This is your HANDLEBAR TAPE
This is what it does: It wraps the handlebars on your road bike, and the base and aero bars on your tri bike. It covers and tidies the shift and brake cables, and gives something nicer than bare metal to grip when riding.
These are the different brands/sizes/types: Widely available from many different brands, including handlebar manufacturers such as ITM, FSA, and Cinelli, and in a myriad of colors. Comes in a couple of different materials, including cork and gel padded for comfort. Cinelli do a glow in the dark tape for commuting purposes.
This is what happens if it breaks/dies on you: You replace it.
This is how you replace it: Things you will need to change bar tape: Scissors, electrical tape in suitable color, bar tape and end plugs.
- Ensure the bar is as clean as possible, and that you have removed as much of the debris/glue of the old tape as possible.
- Ensure that the cables running along the bar are secure. Small strips of electrical tape are ideal for this.
- Start the roll at the end of the bar. Begin the tape with an overlap of the end of the bar. This overlap will be stuffed in the bar later, and the bar plug wedged in to secure it.
- The right bar should be wrapped counter-clockwise and the left bar clockwise, when looking from the back of the bike. This is because you naturally pull backwards on the top of the bar, and this wrapping style prevents the tape unwinding.
- If the tape has an adhesive backing, overlap so the adhesive is on the bar.
- It helps maintain a tight bar wrap by pulling the tape as you wrap, but too much force in pulling may break the tape. You often need to work the tape by pulling and backing up until it lies down nicely on the bar, especially at the corners. Inspect as you go.
- There is often a small piece of tape included with the roll, which is used for the brake lever. Pull the lever cover away from the bar and place the tape over the back of the lever, covering the metal securing band. Continue to wrap up and around the small piece and the lever. Replace the lever hood and inspect the tape.
- Continue to wrap until you reach the point you want to end at. Wrap slightly past this point, and mark the tape where you want the end. Unwrap and cut the tape at your mark. Secure tape to bar with electrical tape, or small strip of securing tape often included in the roll.
- Push extra material into bar end, and secure using plug, ensuing that the logo is the correct way up.
- Repeat this procedure with the other side of the bar. Remember to wrap the opposite way.
The Park Tool how-to guide for taping bars is
here:
This is when you should replace it: If it rips, or gets dirty, or you get bored with it, or you re-cable the bike. Whenever you want basically.
These are the misconceptions about it : Hand comfort can be improved by simple changes to the bar tape. By using gel padded tape, strips of foam under the tape, two layers of tape, or a different tape material, you can tune the feel of your handlebars to your preferences.
It is easy to replace, but takes time to be neat. There is a strange sense of satisfaction about completing a new tape install.
It doesn't have to match the bike.
Soap and water will clean it a treat, and creme cleaner is also good, especially for white tape.
"Here's how you run a marathon. Step 1: You start running. Step 2: There is no step 2." - Barney (How I Met Your Mother)