Fitting bar tape ...... any pointers?

[letmetalktomark]

Got to fit some bar tape to a set of modern drops(?).

To date I have never dabbled with the black art of roadie bits

I am guessing its as straightforward as just wrapping the tape around the bars :?

Suggested overlap?

What to do at the levers?

All suggestions/pointers/help very welcome

Regards,

MArk

 

[Bastos87]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdK0OHaNag

this has been usefull for me

 

[roadking]

Guy seems a little"cack-handed"to me.

Lacks finesse in two key areas IMO.

Rk.

P.S didn't realise the Dutch use pipe lagging for bar tape - must be those cobbled roads!

 

[hamster]

Start at the tips, wind it outwards each side (if looking from the back, it's clockwise on the right, anticlockwise on the right). That way you get an overlap like a V with the V pointing to the rear.
This should carry on to the top of the bars.
The most important is that the overlap on the tops should again have a V the same way - otherwise the pressure from your hands tends to unwind and loosen the tape on the top.

 

[Rich34]

Take your time. Pull it taut each time you've gone around the bar, have a look as you go. Make sure you get the same width of tape onto the bar each time you go around the bars - you can use any lettering or perforations as a guide.

And if you're not happy with it once it's on, take it off and start again.

Last tip - please don't look at my threads to see how I've done mine or you'll soon see I don't practice what I preach... I was in a hurry, honest... :?

 

[dbmtb]

http://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/conten ... e-bar-tape

 

[Old Ned]

Some brands of 'modern' tape have some short lengths as extras. If not, snip at least 2 pieces each 2-3" off the tape end before winding These are to go under the brake levers around the clamps to fill any 'gaps' that would occur when winding. I like to use 2 pieces side by side (or even some suitably coloured electrical tape). Roll the hoods back slightly so you can tuck the ends under and also to allow the tape to go neatly under the hoods 'top and bottom' rather than overlap. Sometimes I remove the levers leaving only the clamps in place and wind the tape very close. When the levers are refitted it looks very neat.

 

[Jonny69]

I start at the tops of the bars and use the bar ends to hold the tape in place. It's the wrong way round like this and you'll notice when you're holding the top sides of drops that your hands will try and peel back the tape if it's not very tight. It's a bodgy way of not needing electrical tape at the top. It doesn't bother me but it's technically incorrect...

 

[danc]

I've found the Park Tools explanation to be useful in the past:
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... n-drop-bar

Don't be too gentle with the tape - it needs a good pull while it's being wound.

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

I get a shop to do it. It is one of the only things I can't do.