How To Wrap Handlebar Tape on a Road Bike

[@andyboyd0830]

Just watched you video and it was a MASSIVE help! Just replaced my bar tape myself for the first time ever, and it came out (nearly) flawless! I have to admit, I talked to myself in a British accent the whole time as motivation!

[@robertschlumpberger22]

This is perhaps the very best bar tape video anywhere on the web. Thanks for doing this instructional video!

[@DiegoCamarero]

I do agree!

[@coolhand1966]

Park Tools one is better.

[@donttouchthisatall]

The MOST BRITISH person/bike mechanic I have ever seen/heard. Lovely video, well explained. I actually was wondering how to go about wrapping the shifter part, since my (way too expensive) bar tape, didnt have those short extra strips of bar tape. Problem solved. thanks!

[@mediumrick7667]

The is best vid on wrapping bar tape I've found. I saved it to use as a refresher each time I'm replacing tape. Thanks.

[@jmounce50]

Absolutely fantastic - the best bar tape video ever, absolutely brilliant explanation and demonstration for us mere mortals who try to service our own bikes.

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@tuenygaard8075]

Totally agree, too many videos where the details are not explained and recorded from afar. Slowly explained, so even I understand 😂😂

[@RGSEast1]

Great job. Mine turned out very well. Love the British way of describing things. Keep up the good work.

[@todzilla09]

That was a very well explained, detailed and comprehensive video on taping handlebars. I needed to see the figure eight around the brake/shifter assembly. I also liked the advice on trying a cheap tape first but most importantly don't stress out over tape around your bars.

[@SteveBrill]

The perfect demonstration of how to do it properly! Well done Jim.👍

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@drewbrooke-mellor7551]

Hi Jim. Brilliant video. Just for context - bought my first secondhand bike in 40+ years and I know nothing about maintenance. Your clear and concise instructions could not be clearer in any way and your additional comments only add to the expertise you demostrate. Have subscribed and will be using your expertise as the first stop whenever I need to work on my machine. Many, many thanks.😊

[@hakanaimountainmoon]

You’ve raised the bar 😉with this tutorial Jim and David! Love Jim’s calm, clear delivery 👍 I’ve not tried yet, but will be coming back to this video when the time comes. Thank you!

[@AG17_1]

My tip = install the bar end after a few wraps. You'll need to use something to grip the tape in place, I use the Park tool pin spanner. You can then see if the tape needs a slight rewrap to get it sitting flush against the plug. Once happy, keep going with the wrap. If you leave the plug install until the end you could be unhappy with it but probably not bother to rewrap the whole thing again.

[@joeKisonue]

I bought the bolt style plug and did the edge wrap. No tuck as shown in park tool video

[@colinmatthews5999]

This is an underrated tip! I have done the full process only to find I can't get the overlap evenly tucked into the bar end, and that sucks

[@kevinsteward1]

Every repair/upgrade is so well described - this bar tape and the tubeless tire install are getting saved!!!!

[@martintilley6064]

Thanks very much Jim. I have to agree with many of the comments below in that this is the best explanation I've found. The figure of eight was clearly and well shown. I also like the steady and measured way in which you described each part. The best tip for me was the bit at the end gripping the bar before inserting the end plug. thanks again!

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@anthonycraze2288]

Very impressed, no waffle just clear instructions and tips , really liking your content. 👍

[@danwarner7594]

Excellent how to - now feel confident on getting through successfully. Have watched 2 of your videos - top notch presentation on the subjects I have seen!

[@tonyespresso3122]

Really fantastic clear instructions, my first time went ok thanks to this video!!

[@sinodraagi]

Best bar tape video I've seen! You're a great teacher.

[@marksheeran1717]

Thanks for taking the time to produce and share this video. I followed your instructions and was able to change my bar tape for the first time and it's pretty good.

[@PatrickJamesKiernan]

I’ve watched a lot of bar tape videos but this was probably the best. The points were spot on and it is nice to see you actually did the figure of 8 which many seem to avoid. No time for a cup of tea on this one, though!

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉☕

[@DBobLodge]

Great video, explains it perfectly. Couple of other things I do (a) put some double sided tape at both ends - makes it easier to start and stop (b) use the spare strip of tape that isn't used but placing a short length on top of the shifters/bars where your hands go - adds to the comfort where your hands are placed 99% of the time.

[@rolk9581]

By far the best video on wrapping bar tape that I’ve seen. Will be watching for more of your helpful tips to help me maintain my bike in. the future, cheers 😊

[@BRED510]

Great how-to. Worked a treat on my son’s Frog Bike handlebars.

[@davidarthur]

That is awesome!

[@jackmack7615]

Watched the video once before I was going to do the tape then a week later when I did the actual taping.. I did it in one go both sides !! You where clear and precise thank you!!

