urbanknight

You're either not as picky as us, or you're very efficient. I count the number of times the tape goes around the bar for each section and want both sides to match. I also want the tape to exit the plugs at about the same place on the bar, and no bulges there. I also want them to overlap by the same amount at each time around the bar. I also don't want any bare spots by the hoods, and I have gone to an over/under criss cross instead of putting that little strip in place. If there is an engraved logo, I want it to line up the same place on both sides, preferably always facing up if possible without too much or too little stretch. I also want the tape to finish rather flat on the tops and with the pointy part on the bottom. I also want to make sure the finishing tape (silicon tape, because I don't want sticky residue) has the exposed end on the bottom and out of view.

It's a sickness, I tell you.

mattcalifornia

I tried using those Fizik gel pads under the tape last time I wrapped. You can't see it, and it feels good.

Camilo

I have one bike with Supercaz and I didn't like wrapping it. It was probably the most difficult to do well of any tape I've used and is mediocre at best at stayng in place. I think I'll stick to Salsa and /or Cinelli (which seem to be identical)

yaw

Yeah I am off Supacaz since it tore open quite prematurely.

My current favourite is Most 'Superlight' as shown in the pic I posted before. As the name suggests it shaves over 50g vs the Supacaz, installs easily, and feels great.

Camilo

Getting on in years with arthritic elbows and general creakiness, I've transitioned to minimal/thin handlebar tape to padded tape with gel pads underneath. I have indeed bought and used tape perfectly satisfactorily based on weight, and it was fun building a 14 pound bike on a reasonable budget (where yes, ounces count). But now I buy tape using other criteria. But I'll take a look at the tape you mention. Nothing against saving nearly 2 oz!

NoWhammies

I have Supacaz on both my bikes. My wife also has it on her bike. After one season, the tape is starting to ever-so-lightly fray. Same goes for my wife's. Yes, I found the Supacaz tape nice and comfortable. But the longevity of the tape leaves something to be desired, not to mention the difficulty I had in putting the tape on the handlebars. I do not think I will be going back to Supacaz when it comes time to replace the bar tape.

mschwett 

interesting. many thousands of supacaz miles here and it looks brand new.

wheelreason

"Happy wife, happy life, happy husband... Screw him, nothing rhymes with husband.

wheelreason

lol

primov8

I knew I wasn't the only one like this, especially when it comes to wrapping up bar tape.

ARider2

While I agree with these procedures and they should produce an excellent wrap, in reality I wouldn’t expect my LBS to carry them out. As long as the results are acceptable there are other ways to get it good enough. The wrap the OP showed is not acceptable and should be brought back for a rewrap.

Mojo31

Wow!

urbanknight

I view it as a gray area. The wrap in the OP is full functional the way it is, but it is a little unsightly and not up to professional standards. It would be perfectly reasonable to take it back and ask them to fix it, but it's also perfectly safe to ride it as is.

I gotta say, I still find something I'm not happy with on almost every wrap I do. Not enough to redo it, but it's never "perfect".

ARider2

Me too it’s never perfect enough for me but I try not to let it get the better of me!

Zaskar

New bike, a few weeks and a few hundred miles later. Noticed this yesterday - both sides did this. Yeah, I am certain the shop would've rewrapped the bar - even laughed at themselves and apologized. But, in the time it would've taken to put the 1Up in the receiver hitch and put the bike on the rack... rewrapped.

Admittedly, this tape is less forgiving than others - not as stretchy; makes the tight corners a bit tricky. But really... wrapping a bar ranks just above changing a tube and below adjusting a front mech derailleur.



Couple points on securing the ends with electrical tapeL
- The last wrap should not be tight. If you stretch that wrap tight, it WILL pull back and start to come off.
- 3M is the only electrical tape I'll use. Months later, when it's time to un/rewrap the bar, 3M tape does not leave that sticky residue. It just peels off like the day it went on.

ussprinceton

.....just bought these gel pads today. Hopefully, one of my LBS will do a good job on wrapping my bars with these underneath the tape

zastolj

Is it just me or does Supacaz tape seem like a really overrated, overpriced product? Tried them once years ago and they were nothing special and a hard wrap. To me, easy installation is one of the most important priorities on a tape. Then it is possible to do a very nice, uniform installation every time. The wrapping process is then something to look forward to, not nerve-wrecking and does not take a long time. Another priority is that it stays put where you install it in the first place. Then almost equally importantly comes the price and the durability and feel of the material.

I usually go for the Zipp Service Course tape, which is fantastically easy to install since it has a stretch. It has a nice rubbery grip, not too thick and I think cheaper than tapes like Supacaz.

Oldguyonoldbike

The OP's bars look like I wrapped them! Well, I might have done a better job. It's hard to say.
Anyhow, if I'm going to pay someone to do something, I expect them to do a better job than I would.

daviddavieboy

They used that bar tape ?? I looks like the cheap stuff off Amazon that I have bought for bikes I resell. Being said it is not that bad and very grippy on bare hands and came with same texture pieces for the brake clamps.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SFVJB3M?...t_details&th=1

rsbob 

What comes before a first-world problem?

urbanknight

Silicone tape (aka plumber's repair tape). It has no adhesive (no sticky residue) and fuses to itself for a grip that stays put.

NoWhammies

Maybe I am just moving around a lot on my bar tape causing some premature wear. Not sure. The wife's tape is starting to wear too after two years and she rides a fraction of the distance that I do.

I am leaning to replacing the tape on my bike with Fizik when the time comes. I had Fizik on my bike prior to replacing it with Supacaz and that tape lasted for a long time.

Shadco 

Silca Nastro Piloti is excellent tape for 5 bux more than Supacaz and much easier to wrap.




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Psimet2001 

I hate wrapping tape. I'm a mechanical guy - not an aesthetics guy. I am up front about that with customers though. I will wrap and get it done if need be, and the vast majority of customers see no problem. I don't play games with people that are particular about it. If you're particular then wrap your own bars. I say as much, in a nice way, when I am checking in the work.

Not to say that I can't do it meticulously exactly the specific way a particular rider likes it - just that I have better ways to use my time if I don't need to fill that need. Like I could be meticulously preparing a pour-over coffee.