Bar ends and thick bar tape

For discussions about bikes and equipment.
Post Reply
nageVehT
Posts: 3
Joined: 3 May 2020, 9:04am

Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by nageVehT »

Hi all - new to the forum so hello! I searched and couldn’t find anything on this. I’ve just got my first gravel bike and I’ve put the bar tape on. All the videos online from Park and other said to start at the end of the bars and work in. They said to lap the tape over the end of the bars then tuck it in and then push the bar end in to secure it. Now the bar tape that came with my Cannondale is very thick and it’s nigh on impossible to bend it around the whole circumference of the bar whilst pushing the bar end in. Does anyone have hints on how to do this with the bar tape - it’s more like thick foam/rubber than tape. Thanks!
peetee
Posts: 4292
Joined: 4 May 2010, 10:20pm
Location: Upon a lumpy, scarred granite massif.

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by peetee »

I have done this job many times and always start at the bar end so that the overlap faces downwards and the tape doesn’t curl over with downward pressure of the hands.
At each end start at the top face and wrap inward. Start square to the bar so you have 5mm of tape edge inside the end bungs then start along the bar wrapping with a small amount of tension in the tape and 5 to 10mm of overlap. Be aware some tape is barely long enough so make use of the two short sections around the shifter clamps (hold the ends down with insulation tape). This will allow you to continue the direction of spiral past the brake lever and avoid using more tape by doing a figure of 8. Also this allows the tape to end facing backwards which reduces the likelihood of unwrapping when pulling with hands ‘on the tops’. Finish with a diagonal cut of the tape so it finishes square to the bar and for max neatness it should end under the bar. Use insulation tape not the rigid rubbish that comes with most tape and cut the corners off to prevent snagging.
Last edited by peetee on 3 May 2020, 1:42pm, edited 6 times in total.
The older I get the more I’m inclined to act my shoe size, not my age.
Jdsk
Posts: 24627
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by Jdsk »

If I can't make a nice tuck into the end with the plug in then I cut the tape off square and run a single width of adhesive tape around the end.
peetee wrote:I have done this job many times and always start at the bar end so that the overlap faces downwards and the tape doesn’t curl over with downward pressure of the hands.

Me too.

Jonathan
Brucey
Posts: 44513
Joined: 4 Jan 2012, 6:25pm

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by Brucey »

if you are wrapping inwards (i.e. towards the bar centre), there is something to be said for starting the wrap with a tapered cut in the tape end, and little or no overlap into the end of the handlebar. If you have some double-sided tape a little of this helps secure the start, even with tape that isn't very sticky and/or you don't want to overlap much because it is very thick.

IMHO you are always best off using end plugs bought separately, preferably of the expanding type; these can stay when you renew the tape. If you use the (almost invariably crappy) plugs that come with the tape, and start the wrap with a tapered cut as suggested, the plugs (which would otherwise be very loose in the bar) can be fitted in the bar ends using small offcuts of tape, when you have finished the main wrap. The plugs that come with tape are usually so poor that they are easily knocked out of the bar ends, and if you use them to secure the start of the wrap then this can cause the whole lot to start unravelling.

FWIW some tapes work very well when wrapped outwards, but not all. An advantage of wrapping inwards is that in some cases it is possible to unwrap the tape from the tops, then maintain/replace brake and gear cable housings beneath, then rewrap using the original tape.

cheers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
reohn2
Posts: 45158
Joined: 26 Jun 2009, 8:21pm

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by reohn2 »

peetee wrote:I have done this job many times and always start at the bar end so that the overlap faces downwards and the tape doesn’t curl over with downward pressure of the hands.
At Each end start at the top face and wrap inward. Be aware some tape is barely long enough so make use of the two short sections around the shifter clamps (hold the ends down with insulation tape). This will allow you to continue the direction of spiral past the brake lever and avoid using more tape by doing a figure of 8. Also this allows the tape to end facing backwards which reduces the likelihood of unwrapping when pulling with hands ‘on the tops’. Finish with a diagonal cut of the tape so it finishes square to the bar and for max neatness it should end under the bar. Use insulation tape not the rigid rubbish that comes with most tape and cut the corners off to prevent snagging.

Spot on! :wink:
-----------------------------------------------------------
"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
nageVehT
Posts: 3
Joined: 3 May 2020, 9:04am

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by nageVehT »

Hi thanks for the replies, I didn’t get notification that anyone had replied!
User avatar
fausto99
Posts: 952
Joined: 19 Sep 2011, 10:06am
Location: NW Kent

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by fausto99 »

nageVehT wrote:...Now the bar tape that came with my Cannondale is very thick and it’s nigh on impossible to bend it around the whole circumference of the bar whilst pushing the bar end in. Does anyone have hints on how to do this with the bar tape - it’s more like thick foam/rubber than tape. Thanks!

Yup! It’s very fiddly, may take quite a few goes and would be easier with three or four hands!
MikeDee
Posts: 745
Joined: 11 Dec 2014, 8:36pm

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by MikeDee »

I wish someone would come up with a tool to get an even bar wrap.
mattsccm
Posts: 5101
Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by mattsccm »

I prefer the screw in type rubber plugs but if I do use a push in one I feel that a smack from a rubber mallet is essential. If it doesn't need that it isn't tight enough. Smack it one.
PaulS
Posts: 105
Joined: 26 Jan 2012, 6:45am
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: Bar ends and thick bar tape

Post by PaulS »

I use these from HubJub. Loosen the screw to the end, push the bung into your handlebar as far as it will go. Then with an allen key or blunt screwdriver stuff the bar tape in to the gap behind the bung. Then tighten up the cap to hold it all in place (and keep stuffing the bar tape in). Makes a very neat job, even with really thick bar tape. (And they look pretty).

https://www.hubjub.co.uk/nitto-ec-01-ba ... -132-p.asp
Attachments
HubJub_ends.JPG
HubJub_ends.JPG (6.16 KiB) Viewed 175 times
Post Reply