Can a beginner do this?

jellikins
jellikins Posts: 153
edited January 2009 in Workshop
I want to re tape mt bars on my road bike and wondered how easy it is to do please?

Am i better taking it to LBS or should even a DIY nightmare like me be ok?

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Got to learn sometime - give it a crack.

    Just takes a bit of practice.
    I like bikes...

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  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    It's easy after a few gos - just take your time and you'll be fine. Have a look here:

    http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=71

    Buy a decent quality tape like Pro (i.e. Shimano) and keep a nice even tension on the tape so it stretches very slightly as you apply it. Finish off with electrical tape and, again, stretch it on a bit to give a nice finish.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Pro_A ... 360036003/
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Do a bit of research before you start, this video may help. Always start from the bar end otherwise your hand will push against the uncovered edges of the tape and cause it to get puckered up.
  • pbracing
    pbracing Posts: 231
    I'm sure the above links will mention it, but don't forget to put the extra strip along the outside of the bar where the shifter clamp is - else you'll end up with an unsightly exposed bit of handlebar.

    Guess how I know this? :roll:
    Why not? My bikes.
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  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    The last couple of times I've used tape with no adhesive (can't remember the make at the moment). It stays in place fine, and might be handy for practice runs?

    Edit: Checked my bar end plugs, it's Profile Design.
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Make sure you leave plenty of overlap at the end of each bar. Otherwise you won't get a nice neat finish when you put the plugs in (guess how I know this...)

    Also, as Rob says, use electrical tape to finish the tape off near the stem THEN use the 'nice' finishing tape that came with the bar tape. Red Dragon has some strong opinions on the effectiveness of the finishing tape :wink:
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    This one is good

    http://bicycletutor.com/drop-handlebar-tape/
  • Infamous
    Infamous Posts: 1,130
    get some cheap tape to practise with. £1.50 from Probikekit
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Infamous wrote:
    get some cheap tape to practise with. £1.50 from Probikekit

    The problem with some cheap tape is that it isn't very strong and breaks if you put a bit of stretch on it. It is a bad thing to learn with as a result.

    Decent quality tape can be reapplied a few times until you get it right anyway.
  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    It is easy to re-tape using cork tape or bar ribbon. It is harder with leather or leather-effect stuff as it doesn't easily bend where you want it to, doesn't stick as well and doesn't stretch much, so it harder to pull tight, especially around the curve of the drops. Remember to leave about 10 to 15mm of tape hanging over the end of the bars, to stuff inside the bar ends, to keep your bar end caps in place.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Its very satisfying doing your own bar tape. Just remember to keep it under tension at all times and start from the end of the handlebars and not the centre.
  • gtitim
    gtitim Posts: 225
    The first time I tried I was fairly nervous but it's pretty easy to be honest, and as cougie says - it is very satisfying. I use the gel type bar tape to help cushion the road buzz. Next time you ride it, you'll love gripping on to your self taped bars.

    Definitely try it. What's the worst that could happen?
  • verloren
    verloren Posts: 337
    Beginner's tip - use black tape, then if you make a mess of a little bit a quick wrap around the problem with black electrical tape will fix it and still look pretty good :)
    '09 Enigma Eclipse with SRAM.
    '10 Tifosi CK7 Audax Classic with assorted bits for the wet weather
    '08 Boardman Hybrid Comp for the very wet weather.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Another tip is to wrap electrical tape around the bars first - holds the cables in place and it makes it easier to peel-off if you need to re-do it. I'd suggest getting either the Profile or Specialized Bar Phat tape without the adhesive backing - you can wrap and unwrap as many times as you like until you're happy. As well as starting from the ends, wrap from the inside to outside i.e. clockwise on the right and anti-clock on the left. It's also worth doing the job inside or at least leave the tape on a radiator to get it warm rather than trying to do the job in the current cold.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,716
    pbracing wrote:
    I'm sure the above links will mention it, but don't forget to put the extra strip along the outside of the bar where the shifter clamp is - else you'll end up with an unsightly exposed bit of handlebar.

    Guess how I know this? :roll:
    I wouldn't bother. Just cross the tape over the clamp. Looks nicer and takes less time.
  • McHattie
    McHattie Posts: 146
    I re-taped my road handlebars for the first time last week, and it wasn't difficult at all. I checked a few tutorial videos on youtube first.

    It's very satisfying to do this job yourself, I reckon.
  • mtbhenry888
    mtbhenry888 Posts: 287
    re-did my two sets of bars the other day for the first time, easy peasy just takes so patience and time, don't rush!
    Carbon fibre, it's all nonsense. Drink beer. Ride a steel bike. Don't be a ponce.
  • wilwil
    wilwil Posts: 374
    Warm the tape up a bit first on a radiator.
    Use tape with out adhesive then you can undo it and start again if you mess up
    Check this – but from memory you wind the right side clockwise and the left side anti clockwise so that one side matches the other.
    Its important to have the correct amount of overlap on to the bottom of the brake levers

    I can recommend Bike Ribbon Cork/Gel tape. It comes with 2 pieces you need at the back of the levers, and carbon end plugs.
  • davelakers
    davelakers Posts: 762
    Ive just replaced my bar tape for the 1st time. Quite easy if you take it slow. Dont pull too hard on the tape to tension it though, it breaks.....................doh!!!

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