Bar tape direction

padyjoe

I have a fizik 3mm performance tape. I wonder which side to wrap the tape? I mean the perforated side or the logo side should be on top. The pattern is asymmetric, the sticky stripe under the logo. Assuming it's meant to stick to the handlebar I have to go with logo under? Thanks!

eeeee

Sticky side down, wrap from the bottom (of the bars) up. Keep a good tension on it whilst doing it and you're away with it

Cee-Jay-Cee

Gel strip should be touching the bar on each wrap around.

Alanstrainor

Lots of good youtube tutorials, as there's a couple of things to note. Especially winding around the drops to make sure you don't leave any gaps on the outside! And wind tightly to make sure it doesn't start to come loose after a short while.

topcat77

when you wrap the direction is important. for the right hand side you wrap in anti clockwise direction and left hand side you wrap in a clockwise. most people pull back on their hands when riding on the top section of the bars so the direction of the wrap will effect how it retains it tightness on the bar.

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/handlebar-tape-installation-drop-bar

padyjoe

Thank you all! I tried and got this (seems it's not as long as the factory ones). What do you think?

EDIT: Made it longer by leaving the figure 8 around the levers as it's a thick tape and has the extra cover. :-) See 4th picture.

easygoing39

I've seen worse attempts!! Not bad for 1st attempt.

Lumen

In all honesty that's pretty terrible. You can do better!

I think you're using far too much overlap. In general you should try and overlap only the thin edge parts of the tape. When you're going round a bend, aim for that minimal overlap on the outside of the bend.

Tension and tape stretch is your friend.

You should be able to do it again without damaging the tape, just be gentle unwrapping it.

Also, where are the extra strips that fill the gap in the middle of the drop bend?

Taxuser1

Cannot believe you didn't get white tape.

Start again with white tape.

White tape is the future.

Eamonnator

You have the tape on one side going in the wrong direction.
On the left side, you should have the tape going inside to to outside.
In other words, when you look at the bars from behind, the tape on both bars should be going outwards and away from you.

I have a feeling, that I'm not making myself clear, but I know, what I mean.

Brian?

Taxuser1 wrote: »

Cannot believe you didn't get white tape.

Start again with white tape.

White tape is the future.

White tape is the past.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Eamonnator wrote: »

I have a feeling, that I'm not making myself clear, but I know, what I mean.

It's very clear to people who understand what you mean, not so much to those that don't. You should draw a little picture to illustrate what you think you mean.

Eamonnator

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

It's very clear to people who understand what you mean, not so much to those that don't. You should draw a little picture to illustrate what you think you mean.

I'm doing well, to be able to type on this thing. Drawing pictures would be way beyond me.

padyjoe

Me gets my coat and run! :-)

@Lumen:
I just didn't like the less overlap. The old tape started to expose the handlebar around the bends so I decided better to go with more overlap. The extra covers there but one side I left the electrical tape on.

@Taxuser1:
I'm not really fan of the white ones! They are gone black now and I don't like the idea to get them off, wash them and they will be black again after the first spin. Have enough problems with keeping the frame clean.

@Eamonnator:
I see what you mean by the directions but despite of that the wraps going away from the headset. Is that only visual problem or going to cause real problems too?

I suppose the story with the bar tapes is each to their own. It can be applied in a different way, patterns but once you like it, doesn't come off and serves its purpose then it's done the right way. The next one going to be much easier with the experience gained here and thanks to you boardsies help! Cheers!

Eamonnator

Yes, it's only a visual problem.

Lumen

Eamonnator wrote: »

Yes, it's only a visual problem.

I don't think so. The hands grip the bars with a slight outward twist. If you wrap them in the wrong direction that grip bias will eventually loosen the tape.

Type 17

Another tip to avoid running out of tape, but get comfort where it's needed, is is to wrap quite thinly (don't leave gaps, but get close to doing so) on the lower section of the bars (below the brake levers), and wrap more thickly on the top bend behind the levers, to get more cushioning. You can also thin out the final straight section close to the stem.

Craig06

Or buy Supacaz tape. Bit pricier but amazing feel and comfort plus more than long enough. I had loads left