[@user-qn9xy6hl8c]

Thank you sir! This is the best video for handlebar wrapping. Your bike is very good and beautiful, and you want to ride it more.

[@JanKowalski-ux6nt]

Brilliant! BBC should make a series with you on how to maintain a bike. Seriously. Thanks!

[@kovar2344]

Jim The Bike Guy is the man! These videos helped me so much.

[@CanyonWanderer]

Thanks very much for your excellent video! Your pace of talking/explaining is helping a lot. Funny, I of course ended up here because after 9000 km it was time for new bar tape (almost fell apart on the last ride, but was OK a week ago...) It looks as if I bought the same brand and almost the same colour of tape, so I should not be worried about "incompatibilities" for the instructions 🙂

[@JulesJulian]

Good technique, only thing I disagree with is inserting the plug as the FINAL STEP. I always do my own taping, and Calvin Jones from Park Tool is who I learned from. He does the plug fitment at the beginning, because if u fuck that particular step up, u can fix it immediately. However, if u do it LAST, as this video shows, u will have to unwrap as all of ur bar tape AND the finishing tape to fix up the plug mistake. This guy obviously is very confident in his technique, knowing he has executed it all correctly. Nobody is perfect however, and Calvin Jones technique is foolproof IMHO.

[@rhenceocampo3253]

Exactly this! This! This!

[@wykydgt]

Just rewrapped by bars a few weeks ago using Supacaz Super Sticky Kush tape. They come packaged with locking plugs and they work a treat. Something I found helpful was using a heat gun, on low to prevent destroying the tape, to soften it a bit before tucking it into the bar end.

[@colincanyon2519]

Hey safer bet is a hair dryer for softening the ends 👍

[@MrAnon-2024]

Perfect timing as I’ll be attempting this for the very first time 👍

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@Godspeed961]

Same here but after i see the video i will not change my handlebar tape. i will wait little more until my current bar get old :D

[@oOoACFREEMANoOo]

I cant believe I just watched this entire video. Good stuff from this mechanic

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@mattbiss6414]

Best bar tape video explanation I've seen! Thanks very much

[@davidarthur]

Glad it was helpful!

[@razeemali2322]

Fully agree with jmounce50 and the rest. This is the best bar tape video ever. If I understood it then that says a lot. :-) Jim explains with perfect clarify, great pacing and touches on all the issues and things that can go wrong or just that bit off when wrapping. Thanks Jim. Really appreciate it.

[@nlfiets]

At 11:10 you wrap the tape over a hole that should not be covered. The hood will not fit correctly after that.

[@jamesbailey221]

I was hoping the video would address that as well. I sometimes have to compromise at this area on sram hoods by either cutting holes in the wrap after or fiddling with the wrap on the hoods for way too long to avoid gaps while still not covering the hole. I still don't have a good solution tbh

[@tongpocalypse151]

I cut holes in the tape where it covers any recessed areas. But also the figure 8 technique results in fat hoods so I've stopped doing that.

[@timcarter7051]

Great video! My tip is to save 1 or 2 feet of the old tape before throwing it into the "bin," and use it to practice the "figure 8 technique " a few times before actually using your new tape . Saves you from buying a "second " cheap pkg of bar tape to practice with.

[@scottcook8111]

Outstanding video, just finished wrapping my vintage Centurion LeMans

[@zoufyj185]

Everybody has their favorite tape but mine is Big 40 from Red Monkey Sports (formerly Zevlin brand). The stuff is extra wide and longer than most, very flexible, nice grip in the rain and durable. 40mm wide makes it easier to wrap the 8, avoid gaps and you can vary how much cushion by the spacing between wraps- I like it thick on the tops and thin in the drops. Ritchey also make awesome bar plugs that double as tire levers, you only need 1 so a set is good for 2 bikes. I also stick a $20 bill inside the bar before the plug, emergency cash for the coffee shop.

[@juandelacruz5247]

I recently discovered a technique for cleaner result. I make sure not to wrap the electrical tape up to the edge of the bar tape’s end edge. I leave a very little space. This way, the electrical tape will not slip onto the handle bar and unwraps in the process. Then, I finish the wrap using the tape that comes with the bar tape to wrap (with little tension) over covering the space the was left. But make sure to wrap just the handle bar tape, not the handle bar itself. I hope this is clear.. haha

[@wisdom2700]

Excellent video - helped an amateur like me make the handlebars look good!

[@Toebaksworld]

Thank you for this perfect instruction video, now i'm confident enough to get started!

[@chrisalberts]

Terrific video, super clear and helpful and very step by step. That said, I can't believe you badmouthed the white tape and then installed red 😅

[@snowyowl9132]

My 87 Bridgestone RB-2 uses white for the bar tape, white hood levers, and white brake cables as well for its original colors. It's difficult to find new white hood levers that are compatible but I still continue using the white bar tape. I love the original look.

