PeopleAreIdiots

Probably could have just figured this out myself on google (or just given it a shot) but I like interacting with you fellas better.

Ever take the bar tape off your old set of bars and stick it on the new ones? How does it turn out? I've always just used new tape but I like my current fizik bar tape and its still in good shape.

seau grateau

Mine usually gets torn to shreds when I remove it, but you might be able to do better if you're careful.

PeopleAreIdiots

Im using fizik endurance tape which is a bit more uh...leathery(?) than something like cork tape so I was thinking it might hold up better perhaps

Yeah maybe I should just try it

phobus

Yeah, it seems to depend on the tape. Also the age of said tape. I had to re-do the Supacaz tape on my gravel bike and it was easy, especially since it'd been on for maybe a couple of days. Even the finishing tape was reusable (the Supacaz finishing tape is really nice). I probably would not have been successful with the Cinelli cork tape on my fixed gear bike.

TugaDude

I've done it and had pretty good luck mostly.

jlafitte 

Rewrapped Velox classic vinyl tape, still good thousands of K's later. Same with cloth tape.

JohnDThompson 

I re-use the Bike Ribbon tape. When it starts to fray along the edge, I remove it and re-wrap to expose the previously covered edge and cover the frayed edge.

thehammerdog

I have done it with great success but the key is the removal. If it goes well all is good if not ur screwed. I plan to rewrap my fixie today as the bike is not worthy of another $20 investment in new wrap.. The old back wrap looks good enough

Leukybear 

I've done it before. The adhesive on the backside is going to stay with the bar it's coming off of. I never tried but I can imagine a heat gun would help with release and perhaps even reusing.
You have to remove it very slowly and gingerly so the adhesive doesn't take any tape material along with it by tearing the tape. Go a cm at a time and rolling the tape upward while gripping along the area of the tape with the adhesive.

When you're reapplying to the new bar you're going to have to rely on tension from wrapping the tape because the adhesive backing is probably still on the old bar or no longer tacky. Gingerly pull/ stretch the tape as you wrap being sure to tape the ends securely so it doesn't unravel.

Before you attempt it, you should determine whether the tape is salvageable or not. If the outer leading edges of tape are frayed, cracked, or dried out, I would advise against it.

PeopleAreIdiots

Thanks guys. Ill most likely be picking up a new set of bars pretty soon so Ill give this a shot and post an update. Worst case scenario, new bar tape!

veganbikes

I don't typically reuse bar tape unless I am desperate but thankfully bar tape can be found at various price points so I never have to get desperate.

PeopleAreIdiots

My wife got me some new bars for my birthday so I tried this out. I'd say its definitely doable with fizik endurance tape at least.

a few notes:
1. The used tape will have conformed to the shape of the old bars so its important to take care to wrap the new ones as similarly as possible. Obviously the feasibility of this depends on how similar your two sets of bars are.
2. Make sure to pull the tape very tight. I noticed the adhesive since the adhesive loses some strength, the tape will feel unstable and a bit squishy unless you wrap it exceedingly tight.

As for my specific results, I think its definitely serviceable but obviously a bit more rough around the edges than fresh tape. I was still able to reuse the original finishing tape which I think adds alot to the look. The tape feels great for the most part, albeit a bit less solid than it did after the first application. I think this should last me a good while though.

also sorry for the crap pictures, I snapped them too quick and my apartment is a bit dim to appriciate the black tape