Handlebar Tape -- What works?

[Black Hawk Down]

I'm wondering if I'm the only one who can't seem to keep the handlebar tape attached at the ends of the handlebars. No matter how I wrap it, the ends always come out of the plugs and dangle uncoiled. I wind up wrapping a ton of electrical tape on the ends to hold it on. I think the act of pulling constantly on the ends of the handlebars slowly pulls the tape off. I don't recall having this issue with my DF bikes, but then I rarely rode my DF bikes down near the ends of the bars.

Is there a really sticky handlebar tape that would work on a Cruzbike? I suppose I could spray the bars with adhesive before wrapping them, but then replacing the tape would be hell. Is it just me or does anyone else have this issue? Any ideas on how to deal with it?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Bruce B]

Could it be possible the plugs you are using are not quite large enough to hold the bar tape securely?

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Could it be possible the plugs you are using are not quite large enough to hold the bar tape securely?

Maybe. They come with the tape.

 

[Rolling Along]

The plug on my left side came off never to be seen again after only a few months on my V20c from when it was new. The tape stayed in place for a few more months. So I re-wrapped the tape and put in another cheaper plug I had. Of course the tape came off, but I did not lose the plug this time. So I re-wrapped again, and again, and ...

Finally, I just took off the left side tape at the bar end and put on a foam grip that I had. I used a bar of soap to put on the handlebar to easily slide the foam grip on. The foam grip is still there. But it does slowly work its way down the bar end. I just grip and twist it back up the bar when this happens.

For some reason the right side has been just fine. I guess I am twisting the left side a lot more than the right side. Who knows? Never had a problem on any DFs.

The videos and instructions I found for wrapping bar tape say to wrap it tight. That did improve how long it lasted on my bar, but it still came apart way too soon.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I decided to try one more time but use a higher quality bar tape with aluminum expanding end plugs. I'm also going to add some thin packing foam that I'll wrap a couple of times on the ends of the bars to make them thicker. I don't like the small diameter of the bars as it's more difficult to hang onto when going long distances. The tape I chose is:

SILCA Cuscino Bar Tape with alloy end plugs. 3.75 mm thick.

Amazon.com

 

[Frito Bandito]

Could be that a new type of tape is needed? At first I used a cheap electrical tape, but then switched to a more expensive vinyl tape and that seemed to do the trick. Another thing that might work is to put a single wrap around the plug too before inserting it.

The most durable grips I ever had on my V20 was a pair of golf grips. They were very hard to get on, and not very comfortable, but they easily lasted for well over 7000 miles. Now that my current bar tape is going to need replacing too in a few months I am thinking to replace it with Golf Pride CP2 Pro Jumbo grips. Those have a larger outside diameter than the yellow ones in this pic, and are also made of a softer material so they should not only be more comfortable, but also a tad easier to put on. Not to mention more durable. The OD on my Deda bars is larger than standard bars, so if you have standard bars then it should be a cinch.


As for installation, the first time I just used a water based gel. For the next time though, I will probably install them with golf tape just like on a golf club. Slicker than snot on a doorknob but once it dries it stays on well.

 

[Rolling Along]

I have put foam grips on my CA2 before. I used an air compressor to shoot air on the handlebar. Slides right on (shoot the air while sliding - may take 2 people). I did not do this for my V20c because I did not want to fire up the air compressor.

 

[rfneep]

I found a magic solution in shrink tubing for golf grips. I put them on my S30 and had no slippage over a few years of heavy use. This came up in an earlier thread at https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/bar-wrap-grips.13900/page-2#post-169558

Only need to replace it when you decide it can no longer be cleaned or you want another color.

I used them for the entire grip area, but I suppose you can use it to only stabilize the end region if you wish. Anyway, it worked for me. YMMV

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Great solution @rfneep. I jus

I found a magic solution in shrink tubing for golf grips. I put them on my S30 and had no slippage over a few years of heavy use. This came up in an earlier thread at https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/bar-wrap-grips.13900/page-2#post-169558

Great idea! I just ordered some from Amazon.

 

[Bo6]

I found a magic solution in shrink tubing for golf grips. I put them on my S30 and had no slippage over a few years of heavy use. This came up in an earlier thread at https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/bar-wrap-grips.13900/page-2#post-169558

Only need to replace it when you decide it can no longer be cleaned or you want another color.

I used them for the entire grip area, but I suppose you can use it to only stabilize the end region if you wish. Anyway, it worked for me. YMMV

Nice the link to a video by Ratz helps with the taping. I always have a bit of a problem, but now I know the secret is listening to Jethro Tull while working :~)