Bar tape tape
11-06-19, 07:17 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Sunny Tampa, Florida
Posts: 1,542
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 101 Post(s)
Liked 49 Times
in
41 Posts
I've done it all; electrical tape, heat shrink, inner tube. All have advantages and disadvantages, the inner tube is re-usable, heat shrink the neatest, e tape cheap and easy.
Now I'm using self-fusing silicone tape. Best of all worlds, except for cost which is still pretty reasonable.
Now I'm using self-fusing silicone tape. Best of all worlds, except for cost which is still pretty reasonable.
11-07-19, 07:07 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,679
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 581 Times
in
409 Posts
I've done it all; electrical tape, heat shrink, inner tube. All have advantages and disadvantages, the inner tube is re-usable, heat shrink the neatest, e tape cheap and easy.
Now I'm using self-fusing silicone tape. Best of all worlds, except for cost which is still pretty reasonable.
Now I'm using self-fusing silicone tape. Best of all worlds, except for cost which is still pretty reasonable.
11-07-19, 08:43 AM
#28
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
As I mentioned in my posting above, I tried that tape and found when I rode with my hands on the bar tops I would catch the edges which tended to curl up and slip even if the tape were pulled as tight as it would tolerate. I suppose it works if you only ride the hoods or the drops.
DSCN2007 by Stuart Black, on FlickrThe bar tape itself is amazingly durable.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-07-19, 08:51 AM
#29
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
I re-wrapped my handlebar this weekend, and didn't finish it with electrical tape -- a first!
After previous wrappings, I'd use the tape included in most bar tape boxes, and then to make sure it held, give it a wrap or two of electrical tape. This time, I forgot where I'd put the electrical tape. What was in the box was long enough to make almost two wraps, more than I remember from previous wrappings. It's held for two whole days now.
What's other people's experience with the tape-that-comes-in-the-box? How well does it hold, is it really long enough, and does it hold on its own?
After previous wrappings, I'd use the tape included in most bar tape boxes, and then to make sure it held, give it a wrap or two of electrical tape. This time, I forgot where I'd put the electrical tape. What was in the box was long enough to make almost two wraps, more than I remember from previous wrappings. It's held for two whole days now.
What's other people's experience with the tape-that-comes-in-the-box? How well does it hold, is it really long enough, and does it hold on its own?
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Likes For cyccommute:
11-07-19, 09:07 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 527 Times
in
349 Posts
This is the tape that comes with SupaCaz. Whatever it is, it’s far better than electrical tape.
11-07-19, 09:38 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: se MIch.
Posts: 2,312
Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 803 Post(s)
Liked 2,981 Times
in
1,498 Posts
use both,
use 2 wraps of fiberglass filament 1" tape & logo finishing (fizik) over it.also 1 wrap under to secure the brake cables.
11-07-19, 02:30 PM
#33
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
I have no idea what the bar tape you have pictured is but, generally speaking, finishing tape is almost universally bad.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-07-19, 06:06 PM
#34
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,635
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
So for silicone tape, is there also adhesive? ie. if your silicon tape overlaps both the bar-wrap and the bar, will it stick to the bar? Or does this stuff only stick (aka 'fuse') to itself?
11-07-19, 06:54 PM
#35
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,940
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 974 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
352 Posts
It is more of a matter of wrapping technique. The trick is to stretch the first loops of the tape (to make it conform) and keep the last loop or two relaxed to prevent creep. Too much stretch in the last loop, and any tape will creep and likely leave residue, no matter how good it is.
I often use a cut piece of Gorilla Tape, maybe 3/8 inch wide and 1 1/2 inches long, to secure the end of the bar tape. It won't slip. This can show through the electrical tape wrap, but it's under the bar.
But I probably won't use SupaCaz next time. It's a bit too thin for me, and it needed some extreme pulling to get it to fit smoothly. My fingers were sore afterwards from all the pulling. It does look nice, though, and the matching screw tightened end plugs are good.
Smooth on both sides. No adhesive. It's very stretchy, with a rubbery feel.
Last edited by rm -rf; 11-07-19 at 07:00 PM.
11-08-19, 08:55 AM
#36
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
11-08-19, 09:22 AM
#37
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
That's a single example. What part of "almost universally bad" don't you understand?
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-08-19, 09:26 AM
#38
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
Yes, it only sticks to itself but it's very stretchy and there's a fair amount of friction between the fusion tape and any thing it is wrapped around. It's a bit like the self-adhering sports wrap. It's has a little bit of stickiness when you touch it but it doesn't leave any residue.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-08-19, 10:36 AM
#39
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
I understand it perfectly well. What I don't understand is why you are becoming increasingly confused with every post after I educated you.
You noted that "I've tried to use the finishing tape that comes with the handlebar tape but never found the results to be satisfactory. The provided finishing tape tends to be too stiff and inelastic so it doesn't stretch and provide a smooth finish...i.e. it wrinkles.."
I gave you an example of a very satisfactory option and confusion now reigns for you. That's too bad.
You noted that "I've tried to use the finishing tape that comes with the handlebar tape but never found the results to be satisfactory. The provided finishing tape tends to be too stiff and inelastic so it doesn't stretch and provide a smooth finish...i.e. it wrinkles.."
