dstrong 

1. How to start - Some of you may have seen the YouTube video of Contador's mechanic putting together his Roubaix for...Paris-Roubaix. When he started the bar tape, he placed the end of the tape flat across the hole and then just crammed the bar plug in, twisted the tape and started wrapping. I experimented with this a couple times with the old tape before using the new tape but I like how it came out.
2. Wrap 'em tight - I unwrapped the bars because I wanted to make some adjustements to my bar angle and brifter location. I wanted to take a long enough ride to evaluate the changes but didn't want to re-wrap the entire bar, so I used the old tape and just re-wrapped from the hoods across the tops. Since I wasn't really concerned about the old tape, I really pulled on it to see how much it could take and was surprised how much it stretched before breaking. With the new tape, I was pulling hard enough that the paper that covers the glue would release, making it so I wouldn't have to keep pulling the paper off the glue. When pulling, I'd hold the tape with my thumb against the side of my forefinger to ensure even pull across the tape. I also found I could pull the finishing black strip a lot more than I thought, allowing a very secure finish.

The tape is standard Bontrager cork. Here's the finished job.

palesaint

Wow, very nice! I like the looks of that tape, has a cool criss-cross look. I've yet to replace my bar tape in almost 3 years. Still looks good, but I have a set of yokozuma cables that I want to install. Might have to get up the courage to try it soon.

svtmike

Looks good! I like the tip for starting the wrap. I'll have to give it a go next time I rewrap my bars.

Sapience

???

I replace my tape every few months. Am I swapping out tape way too often?

ID64

Nice job. Except electrical tape finish. I wouldn't wrap it over the bar itself and will make it look smoother without wrinkles. Also, I think that right side is wrapped closer to the centre than left side. Just my 2 cents

Velo Vol 

I went even longer. I do not necessarily endorse that practice.

Jazzy Hands

Can you link me to that youtube video?
I searched for it and was unsuccessful.

Thanks.

datlas 

You *still* haven't rewrapped your bars?

I would say once every 1-2 years is typical, depends on the rider and also the tape type.

I have an old road bike with an amazingly good wrap job with Benotto Celo tape (anyone remember that?) that was done by yours truly about 22 years ago, still looks great. Most modern tape wears out faster though. Just like chains etc.

OP, looks like a job well done.

dstrong 

Ha! Funny...I just re-watched it (tape wrap starts about at about 7:00 and he DOESN'T start the way I thought (I was going from memory...he just sticks the tail end into the bar, holds it there with his finger then starts wrapping. Well...maybe I'll try that next time!


That's actually not electrical tape...it's the black finishing strip that comes with the bars. I spent a little time unwrapping and re-wrapping it...when I don't let it overlap onto the bar, the red of the tape shows on the inside...I chose to make the finish completely black. And yes...the right is a bit closer to the center. The first time I did it I ended up with a bulge because I had doubled it up too much to make it the same as the left...then I un-wrapped it, cut it and tried again and got it closer, but without the bulge. I decided I could be doing that all day and not riding, so I decided to let it go (even though I knew I was going to post the pic).

Now I have to go ride...it's 80 degrees, 28% humidity and light wind here in Austin today...plus the Longhorns suck this year , so maybe the roads will be less crowded!

surgeonstone

Way, Way too often. I have the same Fiziik tape I purchased the bike with-5 years ago. Probably needs changing soon but still usable.

palesaint

I dunno, if you have white tape and are anal I could see twice a year maybe. Or if it's your commuter and sees a lot of rain and is parked outside all the time, maybe...

I'll definitely have to take a before picture of my tape when I redo it. Granted I rarely ride in poor weather and the bike is maintained well and stored inside; but the tape still looks pretty darn good. I could reuse it when I change out my cables, but that's just being way too cheap in my book.