Bar tape finishing...electrical tape?!
06-18-18, 05:17 PM
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Bar tape finishing...electrical tape?!
There's gotta be something better out there to use for bar tape finishing. I've been using electrical tape for years, but why? Maybe I have some cheap stuff, but it's too rubbery and the glue melts easily, causing a sticky black mess. Also doesn't stay in place very well. When I have my hands on top of the bar, and my thumbs wrapped under, I end up moving the tape around, again causing a sticky mess. Again, worse on a hot day. The stuff that comes with most of the bar tape I've used is unfortunately even worse, which is why I use electrical tape to begin with. Anyone use something else, or is there a brand of electrical tape that doesn't suck? I hate the sticky feeling every time my hand is near the end of the tape.
06-18-18, 05:34 PM
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I started using this stuff:
https://smile.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Te...ous+tape&psc=1
So far, so good. It seems to hold better than vinyl "electrical" tape. Doesn't curl up and leave nasty residue.
https://smile.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Te...ous+tape&psc=1
So far, so good. It seems to hold better than vinyl "electrical" tape. Doesn't curl up and leave nasty residue.
06-18-18, 05:41 PM
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Don't buy cheap electrical tape. I have done a lot of electrical work and 3M is what I've always used. It will cost double what the cheap crap costs but is worth it. Also. Cut the tape instead of tearing it. The end will hold better.
06-18-18, 05:44 PM
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Self-Fusing Silicone Tape.
Home Depot and Walmart even carry it these days.
Home Depot and Walmart even carry it these days.
06-18-18, 05:45 PM
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3M Super 33 electrical tape.. rated for use in temps up to 220 degrees. Shouldn't be a mess on a hot day.
06-18-18, 05:58 PM
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Silicone tape. Adheres to itself and no residue.
06-18-18, 06:11 PM
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One trick is to wrap the tape around but leave about 2-3 inches hanging. Let it rest about a minute or two so it’s not stretched when you finally wrap it. Most people stretch the tape real tight, which looks good initially, but will snap back leaving s gooey mess.
06-18-18, 06:59 PM
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I could never get the finishing tape that comes with a roll of bar tape to work. It's too stiff and wrinkly.
Silicone?
Does silicone rescue tape actually work well? I've used it for other purposes, it's good stuff -- no adhesive, it just sticks to itself, and is stretchy. Does it keep the bar tape end from working loose? Perhaps a short piece of 3M tape to secure the wrap end, then an overlayer of silicone tape! Do you stretch it a lot?
3M
I've been using 3M tape in two pieces. Cut a piece that's approximately one wrap, stick it onto the bar tape end, then wrap it and stretch it a little. Now take the roll of 3M and start underneath, wrap very lightly all the way around -- no stretching! Cut it off to overlap it's end. That looks good, doesn't creep, and stays in place better.
I trim the bar tape carefully, holding it out horizontally -- which angles it toward the stem, then cutting it at 90 degrees to the bars to make a wedge shape, so the edge is even when wrapped. Then the 3M tape only needs to barely cover the top of the cut edge. I don't have to stretch it to pull it down far enough to make bar contact.
Those no-name electrical tapes are junk. Gooey!
Yes -- like Sy Reene posted: 3M Super 33. It's a little thicker, and worth the extra cost.
EDIT -- I saw this after I posted:
A similar strategy. It's easy for me when I cut the overwrap separately.
Silicone?
Does silicone rescue tape actually work well? I've used it for other purposes, it's good stuff -- no adhesive, it just sticks to itself, and is stretchy. Does it keep the bar tape end from working loose? Perhaps a short piece of 3M tape to secure the wrap end, then an overlayer of silicone tape! Do you stretch it a lot?
3M
I've been using 3M tape in two pieces. Cut a piece that's approximately one wrap, stick it onto the bar tape end, then wrap it and stretch it a little. Now take the roll of 3M and start underneath, wrap very lightly all the way around -- no stretching! Cut it off to overlap it's end. That looks good, doesn't creep, and stays in place better.
I trim the bar tape carefully, holding it out horizontally -- which angles it toward the stem, then cutting it at 90 degrees to the bars to make a wedge shape, so the edge is even when wrapped. Then the 3M tape only needs to barely cover the top of the cut edge. I don't have to stretch it to pull it down far enough to make bar contact.
Those no-name electrical tapes are junk. Gooey!
Yes -- like Sy Reene posted: 3M Super 33. It's a little thicker, and worth the extra cost.
