When using this method, a short strip of tape is required to hide the lever band and fill in some gaps. Alternatively, some lever shapes can be wrapped in a figure-eight, as shown in this video that Dave Everrett captured at the Tour Down Under a few years ago, in which case there is no need for an extra length of tape. Once the bars are wrapped, there a few choices for finishing off the job.
Electrical tape is available in a few different colours, so it will often blend in with the bar tape. Alternatively, twine, short strips of leather, cotton tape, or a vinyl sticker can be used to hide the electrical tape and add a bit of interest to the finished job.
Keep in mind that whatever the choice, it needs to withstand a fair bit of abrasion without posing too much of a challenge to remove when it comes time to replace the tape. Compared to other parts of the bike, bar tape has evolved slowly, yet none of it has ever really disappeared from the market. The early era: cotton tape The earliest road bikes often featured simple rubber grips for the drops, so a decade or two passed before handlebars were ever wrapped. A few coats of shellac is often the hallmark of vintage handlebars, but usually on old-fashioned cotton tape, and not the more modern material shown here.
Note how twine has been used to secure the end of the tape near the stem. Photo: James Huang. Unlike modern foam tapes, though, the solid plastic surface was comparatively easy to keep clean. A restored Olmo Super Gentleman finished off with vinyl bar tape.
Photo: Fyxo. Foam tapes are easy to find in a wide range of colours that are also quite cheap to buy. The current era: microfibre, polyurethane and other synthetics The next step in the evolution of bar tape came in when Fizik introduced its Microtex bar tape. Polyurethane gave tape manufacturers a new way to combine colours in a single piece of tape. Leather: a timeless alternative One material that has long satisfied all the demands for bar tape is leather.
Leather is hard wearing and can be decorated in a few different ways. Choosing handlebar tape Bar tape may have evolved dramatically over the last 50 years, but none of it has really been left behind. Lizard Skins DSP tape is another popular tape that takes advantage of synthetic materials. Tips for Wrapping Handlebars In general terms, wrapping handlebars is a simple chore because all that is required is a smooth, taut spiral from one end of the bars to the stem. Start wrapping the tape at the end of the handlebars, leaving small amount of overhang.
The most common method is to wrap the right side of the bar counter-clockwise, and the left side of the bar clockwise. Or in other words, toward the frame. Wrap the tape in a spiral making sure that there is some overlap. The overlap is often determined by the design or branding on the tape. Keep the tape taut so that it conforms to the shape of the bars and watch out for any wrinkles or gaps. Use a small length of tape to hide the lever band… 5.
Once the lever has been wrapped, continue spiralling the tape towards the stem. Make sure there is plenty of overlap when making the final bend of the bars — this is a common point for tape to form gaps with use. Cutting the tape on an angle that is perpendicular to the bars creates a straight edge for finishing off the wrap.
Practise this with any excess tape prior to making your final cut. Hold the end in place and grab a piece of tape to secure it. Electrical tape we like tapes from Nitto and 3M is perfect for finishing off the job.
As used by one Mr Peter Sagan. Given that this test is about comfort, we selected the thickest, the 3. Not cheap, its lovely hand feel and Allen key fastening end plugs go a long way to justifying the cost. Ah, Le Col. And how did you also know that I want it to be about 2mm thick and ever so slightly tacky? It only comes in black? Well, what other colour could a person conceivably want their bar tape to be? Will I buy a few pairs of socks to make up the amount I need to get free postage?
But thanks to the 0. Finished with some tough, low-key bar ends, Rapha also makes a thicker and more expensive Brevet with reflective detailing.
On the rear is a 0. As the Primo name suggests, this is a premium item made of polyurethane foam with several layers. The top coating has a subtle, durable pattern to it that gives some interest without trying too hard or sticking out like a sore thumb, and combined with the foam core it measures 2.
On to this, a very tacky 0. Nothing looks quite so fast or so pro as a road bike decked out with crisp white bar tape, a fact not lost on manufacturers who also love to strap it to their consumer models.
Luckily, even in boring black, a fresh wrap of tape is an easy way to revive a tired-looking bike. Learning how to apply it yourself is easy and satisfying in an arts and crafts kind of way. Make sure your hands are clean. Remove the tape from the box. The Selle Italia Smootape Gran Fondo is available in a range of 10 bright colours and supplied with plastic bar ends. The Deda Presa is a double density bar tape combining a bottom layer of EVA to reduce vibrations with Polyurethane for grip.
