I just installed new road handlebars. Does anyone know of a website (w/ pics) that shows proper application of tape? I am having a problem taping the bars in a way that gets the plug to stay in the barends.
Thanks so much!
Mike
Unfortunately, like the secrets of the Pharoahs, the secret of perfect bar taping died with Michael R. Rabe.
He was obsessed with it. I once left here at 1:00 AM while he was beginning to tape his bars only to return at 6:00 AM with him still here- taping his bars. He insisted on a perfect “mirror image” of the wrap on each side of the bar. If it was anything less than perfect, it was discarded and restarted. The tape had to be stretched to perfection, and the acceptable band of tension ranges was razor thin. The bar must be surgically spotless before beginning, with no tape residue or adhesive remains of any sort. Finishing the end of the tape was more complex than installing a Jarvis heart. The bars ends the same.
Rabe spent hours on his bar tape. One time I attempted to save him hours by taping the bars myself in a more realistic 5 minutes or less and he snapped, screaming at me “That is my own personal property- MY OWN PERSONAL PROPERTY!!!”
All that said, his tape jobs were the Michaelangelo of handlebar tape jobs.
But you can also do a fine job in like 3 minutes.
Ah yes…the art of bar taping! I used to do this myself as it seems like an idiot proof procedure. But, my LBS guy LOVES (I mean REALLY REALLY enjoys wrapping bar tape. Its the only service he doesn’t charge for and doesn’t mark up the tape, providing you use white), so he does it now…
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/bartape.shtml#bar
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/bartape.shtml#tips
I’m all thumbs on this job, but my wife can it beautifully. Her bar tape jobs are a work of art.
I’ve switched from using the bar end plugs that come with the tape to wine bottle corks. Yes, weird but most are tapered somewhat and can easily be cut with a razor blade to customize the length. I’ve never had one fall out. They’re pretty snug and you can have fun while trying to find the right ones. If you try it, you might want to pre-drill a hole in the middle, in case you have to put a screw in them to get them out.
Barry
And how do you keep that bar tape white?
Regular (damned near daily) cleaning!
I used to use white tape but have changed to black and have free’d up about 2 hours per week in cleaning time.
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wet the tape with a spray of water
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spray with a stong dish detergent and water mixture (say 30% detergent)
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wait 10 minutes
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use a fingernail brush in light circular motion, covering the entire bar tape (not just the dirty bits)
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rinse with water while lightly scrubbing with fingernail brush
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rince again.
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dry with a towel
For reduced dirtying in the first place, make sure you wash your gloves after every! ride.
Before starting to move up the bars, do one full wrap around the end of the bar with between 1/2 and 3/5 of the width of the tape. This is more than enough to - when folded into the bar end - secure the plugs. If I screw up and my plugs don’t want to stay in I just throw a little bit of tubular glue on 'em.
Pretty much the same way I keep my saddle clean…I don’t get it dirty. Although, if a lil grime keep on there, it comes off with hot water and a clean cloth. Once it shows a lil tear, we know it’s time to replace it.