Replacing bar tape, figure 8 or not?

KevChallis

I have new bar tape waiting to go on, as the old one is ugly!!! My question is, do you figure 8 around the lever bracket or not?

Or is it best to just take the old one off and see what is done on this one?

If it makes any difference they are Sram Force.

Thanks

diamonddog

Look on YouTube to see which option you prefer, I don't wrap using the 'figure 8' method.

andrewc3142

There are a number of ways to wrap bar tape. Some people are convinced only their way is correct, but I don't think it actually makes much difference.

FWIW I start at the end of the bars, wrapping outwards and don't use a figure 8.

Likewise, the type of tape is very much a matter of personal preference. I find Fizik micro looks good, wraps well, lasts and is comfortable with mitts/gloves.

Monty Dog

IME figure-8 doesn't work too well on modern levers as they're simply too-wide for it to effectively cover the back of the lever. I start at the bottom and wrap anti-clockwise on the left and clockwise on the right - this means that the pressure from your hands doesn't unravel the tape. Big fan of Fizik Microtex too - it's very durable and cleans up nicely. My top tip is to wrap bars in electrical tape first - means you can wrap and unwrap the tape multiple times for maintenance etc and it doesn't leave a sticky residue on the bars.

curium

What's the purpose of the figure of 8? Is it to adequately tape behind/around the shifters? I usually get a strip of tape for behind the shifters.

I wrap so that when gripping on the drops or the tops the tape is tightened.

g00se

I've found figure 8 works well with thinner tapes (like Fizik) and with Campag levers. The extra strip works better with thicker padded tapes.

ElectronShepherd

Try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlpHIERG ... lqta5AvrMx for the official BikeRadar method.

rafletcher

Look on the Park Tools website.

t4tomo

My top tip is don't take the old tape off, except for a bit at the ends otherwise it's had to get your bar plugs back in. A double layer is much more comfortable, especially on our crap British road surfaces.

I tried figure of 8 but it was a battle to cover behind the levers, so the modern lever thing above I concur with, I used the 'extra strip'.

styxd

I always do a figure of 8 since it just seems tidier than any other way. Some tape it can be tricky with (stuff without much give/stretch) whilst it's easy with stretchy tape like deda for example.

napoleond

I don't use bar tape, it's too expensive. I use foam pipe lagging from B&Q, with electrical tape to keep it in place. It's really comfy too!

napoleond

Thought I'd best post a pic though. Deda bars with Athena shifters here on my winter bike. I've done it with black tape on my Colnago, it looks quite classy.

styxd

:-D Good to see you dialled your wrapping technique on your lawn mowers cable before hand.

g00se

NapoleonD wrote:

Thought I'd best post a pic though. Deda bars with Athena shifters here on my winter bike. I've done it with black tape on my Colnago, it looks quite classy.

That's all wrong - you should start it outside-in - not the other way....

napoleond

Actually, good job I took that pic, it looks like I forgot to pack my aero helmet for tomorrow morning's race!

pinno

You're 'aving a laugh NapD. Why don't you wire up a dynamo that heats an element in your water bottle and operates a pump to circulate warm water through the handlebars?

I always buy Cinelli handlebar tape namely because you get at least 10" extra and despite it's flexibility, you can stretch it with quite a bit of force without breaking it. I use the extra to cut 2 strips to go either side of the lever. Yes, they are Campag but it is a much neater job than a figure of 8 and a lot less faff.

bobbydazzla

NapoleonD wrote:

Actually, good job I took that pic, it looks like I forgot to pack my aero helmet for tomorrow morning's race!

Nice graphics on the helmet. Did you get them done by the same bloke who did Paolini's recent lids ?

RodWatts

Should have used blue electrical tape to match the bike frame.
What was he thinking....

smoggysteve

If you dont want to fig 8, pre wrap the and see how much tape you can spare off the end. Cut around 3 inches off the end and when you came to the brake lever fold the cut off under the wrap to cover the bare bars. This looks better if you use tape with writing on a la fizik or Selle Italia etc.

jordan_217

NapoleonD wrote:

Actually, good job I took that pic, it looks like I forgot to pack my aero helmet for tomorrow morning's race!

and your rear wheel*….


*yes I know it's a front wheel but you can't see the rear wheel of your bike and don't FFS spoil my half-baked smart ass attempt

spinndrift

Figure of 8 all the way so that the tape tightens on the drops and on the tops.

If you only do it one way so that it tightens on the drops it will un-tighten on the tops.

pinno

spinndrift wrote:

If you only do it one way so that it tightens on the drops it will un-tighten on the tops.

ooo er missus.

Slo Mo Jones

Stupid noob question alert

How do the stalks attach to the bars?

I've never seen some handlebars built up without the bar tape on. I want to know if I need to remove the bar tape completely to shufty the stalks back by a centimetre or two. Or do they attach in a nice convenient way - a single screw in an reasonably accessible position - that will allow me to waggle a gap in the tape big enough to get a screwdriver in and move them without the hassle of learning how to tape the bars properly?

ThatBikeGuy

Peel back the lever hoods and there should be a nut for a 5mm allen key. Fairly sure you can get to it without taking the bartape off though it may depend on what levers you have. Shifting it a few mm's shouldn't make too much difference to the tape.
You could always take your tape off and get some practice in mind?