Handlebar Tape: Case Study
Posted in Blog on 15. Jun, 2008
It may seem we have found a worthy successor to the over/under debate, if it weren’t for the unsightly ramifications of handlebar tape application
Here’s what we know:
-handlebar tape is the finishing touch to any quality bike build, all the way down to the color of finishing tape at the ends
-handlebar tape should be well maintained, especially if using white handlebar tape
-part of maintaining this finishing touch is keeping the spiral even, uniform, with no handlebar showing from underneath, no bunching of tape, no gaps, and no restriction of gear/shifter lever function
This image shows a common handlebar wrapping condition, one side is in tact while the opposite side is coming unravelled. Notice the right side of the bar is wrapped , if looking from the back of the bike to the front, starting the wrap from the bottom, in a counter clockwise rotation. It is still somewhat tidy in appearance. The natural tendency is for hands on the tops to rotate, like adding throttle to a motor cycle, over the top, towards the back of the bike. The right side is wrapped such that when the hands rotate in the ‘throttle’ like motion, the tape spiral is tightened.
The left side was wrapped the the opposite way. This untidy condition needs no explanation.
Left side = clockwise/right side = counter clockwise
Tune in to the next podcast to hear the Two Johns address this issue with the one solution.
I thank you for your knowledge and wisdom
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=71
Has anyone looked at Park’s advanced techniques? Just scroll down until you get there. Wrapping the bars so that the tape is self tightening in the drops and on the hoods seems like the best way to me.
You’d think Park would show a nicer wrapping job. Check out the random pitch techique. Perhaps it is some code. Maybe the rider’s name in Morse?
Those are some good tips. I especially like the marker applied to the thickness of the tape. Next is to learn how to service those old stitched leather wrap jobs that usually accompany a bike with all sorts of panagraphed aluminum bits.
JK in NC
Thank for the good and useful tips,but I thought we were all still using foam grips.