Half taped flat top bars - is it wrong?

magliaceleste
magliaceleste Posts: 748
edited April 2008 in Workshop
I've got some new Cinelli RAM bars (not the super expensive combined stem/bar!) and I'm not sure whether to fully tape them or half-tape them. They've got a well shaped flat top (wing) with special areas for resting your palms etc, which seems like it'd be comfortable without tape (in fact it may lose some of it's shape with tape) but I can't decide what to do.

This Russian bike shoip has an entire Cinelli bike with half-taped RAM bars and I think it looks pretty cool, not sure about the practicality though:

http://www.omnibike.ru/bikes/exclusive. ... r_id=52160

I'm sure I'll be able to get some opinions on here!

Comments

  • IanTrcp
    IanTrcp Posts: 761
    I've got the combo version. Half taped works best, I actually found them too fat and uneven when I fully taped them first time around. The flat top area is broad enough that you don't need the padding at all (that said I always wear gloves).
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    Cheers IanTrcp. I thought that'd be the case (and I also wear gloves), but wondered if there was some special roadie rule that meant it's wrong ;-)

    How's the lacquer holding up on your bars without tape on the tops? I've read one or two people had issues with them.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    half tape them!

    looks great - make sure there is a neat and even finish on both sides though!

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