I'm looking for some bar tape finishing tape recommendations. This is for the "monkey bars" on the back of my cargo bike. I've used some bar tape from Decathlon and need some better tape to finish each end. I tried electrical tape but it wasn't great.
I think I need some wider tape and something that will give a better transition between the bar tape and the bar itself. The tape I used currently bunches up on the bars. So better quality and wider electrical tape might work (although electrical tape can get very gummy over time). I think some of the tape sold as finishing tape is just rebranded electrical tape (?). Does a product suited to this actually exist?
I've always used electrical tape - maybe cheaper, stretchier tape would better to mould to the transition? And do it somewhere warm rather than a cold garage so the tape is more malleable, or use a hairdryer while doing it. (edit - on the tape, not yourself).
Self-amalgamating tape
Electrical insulation tape... but the proper stuff.
Buy a roll of 3M Scotch Super 88. Yes, it's several times the price of B&Q's own but a million times better. Don't attempt to tear it (you won't be able to), always use a knife or scissors. Don't be tempted to overstretch. Awesome.
Electrical tape here too.
Boggo electrical tape does just fine, you can apply a nice bit of tension to snug it down nice and neat over the transition and it stays on.
Insulation tape, first wrap direct to the bars under the final wrap of bar tape then finish nicely
Electrical tape. It doesn't go onto the bars, it only touches the bartape. If you're wrapping it from the bartape onto the bars then you're doing it wrong.
+1 Scotch tape. 88 or 33+
Thanks all
It doesn’t go onto the bars, it only touches the bartape. If you’re wrapping it from the bartape onto the bars then you’re doing it wrong
This is where I'm going wrong. I need to trim the end diagonally so it finishes neatly, then apply a wrap of tape.
I've often wondered if slipping a bit of heat shrink on the bars first might work well. Don't do much with drop bars so never got around to trying.
I need to trim the end diagonally so it finishes neatly, then apply a wrap of tape.
Wrap the tape first then use a really sharp knife to trim the bar tape up to the insulation tape.
Do a reverse wrap, that way you won't need any finish tape
I've pondered that in the past but popular opinion suggests this is more prone to baggyness and gaps opening up. Has anyone tried it anyway successfully?
FWIW the tape that ships with Lizard Skins DSP bar tape is the best supplied tape I've ever used. Mostly I use leccy tape though.
Do a reverse wrap, that way you won’t need any finish tape
This! ive reverse wrapped by bikes before, bought one that came from Italy like that and everytime ive had to wrap my bars since then ive reversed wrapped them
Ive not had baggynes, i did notice a small gap appearing in the wrap after around 5000 miles of use, quick unwrap and re wrap and it was sorted
Electrical tape. It doesn’t go onto the bars, it only touches the bartape. If you’re wrapping it from the bartape onto the bars then you’re doing it wrong.
I disagree. Perfectly possible to do a neat job with the electrical tape.
also, do it inside, with the bars, bar tape and electrical tape all at decent room temperature