Grip Tape

alexsmith
alexsmith Posts: 5
edited July 2007 in Workshop
Ok this is my first post here so go easy but I have just got into road riding and have acquired a beat up old bike.

Now this may sound as a dumb question but could any one talk me through fitting new grip tape?

Just thought I'd add I got this; http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Parts_and ... e/5706.php tape for the bile. What do I do with the short bits of tape and those long stickers?

I want to make sure I get it right so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers in advance.

Comments

  • Niland
    Niland Posts: 35
    Park tool have a good guide: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=71

    Just don't forget the (rather sexy) gloves
  • alexsmith
    alexsmith Posts: 5
    Ok so those little bits of tape are for the brakes and the long stickers are for ending the tape on the top of the bars?

    Cheers for the tutorial as well Nilland that will be really helpful.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    I probably wouldn't bother with the long stickers - use electrical tape instead as it will do a better job and you can add as much as you need to hold the bar-tape tight.

    take your time with the bar tape wrapping - it's fairly easy to do if you take your time- the park tools guide is very useful - it's also (i think) one of the most satisfying jobs you can do on the bike!
  • rafletcher
    rafletcher Posts: 1,235
    And dont be afraid of using the "advanced" tape wrap from the Park Tools site - I did on my first attempt. The advantage it has is that the dorection od winding the tape changes at the levers - start at the bar end with the tape winding inside-to-out, then at the lever go up the inside and wind the tape front-to-back (outside-to in). This matches the way the hand tends to rotate the tape and keeps it tight.

    I also use inside-out electrical tape at the bar end to provide a sticky surface to grip the beginning of the tape.
  • Ceefer
    Ceefer Posts: 77
    The most important tip I found for fitting bar tape is to make sure the tape is warm before you fit it.

    Stick it on the radiator for 5 minutes and that way you ger a really nice tight fit AND you are far less likely to rip the tape!

    It could save you as many sets of tape as I went through trying to get it right :D
    "Cycling never gets easier,
    You just go faster!" - said some bloke called Greg

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