How to Put on Handlebar Tape

Not all bicycle handlebars are provided with hand grips. Drop bars, which curve down at each end and are commonly used on road bikes, must be taped in order to provide the hands with the padding and grip necessary to comfortably steer the bicycle. A package of this special tape typically includes two rolls of tape, two smaller strips of tape and two plugs that secure the tape to the end of the handlebar. The process of taping the handlebar requires patience and some skill. Taping your handlebar properly ensures that the bar is adequately covered and that the tape remains in place on the bar.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Electrical tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your hands to clean them of any dirt that could discolor your new tape. This is particularly important if you are using white handlebar tape.

    • 2

      Fold back each rubber hood atop the brake control. These controls are located on both sides of your handlebar.

    • 3

      Grab the first roll of tape. In the center of the roll is a small, independent strip of tape. Keep this close by.

    • 4

      Peel the backing away from the roll of tape to reveal the adhesive underside. Remove the backing from the small strip, as well.

    • 5

      Set one end of the roll against one end of the bar. Set the tape so that half of it overlaps the edge at the end of the handlebar.

    • 6

      Start wrapping the tape over the handlebar. If you're wrapping the right-side of the handlebar, wrap in a counterclockwise direction. If you're wrapping the left-side of the handlebar, wrap in a clockwise direction.

    • 7

      Overlap the first wrap with a second wrap, all the while maintaining tension on the tape to keep each wrap tight. Overlap so that the adhesive on the underside of the tape directly contacts the surface of the handlebar.

    • 8

      Wrap up to the base of the brake control, and stop. Grab the small strip you've kept nearby. Place the adhesive-side of the strip over the bracket that connects the brake control to the handlebar.

    • 9

      Wrap up and around the base of the brake control and around the small piece of tape covering the brake control bracket.

    • 10

      Pause for a moment to fold the brake control hood back to its original position, and inspect your wrapping job thus far. Check for any gaps between the tape. If there are no gaps, proceed.

    • 11

      Wrap the tape, tightly, over the top, flat portion of the handlebar. Determine how close to the center of the handlebar you want the tape to end. Consider where you normally place your hands on this portion of the handlebar.

    • 12

      Use scissors to cut the end of the tape straight across so that the cut ends at the bottom of the handlebar. Then cut the end at a sharp angle so that the end closest to the center of the handlebar comes to a point.

    • 13

      Wrap a strip of electrical tape around this end to secure it to the handlebar.

    • 14

      Fold the other end of the tape into the hollow at the end of the handlebar. Grab one of the plugs included with package of tape and stuff it into the hollow to secure the tape at this end.