McBTC

My white OEM tape from Felt suddenly got very dirty and is going to heaven fast. The tape is starting to tear but at this point it's still intact.

I like that is very spongy and comfy and was thinking about going over it; however, I'm wondering if the sponginess will take up too much of the Cinelli black ribbon to do a good job and cover all the white.

I've got two boxes of Cinelli cork ribbon from years ago and it was interesting to notice that the price has not gone up at all compared to what's available on the web.

As it turns out, the Cinelli ribbon comes with a little extra piece to help cover the brake lever area, I guess so that I won't have to waste ribbon with an extra wrap-around levers. This could save some ribbon. Cinelli may however have shortened the ribbon knowing I wouldn't need as much given the extra piece.

So, I guess we'll see how it goes. Anyone ever use Cinelli ribbon and the extra piece of ribbon around the levers for a second wrap? Or, maybe it would be better to remove the white and use both new ribbons for the wrap-rewrap...

Andrew R Stewart 

Cin. tape is usually a few inches shorter then most other tape rolls. So wrapping it over preexisting tape will only add to the length needed, by a lot. Since the portion of the bars that you want a double thick amount is fairly small it's more common to place a section of old tape under the main wrapping only where you want it. This still makes for more length (then over only bare bars) the added need is far less then with a complete base layer.


BTW Cin. tape can be true cork, not some synthetic, and will tear/break when stretched too strongly (like when trying to make it cover more surface then it can). I use it on my personal bikes but rarely suggest it for my customers. Andy

McBTC

ok, thanks-- looks like I probably will can the white tape altogether...

JohnDThompson 

If you're a cheapskate like me, you can carefully remove the tape and re-wrap it the opposite way, so the frayed edges and tears are covered and a fresh clean edge is exposed.

McBTC

Good idea-- could be fun to practice my ribbon-wrapping skills over a glass of red wine. But overall, this white tape seems to deteriorating badly all over-- I'm used to tape that lasts a long time. I think it's because I didn't used gloves when I had the bike on a trainer and hand oils must have done some damage.

Andrew R Stewart 

John- Good luck doing that to Cin. tape if it's more then a few minutes old. It's adhesive is stronger then the old tape. Andy.

Aubergine 

I use white Fizik tape, which stays surprisingly clean. Fizik also makes gel strips that fit on the top of the bars for comfort. Not cheap but they work well.

McBTC

~$20 -- Amazon's 'choice' (Fizik Performance Bar Tape) with free 1-day shipping... gel pads, hmmmm...? Maybe that's why the OEM job feels so spongy -- even better perhaps than a Cinelli cork under-wrap.

fietsbob

I double Wrap my Trekking Bars , but I'm Old and practical and use black (Matches the Chain smunge i get om my hands repairing a rear Flat) Tape

my Road bike I got the Fizik Tape and gel pad package, the included tape is black..

there is a tape type,(Lots of brands buy and package tape from the TW suppliers) Foam plastic, with a gel stripe on the back,

The strip is not really adhesive, but it offers some tack to resist creeping, and can be re wrapped..


BITD we used friction /hockey/gaffers/ cotton handlebar tape on the metal and then taped over it, that resists the creeping

and gapping the tape in upper corner bend...





.....

fietsbob

I think the Pro Team support mechanics re tape the bars before every race day, if their guys use white, to keep them looking smart.

McBTC

Apparently, Shimano is advertising a new tape that advertises the same backing... So new I didn't see a single review.

wschruba

Cinelli (and almost everyone else, now) make a version they call "gel" tape. They all sell it as some improvement in padding, but there really isn't (at least, not outside of thickness)--the real rub is that it used a silicone-based adhesive that releases cleanly from the bars/over-wrapped tape.

Regular adhesive backed tape, I totally agree. That 3M stuff is tenacious.

McBTC

It's always interesting to see a new technique. I took the bar end-plug off this morning and noticed the wrap extends at most ~1/16" beyond the bar and never gets tucked under the plug, which is the way I'm used to seeing the job done and certainly makes plug removal (and probably placement) easy enough. I guess this approach works when you start initially with a really tight wrap and when the edge of the tape is very stiff.

McBTC

The OEM job was pretty interesting-- two tapes in one. the underlying had a bit of thickness in middle with a tacky bottom and was laid over with the top piece which was just a thin vinyl ribbon with the Felt logo, both of which are put on together as a single tape..

The OEM tapes is about 2 feet longer the Cinelli cork ribbons (which are barely 2 yards). The bar is prepared with a bit of spongy tape in on the bars-- on top of the drops and opposite the wires.

So, the end result is very comfortable but it doesn't hold up very well.

Retro Grouch 

How wide are your handlebars? The wider they are, the more likely you are going to run out of handlebar wrap.

On the other hand, you say you've got a couple of boxes of Cinelli wrap that are several years old. They have zero value sitting on the shelf. What do you have to lose by trying?

McBTC

True, my thinking as well, The drop is the short-shallow type ~5" and the bars are wide ~18.5" so… I used every bit of the ribbon but it was enough – even with a fairly generous overlap – using the 2 extra strips that cover the bar under the brakes. The single wrap seems spongy but a stiffer sponginess than the OEM job.

McBTC

Domain's, Extra Long Gel Road Bike Handlebar Tape that I ordered came tonight and in the interest of truth in advertising I certainly can confirm: it is, extra long.

Cinelli's ribbon, for example, was nearly 2 yards. This tape is >2 feet longer, which really takes all the risk out of having more than enough for a double-wrap with ample overlap.

McBTC

Second wrap turned out okay and it is comfortable enough but what I could use now is some really long-lasting, tough but thin white vinyl tape -- no padding needed at this point -- to go over the whole thing so that it all lasts a long time.

fietsbob

I double layer wrap my trekking bars....



So, going to put rubber gloves in your patch kit now, to keep the white tape clean? or have minions fix your flats?

Chombi1 

Just a note about today's Cinelli cork tapd......
It did not go up in price as they moved production to Taiwan. And unfortunately along with the move of production, the quality of the tape had gone down. The Taiwan made cork Cinelli tape does not have as much of a taper to the edges of the tape than the original. If you look at the new version of the tape closely, there's actually hardly any taper (thinning down to the edges). This results in a not so nice looking lumpy taping job when you install it. Very visible ugly bumps between each turn of the tape, in contrast to the smooth profile through the whole handlebar that the originals had.
Been a loyal user of Cinelli cork tape since the late 80's........ not anymore after this cheap move on their product recently..... Don't fix it if it isn't broken Cinelli!

TimothyH

No need to double wrap. Just use ZIPP Service Course CX tape. Thick. Cushy. Not tacky. One wrap and you are done. $17/box and will last years.

And forget about the extra piece under the brake hood. It is a waste of time.


-Tim-

McBTC

Good point-- next time... I think I'll go with foam Grab-Ons

McBTC

...red, black or white padded bar tape comes with two 1.9 m rolls...

Sounds like plenty of length-- save a lot of hassles!