Am I the only one who wraps their bar tape from stem down to the drops? I find it leaves a cleaner finish near the stem and makes no difference to the drop end as you can tuck it into the bars the same way you would if you were starting that end.
Sleepless nights?
Your not the only one, but if you drag your hands along the bar when changing position, or if you do serious miles, the edges pointing towards you will eventually lift and the tape will start to unwrap.
Wrap the other way (bottom to top) and take note of how you hold the bars (to stop how you move your hands unwinding the tape) and you could double or triple the length of time your tape lasts before coming loose.
If it's white cork type tape, crack on, it'll be knackered and rancid before it unwraps.
I prefer to wrap bottom up because when leaning on the top corners/hoods, my hand pressure is smoothing down the free edge of the tape, rather than peeling it up.
Mmmm, I can see your point but never had a problem with the edges. I do put fresh tape on fairly regularly (once a year at least)
edit - I just hate finishing strips or electrical tape at the stem end.
yes, yes you are (see above)
Bottom to top with modern padded tape - that way you're not against the tape edge
Top to bottom for period correct thin cloth type tape
The real argument is outside-in or inside-out at the start. Watch youtube instructions, and all the recreational, amateur and shop demos will go one way, and all the pro team wrappings go the other.
And figure 8 or cheater strip (or figure 8 and cheater strip) round the brake lever?
None are wrong, but some ways are more right than others.
My dilema is when you get to the hoods whether you reverse the rotation. It seems to naturally reverse and it gives a nice two-tone effect with some patterned tapes but I fear it may be some sort of treason.
If you’re any good at wrapping tape it’s super neat when finished at the stem end. I love wrapping bar tape. 🙂
bertie has his from top to bottom, not having to wrap, or pay for. it yourself might be a consideration for him
If its good enough for Contador its good enough for me. (saves a gram of finishing strips too)
Eddy Merckx used to wrap it like that (I have always done it top down as well).
I prefer to wrap bottom up because when leaning on the top corners/hoods, my hand pressure is smoothing down the free edge of the tape, rather than peeling it up.
This is the right way Conty and Merckx are just wrong 😨
if you're having your free bar-tape replaced every day by someone else (who's also doing half a dozen other bike's tape so is looking for the quickest way) and aren't bothered about your hands wanting to unravel the tape over time then that's fine 🙂
most everyone else, including World Champions, go from end to stem
I start at the brake lever and work outwards in both directions
I do stem outwards, so that's obviously wrong
(and I leave a big bare gap behind the levers)
((and I don't care))