yannisg

I wrap my tape by starting at the top, tucking the start end underneath the tape, and ending at the bottom.
This way I avoid using the sticky tape which sometimes loosens with wear etc.
I know this is not the conventional way to wrap bar tape, but the only disadvantage of starting on the top is if you need to replace shifter or brake cables you have to remove all the tape otherwise you just remove it up to the shifter.
Views are appreciated.

MikeWMass

I find that when I ride, my hand pressure is out and down. Wrapping it your way, I pull up the edges of the tape. Wrapping from the ends up, the overlap is the other way, and not a problem.

Secret Squirrel

+1 bottom to top. keeps the tape from gapping on the top corner from my hand pressure

DiabloScott

This is why they make replacement trim tape.

_ForceD_

This is the way I've wrapped for years. I think it looks cleaner without the adhesive tape...that usually comes off as you said. Never have any issues with the edges rolling up due to hand pressure as long as I keep it tight enough.

Dan

BluFalconActual

I know I am new to this (hence the large red "Newbie" label under my name), but isn't trim tape nothing more than electrical tape? I just re wrapped my bars yesterday an used straight up electrical tape because I wanted to wrap it really well and the supplied 4 inches of trim tape that came with the wrap wasn't enough.

DiabloScott

Mostly. Although the stuff at the art supply store comes in more colors and shapes. It does get kind of gummy after a while but the new trim tape covers up the gummy stuff every time.

_ForceD_

Electrical tape adhesive gets really soft when it gets warm...like on a hot summer day, and/or when it's been warmed by your hands. That causes it to come un-stuck usually. The trim tape that comes with the bar tape (usually) has an adhesive that is stickier, and doesn't get that way. And they only give a few inches per side because if everything is done correctly that's all you should need.

Dan

fietsbob

+1) I've been in the bottom to top Clan for 30 + years.. (I use bar end shifters)

You can seek out Self Fusing tape to finish it.

yannisg

I've never had a problem with the bar tape loosening. I always wrap it from back to front on top so the hand pressure doesn't loosen it.

dsbrantjr

+1, self-fusing silicone tape, 1001 uses. Sticks to itself so no adhesive to bleed or get sticky. Comes off clean with a razor blade.

79pmooney

I go bottom to top, use electrical tape to finish. I rarely rife with my hand that far in so it getting soft in hot weather in not much of an issue and it is so cheap, replacing it isn't a big deal.

One thing I do obsess over is how I wrap it. The bar tape itself I wrap as follows - I start from the right side bar end counter clockwise looking from the rear, left side opposite so the tape comes across the top of the bar end pointing in. I wrap the electrical tape in the same direction as the bar tape, three times around and finish just behind the brake cable under the tops. That way the tape is coming over the tops pointing back and my wrists tend to tighten both the bar tape and electrical tape when I pull on them hill climbing on the tops.

Ben

DiabloScott

The way I remember this is that wherever your thumbs point where you grab the bars, that's the direction the tape should wrap at that location.

79pmooney

Thumbs up! I haven't heard that but I like!

Ben

corrado33

That's actually incorrect, as much as I fear to disagree with Scott.

On the drops, it's opposite of what you say. Think about it, if you're in the drops you are twisting OUT (down on the outside of the bar), therefore the bars need to be wrapped in that direction. When you on the tops you're twisting DOWN (like a motorcycle throttle), therefore the bars need to be wrapped in that direction.

In the latter, the bars are wrapped in the direction of you thumbs, in the former, it's opposite.

You always wrap in the direction that you grip or the direction that the force is going. So if the force is going clockwise (in the drops on the right hand side) that's how you wrap. If you wrap it the other way, you are effectively "unravelling" the wrap when you REALLY grip the bars.

Also, a trick to keep the finishing tape (at the top) from unraveling is to heat up the end of a spoke with a lighter, then burn in two short "slots" into the tape (with the hot end of the spoke). It'll melt all the layers of the tape together and make it near impossible to unravel.

Lastly, a trick if you crash a lot and tear up your bar tape. Wrap the bar FIRST with electrical tape INSIDE OUT. So wrap with the sticky side UP, not down. Then wrap the bar normally with bar tape. Now whenever you tear your bar tape it'll stay put because it'll be attached to the upside down tape underneath of it.

I follow this site when I get confused. As far as I know, it's the "correct" way to wrap bar tape. But of course, to each their own.


EDIT: This site goes over wrapping the RIGHT side of the bars. That confused me at first. On the left side it wouldn't be clockwise, it'd be counterclockwise at the bottom.
https://www.condorcycles.com/blogs/j...tape-perfectly



EDIT: Reading through that site, I've found I don't follow it exactly. They do the finishing tape differently. I wrap the finishing tape in the same direction as the bar tape, they seem to do the opposite, which is weird. I also don't overlap the finishing tape over the edge of the bar tape. I leave the edge naked (unless it's a light colored tape, then I'll color it with a black sharpie.) So basically the edge of the finishing tape lines up with the edge of the bar tape. I always finish the finishing tape on the front bottom of the bars, so I don't see it when riding, and I'm unlikely to ever touch that part of the bars as well.

DiabloScott

Yeah, on the drops (below the brakes) it could go either way... that is it generally goes both ways. It seems to me that I pull in on them more than pushing out. Do not fear disagreeing with me - HA!

corrado33

Interesting, I most certainly twist OUT when in the drops. I suppose it's personal preference!

TimothyH

I wrap my bars the way I used to see racers wrap their bars back in the 70's.

They changed their tape often enough that they didn't worry about direction too much unless it became a problem and used as little tape as possible.

And they never bothered with the extra piece under the brake hood. They just left a gap. They called it cleavage, and it is sexy as hell.

peloton52

Anyone use those new gel pads I saw that you put on the top of the bar before you wrap it? Just wondering how effective they are. On my past centuries I put two layers of foam pipe insulation over the top of the bars. It doesn't even last the whole day but helps a little.

sdmc530

I just double wrap the tops. Its easy, buy some cheap as you can find cork/bar tape, then wrap the tops only. I go from the hoods to the stem but I don't overlap it because then it gets to thick IMO. I keep it flat on the first wrap then lizard skins on the actual finished wrap and I got nothing but comfort!

SquidPuppet

Oh good.....I've been doing it right.

redlude97

Really? When I'm on the tops I twist forward if anything. Tops are only for a relaxed riding position therefore I'm sitting up and extending the arms for the most part, not pulling down.

Andy_K 

I always use electrical tape for exactly the reason you stated. I haven't had a problem with it. Some off brands get nasty and are a mess when you try to remove them, but I haven't had that issue with 3M electrical tape.

Sy Reene

Confused.. if i close my hand around the bar, my thumb points opposite direction to if hands are resting but not clenched around the bar.

pmt

ALWAYS top to bottom; much cleaner and easier, and it doesn't roll if you use a quality professional tape such as Fizik Superlight. That tape can last for years!