my least favorite chores. Your wrap is OK but looks a little loose on the drops. When you do rewrap the bar, use the old tape and practice on another bar if you have one before you do the rewrap. I just
wrapped bars on a vintage bike, and the left side looked great, but the right side a little rough at the finish. But I
just don’t wrap enough bars to get good at it. Bill
wrapped bars on a vintage bike, and the left side looked great, but the right side a little rough at the finish. But I
just don’t wrap enough bars to get good at it. Bill
Likes For BillRS22:
#11
Senior Member
Personally I think the direction you went is the worst when it comes to the edges rolling which will result in it looking worn faster. Since I'm cheap, I'd leave it and use it as an experiment to see how long it holds up wrapped like this. If it lasts the season, replace in the spring. Other then the direction you wrapped, it isn't a bad job, I've seen plenty of techs do worse with more experience, and even the really good ones don't get it perfect, just close enough people don't usually notice.
Likes For Russ Roth:
Likes For sweeks:
#13
That Supacaz tape is probably not the best choice. It’s not stretchy enough.
Next time go with a silicone bar tape. It’s stretchy and it doesn’t have any adhesive backing so you can re-wrap it as many times as you want.
Next time go with a silicone bar tape. It’s stretchy and it doesn’t have any adhesive backing so you can re-wrap it as many times as you want.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,157
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Liked 1,506 Times
in
762 Posts
Personally I think the direction you went is the worst when it comes to the edges rolling which will result in it looking worn faster. Since I'm cheap, I'd leave it and use it as an experiment to see how long it holds up wrapped like this. If it lasts the season, replace in the spring. Other then the direction you wrapped, it isn't a bad job, I've seen plenty of techs do worse with more experience, and even the really good ones don't get it perfect, just close enough people don't usually notice.
Likes For mschwett:
#17
Guest
Wrapping bars is absolutely one of my most favorite aspects of bike maintenance! I think yours looks pretty good, tbh. But when you're ready to tackle it again, I would highly recommend starting from the ends of the bars and using something awesome like $30 Zipp Service Course tape. It's super stretchy, has a great feel, stays grippy when wet, and lasts a long time. The "figure 8" at the brake hoods and the diagonal cut at the end are the critical moves. Electrical tape is more forgiving than the finishing tape provided, but try to only do one or two wraps of it.
Until you become adept, it might take you 45 minutes to do the whole bar, so crack open a cold one, put some good tunes on the speakers, and enjoy the process!
Until you become adept, it might take you 45 minutes to do the whole bar, so crack open a cold one, put some good tunes on the speakers, and enjoy the process!
Last edited by Rolla; 07-03-22 at 11:22 PM.
Likes For Rolla:
#18
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,426
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Liked 1,265 Times
in
718 Posts
You kind of answered your own question as far as I'm concerned...
Let that decide. As soon as it comes untucked or otherwise out of place, redo it. FWIW I think it looks fine and would probably not question that tape job if I saw it in a pack.
Let that decide. As soon as it comes untucked or otherwise out of place, redo it. FWIW I think it looks fine and would probably not question that tape job if I saw it in a pack.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#19
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,481
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Liked 2,753 Times
in
1,280 Posts
I've seen worse than what is in the OP on bikes for sale that were touting the wrap as a positive.
If it was my bike, it may bother me or it may not. But finishing tape bothers me too.
If it was my bike, it may bother me or it may not. But finishing tape bothers me too.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#20
Senior Member
For next time, if you want to try starting at the bottom (which I’d recommend), ESI makes some really nice silicone finishing tape that looks good and is easy to use. It comes it’s their bar wrap but is also sold by the roll.
Likes For bboy314:
#21
Full Member
If it bothers you, unwind that tape and reuse it. No biggie. It might not stretch as much in the second wrapping but it's important to pull it tight. Tape wound from the top down probably won't last too long.
Likes For veloz:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,859
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Likes: 0
Liked 816 Times
in
474 Posts
After watching a half dozen videos and you still wrapped it backwards. As soon as the edges start curling back..it'll look rough. I'd strip it off and re-wrap it..you actually can use the same tape.
Likes For fishboat:
#24
Senior Member
As others have said, it looks good but will hold up better if you wrap bottom-to-top. Yes, black electrical tape looks crappy, but you can find colour-matched electrical tape at the dollar store, and the electrical tape AND the bar tape can be trimmed to make a clean looking blunt end.
Another option is to tie off at the top with twine. There is a trick to finishing a twine wrap so the loose end is hidden and this looks very stylie...https://www.rivbike.com/pages/handle...d-twine-finish
Another option is to tie off at the top with twine. There is a trick to finishing a twine wrap so the loose end is hidden and this looks very stylie...https://www.rivbike.com/pages/handle...d-twine-finish
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,358
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,313 Times
in
1,992 Posts
Looks fine to me but I agree with other folks. I always start from the bottom. Ride until it needs replacing. And $40 isn’t too much except for the cheapskates among us (and they are legion on this site).