How to Tape Handlebars
Remove the old tape., Detach the bar plugs., Clean the handlebars., Adjust the brake levers., Wash your hands., Tape down the cables., Tape the brake lever., Tape the handlebars., Secure the wrapping., Insert the bar plug.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Remove the old tape.
Using your fingers, peel off the existing tape from the handlebars.
Do not cut off the tape.
You may scratch the metal on the bars if you use a razor blade or scissors to remove it. , Pull off the bar plugs at the ends of the handlebars.
Bar plugs hold tape ends inside the handlebars., Remove dirt and glue left behind on the bars.
Go over the bars with rubbing alcohol and a cloth to clean stubborn spots.
Allow the handlebars to dry completely., Brake levers are located at the front of the curved part of the handlebars.
They are depressed to bring the bicycle to a stop.
The bottom of each handlebar on one side should match up with the bottom of each corresponding lever.
Each brake lever should also be level with the side of its corresponding bar.
Unscrew the brake lever to move it up, down or to the side of the handlebar if needed.
Screw it back tightly into place. , Clean your hands with soap and water.
You may wear gloves to keep from getting the tape dirty., Secure any cables that run along the handlebars with strapping tape or electrical tape.
Some bikes feature cables that run along the handlebars to the brake pads.
This cable system allows you to brake the bike with your hands instead of using the pedals to come to a stop., Remove the brake hood.
The brake hood lies on top of the brake lever and protects it from damage.
Detach the two short pieces of tape that typically come with a new roll of handlebar tape.
Place each one of the strips over the back of each brake lever.
Bring the tape up around the brake lever.
Wrap the break lever a few more times.
Replace the brake hood. , Attach the beginning of the roll of tape to the bottom end of the handlebar.
Keep some extra tape loose at the end of the bar.
Wrap the tape around the handlebar.
Move up the curve and along the flat part of the bar towards the center of the handlebars.
Wrap in a counter-clockwise direction on the right handle and a clockwise direction on the left handle.
Keep the tape tight as you wrap.
Do not pull so hard that you wrinkle the tape or tear it.
Overlap each pass slightly as you continue taping.
Make sure all spots are taped.
Wrap past the brake lever.
You have already taped the levers with the smaller portions of tape. , Cut the bar tape with scissors.
Stop wrapping the tape as close to the middle of the handlebars as desired.
Wrap electrical tape around the end of the bike tape and the bar.
Ensure that the electrical tape sticks to the bar. , Place the remaining tape at the end of the curved part of the handlebar into the hole at the end of the bar.
Insert the bar plug into the hole at the end of the bar. -
Step 2: Detach the bar plugs.
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Step 3: Clean the handlebars.
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Step 4: Adjust the brake levers.
-
Step 5: Wash your hands.
-
Step 6: Tape down the cables.
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Step 7: Tape the brake lever.
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Step 8: Tape the handlebars.
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Step 9: Secure the wrapping.
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Step 10: Insert the bar plug.
Detailed Guide
Using your fingers, peel off the existing tape from the handlebars.
Do not cut off the tape.
You may scratch the metal on the bars if you use a razor blade or scissors to remove it. , Pull off the bar plugs at the ends of the handlebars.
Bar plugs hold tape ends inside the handlebars., Remove dirt and glue left behind on the bars.
Go over the bars with rubbing alcohol and a cloth to clean stubborn spots.
Allow the handlebars to dry completely., Brake levers are located at the front of the curved part of the handlebars.
They are depressed to bring the bicycle to a stop.
The bottom of each handlebar on one side should match up with the bottom of each corresponding lever.
Each brake lever should also be level with the side of its corresponding bar.
Unscrew the brake lever to move it up, down or to the side of the handlebar if needed.
Screw it back tightly into place. , Clean your hands with soap and water.
You may wear gloves to keep from getting the tape dirty., Secure any cables that run along the handlebars with strapping tape or electrical tape.
Some bikes feature cables that run along the handlebars to the brake pads.
This cable system allows you to brake the bike with your hands instead of using the pedals to come to a stop., Remove the brake hood.
The brake hood lies on top of the brake lever and protects it from damage.
Detach the two short pieces of tape that typically come with a new roll of handlebar tape.
Place each one of the strips over the back of each brake lever.
Bring the tape up around the brake lever.
Wrap the break lever a few more times.
Replace the brake hood. , Attach the beginning of the roll of tape to the bottom end of the handlebar.
Keep some extra tape loose at the end of the bar.
Wrap the tape around the handlebar.
Move up the curve and along the flat part of the bar towards the center of the handlebars.
Wrap in a counter-clockwise direction on the right handle and a clockwise direction on the left handle.
Keep the tape tight as you wrap.
Do not pull so hard that you wrinkle the tape or tear it.
Overlap each pass slightly as you continue taping.
Make sure all spots are taped.
Wrap past the brake lever.
You have already taped the levers with the smaller portions of tape. , Cut the bar tape with scissors.
Stop wrapping the tape as close to the middle of the handlebars as desired.
Wrap electrical tape around the end of the bike tape and the bar.
Ensure that the electrical tape sticks to the bar. , Place the remaining tape at the end of the curved part of the handlebar into the hole at the end of the bar.
Insert the bar plug into the hole at the end of the bar.
About the Author
Timothy Myers
Specializes in breaking down complex crafts topics into simple steps.
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