EDIT -- I saw this after I posted:
A similar strategy. It's easy for me when I cut the overwrap separately.
Last edited by rm -rf; 06-18-18 at 07:18 PM.
06-18-18, 07:33 PM
#11
Non omnino gravis
Blammo. Yeah, it's pretty much the most expensive electrical tape you can buy, but when you peel it off 6 months later, it's not a liquidy goopy mess. For actual electrical work I use the unbranded 99¢ a roll stuff. For bar tape, 3M Super only.
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06-18-18, 07:38 PM
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Another + for 3M tape here. I've never had any issues with it.
And yeah, when you finish, don't stretch it, and cut your ends.
And yeah, when you finish, don't stretch it, and cut your ends.
06-18-18, 07:41 PM
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Another + for 3M.
-Tim-
-Tim-
06-18-18, 09:14 PM
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Gorilla brand black tape. Pricey but holds, doesn't take much and not too expensive if you don't change bar tape often.
06-18-18, 11:31 PM
#18
Non omnino gravis
Electrical tape isn't used for anything other than temporary bundling and flagging wire.
It is also excellent for temporary bandages, as it sticks to itself, but not to skin. Not that I've had to tape shop towels to myself to stop blood loss or anything.
It is also excellent for temporary bandages, as it sticks to itself, but not to skin. Not that I've had to tape shop towels to myself to stop blood loss or anything.
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06-18-18, 11:57 PM
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I always wrap both my bartape and finishing electrical tape in the opposite direction (so that the tape is coming back at the top). That way, when I climb on the tops, fingers over the tops, thumbs under, I am tending to tighten the bar wrap as I pull back. I do 3 wraps with stretch; starting at the bar sleeve. Next wrap far enough out to cover the bartape end (the electrical wrap has gotten skinnier from the stretch), then the last wrap up again next to the sleeve. Wrap ends under the bar just behind the cable housings coming out of the tape. (I finish the bartape at the same place but I also cut a wedge off the inside edge for about 2/3ds of a wrap for a nice tapered finish.)
My 3 wrap finish is easy, looks decent and holds up to hard climbing really well. (Oh, and see above re: the need for quality electrical tape! 3M isn't the only source but if you do not go 3M, do your homework.)
Ben
My 3 wrap finish is easy, looks decent and holds up to hard climbing really well. (Oh, and see above re: the need for quality electrical tape! 3M isn't the only source but if you do not go 3M, do your homework.)
Ben
06-19-18, 01:17 AM
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First, cut the bartape perpendicular to the bar so it tapers for 2-3 inches.That way it finishes smooth, and only needs one width of electrical tape to finish.
I use Nitto electrical tape; dunno if it's available outside Oz, probably comparable to 3M; more expensive.
Wrapping in the same direction as the bartape, I stretch it hard for the first couple of turns with only just enough edge overlap to make the edge of the bartape a nice radius, like the photo above with the silver bartape.
Then finish with a turn or two of very light tension so it won't creep, and cut the tape underneath on an angle, with the point on the stem side.
I use Nitto electrical tape; dunno if it's available outside Oz, probably comparable to 3M; more expensive.
Wrapping in the same direction as the bartape, I stretch it hard for the first couple of turns with only just enough edge overlap to make the edge of the bartape a nice radius, like the photo above with the silver bartape.
Then finish with a turn or two of very light tension so it won't creep, and cut the tape underneath on an angle, with the point on the stem side.
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06-19-18, 08:18 AM
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06-19-18, 09:36 AM
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Another vote for using the 3M brand and not the no name brand. Also, don't stretch it too much, it will want to go back to it's original un-stretched state.
I have 3M tape that is a few decades old on some bikes. No problems. And a few thousand miles on those bikes.
I have 3M tape that is a few decades old on some bikes. No problems. And a few thousand miles on those bikes.
06-19-18, 10:32 AM
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I used the self fusing silicone tape on the last bars I wrapped and I liked the results, but the stuff was a learning experience and some cussing to do the first time. So maybe plan to replace the bad first job you might do with it after you cool down and mull over it a month or two.
Vinyl shrink tube can be found online in all different sizes and colors. That's what I used on the bars of my other bike and it was no problem to deal with other than remembering to put the pieces that are going to be inside the shift levers before you attach them or any other item that has to go on before the bar tape.
Vinyl shrink tube can be found online in all different sizes and colors. That's what I used on the bars of my other bike and it was no problem to deal with other than remembering to put the pieces that are going to be inside the shift levers before you attach them or any other item that has to go on before the bar tape.