i used the search function - honest! - but couldn't find a good recipe for putting on bar tape. so i went ahead & did it to the best of my abilities, and now that i can't do anything but wait a few rides to see if i did it right, i'll pass along my steps. please correct/advise where necessary.
Prep:
- peel forward hoods & remove tape
- take goof-off soaked rag & wipe bars free of any residual epoxy
Application:
- at the bar-end, start in order of which bar you prepped first (goof-off should have dried)
- put small strip of bar tape opposite brakes/shifters (obvious if this is replacing current)
- overlap 1/2 a turn of tape on bar-end, wrapping it over bar as you move toward bike (CW for left, CCW for right); this will be hanging off & tucked into bar at the end w/ plug
- keep tape evenly taut throughout wrapping, overlapping previous tape by 1/3 (so that the weak epoxy is sticking to bar, not tape)
- after applying the 4" strip of stronger "electrical" tape to finish out, consider overkill w/ another turn or 2 of tape from your own stash
- plug bar ends w/ included plugs & fold down hoods
- after inspecting (and possibly re-wrapping) let set overnight to cure
i know this seems like a simple job, but unless you work at a shop, you won't get to do this but every few years. let me know where i overlooked something, and if i can go back (it's almost been 24 hrs since i installed). i'll make edits to this post as needed.
Prep:
- peel forward hoods & remove tape
- take goof-off soaked rag & wipe bars free of any residual epoxy
Application:
- at the bar-end, start in order of which bar you prepped first (goof-off should have dried)
- put small strip of bar tape opposite brakes/shifters (obvious if this is replacing current)
- overlap 1/2 a turn of tape on bar-end, wrapping it over bar as you move toward bike (CW for left, CCW for right); this will be hanging off & tucked into bar at the end w/ plug
- keep tape evenly taut throughout wrapping, overlapping previous tape by 1/3 (so that the weak epoxy is sticking to bar, not tape)
- after applying the 4" strip of stronger "electrical" tape to finish out, consider overkill w/ another turn or 2 of tape from your own stash
- plug bar ends w/ included plugs & fold down hoods
- after inspecting (and possibly re-wrapping) let set overnight to cure
i know this seems like a simple job, but unless you work at a shop, you won't get to do this but every few years. let me know where i overlooked something, and if i can go back (it's almost been 24 hrs since i installed). i'll make edits to this post as needed.
