Senior Ryder 00 

Hi folks​​​​​​,
The last few times I’ve wrapped bars with Cinelli tape, the finishing tape comes loose. The first time it happened, I thought that my hands had something on them. Next time I made sure my hands were clean & dry. Sometimes both sides come loose other times only one side peals back. I would expect this with cheap tape, but not Cinelli. Am I doing something wrong or is the finishing tape dried out?

Thanks & regards,
Van

m.c. 

This guy heats up a tool, like an awl or something, and pushes it into the tape to make the layers melt together in a spot so it doesn't unwrap.

Rolla

I haven't found any finishing tape that sticks nearly as well as electrical tape, unrefined and inelegant as it may be.

Fredo76

The finishing tape in the Cinelli cork tape kits was useless for me, too. I wound tops-to-ends instead, and finished with large-diameter heat-shrink tubing.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l3fzgavtwy..._2701.MOV?dl=0

Camilo

Most finishing tape is worthless, it's way too stiff, for lack of a better term and doesn't stretch enough to conform and adhere to the edge of the bar tape. Of course, the simple solution is vinyl electrician tape. Plus, using that, you can pick any color or combination of colors you want (to a certain extent).

The last couple of tapes I've bought actually had great finishing tape. One was Supacaz. I don't like the bar tape itself, because it's hard to wrap and doesn't stay put. But the finishing tape is very "rubbery" and really finishes well and holds. The other bar tape, I can't remember what it is. But it also came with very rubbery finishing tape which works well. I'll try to figure out what it is because I really like the bar tape too.

But in the mean time, I bought a variety pack of various colors of regular width and narrow electrician tape and the bikes in the garage are really quite stylish.

Aardwolf

Nice idea, I didn't realise heat shrink came in large sizes. Just looked on Amazon and it also comes in clear.

I wound NOS Schwinn tape top to bottom (because that's how it was originally) and then put a wrap of Sellophane Crystal Clear at the ends because I couldn't get the ends tidy.
I will have to investigate how clear that shrink tubing is.

Update:
Got some 50mm clear shrink tube from Amazon (50mm is flat dimension = 32mm diameter).
Went on just fine and it pulls tighter off the end of the bars which makes the end flatter so the plugs went in better.
I used about 3cm with 5mm off the end, so 1" on the bars.
Only issue is it's a bit too clear but I think some UV yellowing will take care of that.

bitpuddle

I always finish with electrical tape. One smooth layer holds well. If I want to see the logos of the finishing tape, that goes on top of the electrical tape.

MNBikeCommuter

Same here. The finishing tape has held up well over the electrical tape.

SurferRosa

The Fizik stuff works perfectly and easily and looks nicer than electrical tape. I cut it down to 9mm wide, removing the label, and barely overlap the ends.

John Nolan 

I would suggest trying a self-fusing silicone tape.

Barry2 

+1 on this stuff.
Its all I use on bar tape ends.
it never comes loose, it’s soft under your palms and there is no glue to migrate out on hot days.

Barry

smd4

I have yet to try the self-fusing tape, but I have a roll and am looking forward to using it the next time I re-tape.

To answer the OP's question, yes, the Cinelli finishing tape sucks. If you're not going to use the self-fusing tape, just use electrical tape as was the custom back in the day. It's easy and cheap. Put the Cinelli finishing tape on top of that of you like the look.

_ForceD_

I always wrap top-to-ends as well. But, never thought of using heat-shrink. I always poke the remainder of the bar tape into the handlebar end, and then it’s held in place by the inserted bar-end stopper. But for those who insist on wrapping end-to-top…the heat-shrink could still be used, and would be so much better than electrical tape. You’d just need to the heat-shrink on bar BEFORE you attach the brakes/brifters, and then work it around the bar tape as you finish up at the top. But it could work.

Dan

Fredo76

Just poking it in at the end works fine for cloth tape, but the cork/gel tape is just too thick to do that. I imagine "finishing tape" made its debut along with the cork Cinelli tape - nobody used finishing tape in the '70s, that I remember, and most people wound top-to-ends. That's just the way it was when dinosaurs roamed the earth...

urbanknight

Another vote for silicone tape. It stretches and conforms easily, leaves no sticky residue, and does not move out of place as long as you wrap it snuggly. Been using it for over a decade now and wouldn't think of going back to electrical tape, let alone those tiny strips they include with the bar tape.

DiabloScott

If you get the wide silicon tape in a pretty color, and then put the narrow black finishing tape on top of that, you can have logos, and contrasting colors both.
Then you can cover it all up with your Go-Pro and GPS computer and MP3 player.

Senior Ryder 00 

Thanks for the feedback. I now know how to proceed.
Cheers,
Van