How to Apply Handlebar Tape

Give your bicycle a face-lift at the beginning of bike season or any time it needs a fresh look. Handlebar tape tends to wear quickly, but replacing it is simple. By applying new tape to your handlebars, the grips will feel more comfortable, and your handlebars will look newer and more attractive.

Things You'll Need

  • All-purpose spray cleaner
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Handlebar tape (adhesive or nonadhesive)
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unwind and remove existing handlebar tape and discard it. Pull out the plugs from the ends of the handlebars and set them aside until you finish applying the new tape.

    • 2

      Spray the handlebars with spray cleaner and wipe them with cleaning cloth. Allow the handlebars to dry completely before continuing.

    • 3

      Cut two 1.5- to 2-inch sections from the tape roll to use for hiding the bottoms of the brake levers. If you are using adhesive handlebar tape, affix each section of tape over the bottom of each brake lever to conceal the area that you will not cover with handlebar tape. If you are using nonadhesive tape, you will address the brake lever at a later step in the process.

    • 4

      Stand in front of your bike facing the handlebars. Position the end of the handlebar tape 1 to 2 inches to one side of the center stem, with the end of the tape going over the handlebars toward you.

    • 5

      Start wrapping the handlebar tape tightly around the handlebar. If your tape is adhesive, pull the adhesive backing from the back of the tape in small sections as you wrap. If your tape is nonadhesive, make sure it remains secured tightly to the handlebar as you wrap. Overlap the tape an eighth of an inch with each wrap and check often to ensure your tape covers the handlebars completely without gaps.

    • 6

      Wrap until you get to the brake lever. With adhesive tape, wrap around the brake lever and over the small section of tape you affixed earlier. With nonadhesive tape, position one small section of tape over the bottom of the brake lever and wrap around the lever to hold the section of tape in place.

    • 7

      Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the handlebar. Wrap approximately a half inch beyond the end of the handlebar and cut off excess tape with scissors. Insert the plug into the end of the handlebar, catching the extra tape inside the plug to secure it.

    • 8

      Repeat the process with the other handlebar.