I gave you an example of a very satisfactory option and confusion now reigns for you. That's too bad.
You gave me an example that only is available with that brand of tape. I don't see anything on the ENVE website where they sell the finishing tape separately from handlebar tape. Every other handlebar tape I've tired...and I've tired hundreds...has finishing tape that is universally bad. That's the reason that so many people use something else.
If you are "educating" me, you are doing a poor job of it.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-08-19, 10:58 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: se MIch.
Posts: 2,312
Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 803 Post(s)
Liked 2,981 Times
in
1,498 Posts
11-08-19, 11:38 AM
#42
Senior Member
If you enjoy a double wrap, you may be interested in what was a new discovery for me and is working great- for your next wrap over existing tape but just the top part of the bars starting from the brakes....
11-08-19, 12:18 PM
#43
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
You: "never found the results to be satisfactory. The provided finishing tape tends to be too stiff and inelastic so it doesn't stretch and provide a smooth finish...i.e. it wrinkles.."
Me: Here's an example of finishing tape that's very flexible/stretchy and reusable
You: "generally speaking, finishing tape is almost universally bad."
Me: reiterating, yeah, ""Not all finishing tape is created equal..."
You: "That's a single example."
It can be challenging to educate people who are really confused, as your responses here show.
Me: Here's an example of finishing tape that's very flexible/stretchy and reusable
You: "generally speaking, finishing tape is almost universally bad."
Me: reiterating, yeah, ""Not all finishing tape is created equal..."
You: "That's a single example."
It can be challenging to educate people who are really confused, as your responses here show.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-08-19, 01:49 PM
#44
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
Please don't feed the trolls.
Likes For pdlamb:
11-08-19, 02:35 PM
#45
Hoards Thumbshifters
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Posts: 1,157
Bikes: '23 Black Mtn MC, '87 Bruce Gordon Chinook, '08 Jamis Aurora, '86 Trek 560, '97 Mongoose Rockadile, & '91 Trek 750
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 246 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
192 Posts
I use black hockey tape. A little sticky at first but settles into a nice look quickly. Actually hockey tape is awesome for a variety of bicycle tasks like chain frame guards, shift grip, rim strips...
11-08-19, 09:54 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
11-08-19, 10:29 PM
#47
So it is
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 21,347
Bikes: Luzerne, 684, Boreas, Wheelhouse, Alize©®, Bayamo, Cayo
Mentioned: 246 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11401 Post(s)
Liked 4,756 Times
in
2,766 Posts
I did learn to not pull the electrical tape tight. It stays put just fine when just wrapping it without stretching it. It tended to try and pull itself back into itself if it was stretched too tight.
11-09-19, 07:37 PM
#48
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: The Lou
Posts: 340
Bikes: 82 Trek 710, 90 Trek 750, 86 Vitus, Nishiki Cervino, 1989 Bianchi CdI, 2 Nashbars, an Italian Steel MTB, Sears Spaceliner, and a 74 Schwinn Speedster. I also manage a fleet of Volcanic Patrol bikes, 83 of them.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times
in
120 Posts
I've given up on commercial bicycle handlebar tape due to its expense, thickness, fast wear, and difficulty securing the ends by the reinforcing sleeve of the handlebar. I now use Renfrew Brand Hockey Tape to wrap my bars. When I get the tape up to the reinforcing sleeve i just carefully cut the tap as it is and push it down onto the bar. This tape sticks really well and is hard to find the end of later it I want to unwrap the handlebar for any reason. I don't regret using it on any of my bikes as it's quite durable.
Cheers
Cheers
11-09-19, 10:45 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
Originally Posted by Miele Man 
I've given up on commercial bicycle handlebar tape due to its expense, thickness, fast wear, and difficulty securing the ends by the reinforcing sleeve of the handlebar. I now use Renfrew Brand Hockey Tape to wrap my bars. When I get the tape up to the reinforcing sleeve i just carefully cut the tap as it is and push it down onto the bar. This tape sticks really well and is hard to find the end of later it I want to unwrap the handlebar for any reason. I don't regret using it on any of my bikes as it's quite durable.
CheersHere're two images of my Bianchi with black Renfrew brand hockey tape. I've seen it in different colours at the store. I can't remember what other colours they were though.
Just looked at the Canadian Tire website as I buy my tape at the local Canadian Tire store.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/r...-0830095p.html
They list black, blue, green, red, white, bright yellow and clear tapes.
Cheers
I've given up on commercial bicycle handlebar tape due to its expense, thickness, fast wear, and difficulty securing the ends by the reinforcing sleeve of the handlebar. I now use Renfrew Brand Hockey Tape to wrap my bars. When I get the tape up to the reinforcing sleeve i just carefully cut the tap as it is and push it down onto the bar. This tape sticks really well and is hard to find the end of later it I want to unwrap the handlebar for any reason. I don't regret using it on any of my bikes as it's quite durable.CheersHere're two images of my Bianchi with black Renfrew brand hockey tape. I've seen it in different colours at the store. I can't remember what other colours they were though.
Just looked at the Canadian Tire website as I buy my tape at the local Canadian Tire store.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/r...-0830095p.html
They list black, blue, green, red, white, bright yellow and clear tapes.
Cheers
Likes For Miele Man:
