Wrapping bars - tips plz

Wow, people on her actually know how the wrap bars?

The number of wank bare-bars on bikes I've seen on here must have me mistaken.

I do hope you jest sir?
Some of us rock bare bars because vintage / shiny chrome is hottt.
And getting glue off a prestine set of bars isn't fun.

I've always fancied using my leather tape, but never on perfect chrome.

the crazy plastic colors brings back fond memories.

I think that's why i like it still...it brings back fond memories of going into the local bike shop with my dad and only having a few quid but wanting to buy something....back then there were so many colours and patterns of vinyl tape around.
I bought white with black skulls for my cyclocross race bike once....ahh...those were the days....:)

Benotto cello tape job... mmm... plastic.

I bought white with black skulls for my cyclocross race bike once....ahh...those were the days....:)

I remember when I was an ankle biter there wasn't as many options you had your opaque colors, some sort of opalescent clear colored ones and the sparkley metal flake ones.

Benetto cello tape job... mmm... plastic.

Did you use a match or lighter to melt and secure the ends?

Benetto cello tape job... mmm... plastic.

Are those Super Record levers I see???? Or the Dia Compe knock off? Which look great too. Those are over caps! I haven't seen those in a while. Plugs plugs plugs...

velo - shimano 600 arabesque with dia-compe NOS hoods.
@ dmczome - tape started off by the stem, one complete wrap before turning the tape at an angle. looks nice except for the damaged handlebar centre section (near the Criterium logo) ends are covered in the original rubbery caps that came with the tape (from Tour de ville)
I'm going to post this teaser pic again just incase velosniper is interested:

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£4-7 in lots of pretty colours... on Ebay a bit swell.
I almost bought the Red/Black/Yellow stripey version.. glad I didn't.

For me nicely wrapped bars are the icing on the cake.
I went for sewn-ons for my last build to reflect hand-made-ness. I would really like to try the cloth tape followed by shellac technique.

May even try and combine a biege and a dark brown tape (to match saddle) and try and achieve something like this.

cork tape ftw! not the prettiest, but comfortable :)

Is that a Schwinn Paramount?

Is that a Schwinn Paramount?

Its a paramount with rivendale noodle bars (pic knicked from t'internet)

I use toshi black leather tape.
and no matter how I wrap the bars the tape creeps at the bends where I keep my hands often and exposes the bar underneath after 2-3 months of riding.

I am considering pre-wrapping the bars with friction tape and then wrapping the leather on. friction tape, of course, is a cloth double sided tape that is very thin and used in electrical applications. I figure the extra adhesive will prevent the leather tape from moving.

has anyone tried this before? or even had my problem?

sounds like a good plan.

I was considering how feasible it would be to wrap my handlebars in Kevlar, since it would be really tough and hard wearing and resist tearing when u crash whatever..

It seems possible given that you can readily buy a roll of kevlar.... Bit of rubber glue and your off i would say

Ive always wrapped starting at the top and not used any securing tape, just tucked the beginning under and the last bit under the bar plug.

Always worked very well for me, even with recycled barely sticky handlebar tape - its never come off or moved position which seems to be the reason given for starting at the bottom.

If anyone is interested in using twine to finish off their cloth bar tape, this video gives a good example of how to do it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGC7zS9jY04

Just need to get some shellac now and I'm sorted

I have cork tape on my bars and my last job has lasted almost three years. I do have a bit of electrical tape just because I prefer it to the TT strips of tape that came with it. I like to wrap as evenly as I can because I like to ride bare handed. I think it's about time for a change though.

Never used to last that long though until I discovered how to put it on properly. You need to get it warm first. Do it on a warm day or hold the tape above a boiling kettle. Then it's getting the amount of overlap just right so that the sticky part actually goes onto your bars. And of course the stretching, which is easier when it's warm. Hope I haven't lost my skills though as it's been a while.

If it's old school you're after, it's all about the Tressostar - super tresse pour guidons on Flickr - Photo Sharing!@@AMEPARAM@@http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3282269507_ce821642bc.jpg?v=0@@AMEPARAM@@3282269507@@AMEPARAM@@ce821642bc

Good tip Arup. I also recommend the insulation tape sticky side up prewrap method. Makes your tape super secure.

I have cork tape on my bars and my last job has lasted almost three years. I do have a bit of electrical tape just because I prefer it to the TT strips of tape that came with it. I like to wrap as evenly as I can because I like to ride bare handed. I think it's about time for a change though.

Never used to last that long though until I discovered how to put it on properly. You need to get it warm first. Do it on a warm day or hold the tape above a boiling kettle. Then it's getting the amount of overlap just right so that the sticky part actually goes onto your bars. And of course the stretching, which is easier when it's warm. Hope I haven't lost my skills though as it's been a while.

+1
or hair-dryer

If it's old school you're after, it's all about the Tressostar - super tresse pour guidons

I use that (in black). You're pretty 'in touch' with the bars! There is zero cushioning.

I bought a load from Roberto.

+1
or hair-dryer

Tart.

I'm about to Brooks my risers, I have a feeling I'm going to fuck it up though...