This dual-density construction gives a balance in performance to offer a firm but forgiving feel. Grip and breathability are enhanced using perforated details along the centre of the wrap. These perforations also provide a subtle addition of colour along with understated black on black Deda logos. Deda includes two black branded push-in bar ends and finishing tape. Silicone backing helps reduce vibrations while riding and allows easy re-application if required.
Colours are somewhat limited with a range only featuring four dual colour options and a classic all-black version. Expanding nylon bar end plugs are included giving a nice finish over standard push-in plastic bar ends. By combining EVA Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and cork, Cinelli was able to create a thin wrap that is soft, tear-resistant and comfortable when riding with or without gloves. Available in six colours which have a pleasant speckled look.
Two Cinelli branded plastic push-in bar ends are supplied. Brooks Leather bar tape caters perfectly for those seeking a retro feel or a bar tape that matches their faithful Brooks saddle. The tape is perforated to provide some texture and ventilation and offers a firm bar feel. If you prefer more padding it would be worth pairing with some gel pads or a softer bar tape underneath. As with all leather products, this bar tape is very hard-wearing and should last a lot longer than synthetic counterparts, plus as it ages the bar tape will develop a patina giving your bike a pleasant weathered look.
Two colour matched rubber bar ends plugs and adhesive cloth strips are included with the tape to finish it off. Of course, this tape will not appeal to all, however, Brooks does offer microfibre and rubber tape alternatives that match its animal-free saddles.
As with any purchase, you need to have a grasp of what you want to get out of the product you're buying, and the same goes for bar tape.
Bar tape, while a seemingly basic purchase at first glance, will throw up many different options, each of which serving a subtly different purpose, such as comfort, road feel and feedback, style, colour, wet-weather grip, dry-weather grip, durability, and more. So to get it right the first time, you'll need to have a think about what you prioritise. To help you decide, here are a few common scenarios. Bar tape material has come a long way since the early days, but none of the early materials have been made entirely redundant.
Over the years, we've seen cotton, cork, leather, vinyl, foam, and more. Cork and leather have been popular for decades for their levels of grip, comfort and for a classic look, but they do have limitations.
The most commonly found bar tapes nowadays are made using synthetic materials which can be combined with foam or gel for padding. These modern bar tapes offer improved comfort, all-weather grip and are available in a wider range of colours or designs. Whether you're battling storms all year round or do your best to avoid the rain, grip is an important consideration when choosing the best bar tape for you.
Synthetic materials such as polyurethane can be made to have a tacky finish to provide grip in both wet or dry conditions for gloved or bare hands. Textured surfaces or perforations can also be used to give some extra purchase to the handlebar.
An element of breathability is also important to allow sweat and moisture to be drawn away from the hand and help maintain good levels of grip. Bar tape comes in a variety of thicknesses to suit feel and comfort.
The most common range is around 1. Traditionally, the best bar tape for racers is at the thinner end of this spectrum, because it offers a closer road feel and a direct response on the bike. Conversely, gravel riders or endurance riders usually prefer thicker bar tape, which will lessen road buzz for more comfort and reduce potential numbness in the hands over a long distance. For rides such as the Paris-Roubaix or gravel riding, an even thicker bar tape can be used to reduce fatigue and help with control on rough surfaces.
To add additional comfort to a favourite bar tape, gel inserts can be added under the tape, and some will even opt to wrap their bars with two rolls, doubling the thickness, although this will add an element of bulk to the handlebar. Along with thickness, the length of the tape is also an important consideration, especially if you're using wide bars with more real estate to cover. If you pair a long tape with a narrow bar, you can be generous with your overlapping, increasing the thickness, or you can wrap it to the ideal thickness and cut off any excess.
The same cannot be said the other way round; if you pair a short tape with a wide bar, you'll have to spread your tape more thinly, meaning smaller overlaps when wrapping, and thus, less overall thickness. Most bar tape is available in a wide range of colours and styles to suit all tastes and fashions. Whether you want to play it safe with a simple black, colour match with details on your bike, or stand out with an eye-catching fluro hue, there will be a bar tape that suits. Remember lighter colours will quickly show dirt and grime and require a little extra care to keep looking at its best.
If you're looking to simply fit and forget, then a classic black will stay looking good for the longest time. On the underside of most bar tapes with the exception of cotton is a tacky strip that helps it grip to the bars and remain in place, and the way in which this tackiness is applied can be important.
If you're a serial tinkerer when it comes to your bike setup, you might find that you need to unwrap your bar tape to move your shifters or replace brake and gear cables. Some tapes use a sticky strip which means that they can only ever be wrapped once, and the tape will rip and tear when it comes time to remove it so that cheap job of replacing your brake cables quickly means you need a new roll of bar tape too.
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