[@TheAnthonyKing]

Really enjoyed this video, only other thing I would like to see is the figure 8 done with you standing at the front of the bars so we can see what is going on behind the shifter.

[@slowestrider4918]

Like the under and out phase. It is now stuck in my mind. Thx.

[@froggy0162]

Might have to find out what tape Giant used. I’ve removed and refitted the original tape at least a dozen times, and it has 10,000kms on it. Still looks and feels like new!

[@timcarls2838]

Thanks Jim! Success on my first go with wrapping my bars, cheers!

[@madmax9603]

AWESOME INSTRUCTION and great motivation doesn't have to be perfect. Thank You

[@IamTheeEgg]

Excellent Instructional Video on wrapping handlebar tape. I have been a bike rider for more than 45 Years and have always taken my Campy Bike to my friend who always knew what needed to be done, But sadly he passed away and so now I'm learning how to do these simple things that can be disastrous for people like me who get nervous when trying to copy it like you do it..I just have to tell myself to slow down and breathe breathe breathe, and let it happen. Thanks Jim for an excellent video. i have a few bikes but i love my Italian Mirella Road Bike with all Campagnola parts on it from back to front.. Ill be watching your videos straight away. PLs tell me the name of it..

[@jessehannah8822]

Best wrap advice I've seen.

[@heckle3030]

Here’s a shop tip: when you get to the end of your wrap and you need three hands, take your spanner tool and push it down over your drop bars to hold the tape. The spanner will hold the tension of the wrap while you cut the end of the tape. 👍

[@Fr.FintanStack]

Just bought all the bits to convert my flat bars to drops, probably need to re watch this 700 times haha

[@maciek3156]

If Sean Connery and Robbie Williams had a son who wanted to repair bicycles.. good job sir :)

[@rsmenton]

I agree with previous. Best bar taping vid I've seen. Many thanks!

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@colinmatthews5999]

Great video. Only thing I'll caution people is, using this method under the hoods/shifters can feel really bulky if you're using a thicker tape. And it also makes adjusting the hood position near impossible. If you may want to tweak your hood position without unwrapping bars, it may be worth leaving a small gap or covering it with a cut-off piece and not using that over-and-back method.

[@kennedystuart5685]

Cool video. I like to reverse wrap myself. No tape required or at least showing. Cheers. 👍🏻🇨🇦

[@karlf8576]

What a guy so helpful.. amazing job!!

[@alanridley2917]

Thank you so much. I think some parts of the filming could have been a bit clearer with another camera angle from the side when doing the figure-of-eight wrap.( The bits I wanted to view were not visible behind the hoods.) Apart from that... best and most comprehensive bar tape wrapping video available. Thanks again 👍

[@millierussell8577]

Thanks Jim for going through the process nice and explaining each stage 👍

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@richardprice9730]

Awesome my next stage after complete cable refit 3+ days later +++ with cable stuck in shifter with stem riser with and my custom made flattening sink bar grippy thingemy ..Now the aesthetic part !

[@janplexy]

11:00 - Dude just taped over the hole in the shifter body in which hood's rubber pin suppose to hook up.

[@bensy010]

Yeah this video sucks

[@arnodivalentin5639]

nice job, only thing that i have an issue with is that you covered the holes where the hood "nibs" go into. Sorry i don't know the technical name but they are used to hold the shifter hoods in place. Any comment as to why you covered them?

[@varonaldrin6251]

Very informative yet entertaining 💯👏🏼

[@AirMax11031978]

Incredibly useful video. Thank you very much!!!

[@chejaso]

What a way to explain CAREFULLY and also with so much information, even extra information. I'm suscribed since now, considering that this helped me more than I was expecting

[@keithgilbert835]

Top quality video and instructions. Thanks so much!!

[@markfisher7962]

New discovery! I've just tried a replacement for electrical tape: "self-amalgamating" tape. I ~think~ it's silicone rubber. It's slightly sticky right off the roll, but by stretching it, it gets mad effective at binding to itself. The end is far less likely to lift.

[@simongreen4573]

Great video dude 😁👍

[@gregbranson4620]

Thanks for the video. Very instructive.

[@505mark2]

Nothing better than watching an informative video without obnoxious attention seeking people. Thank you

[@christophercortes1524]

I get so impatient with this and would regret it fully in the end!

[@jimbrittain402]

That figure-or-eight layout solves the problem of the tops being wrapped in one direction so that the rider's hands tighten the tape, but the hooks and drops needing to be wrapped in the other direction. Since riders spend more time on the tops than the drops, I did the figure-or-eight to make the wrap on top correct... but my method did not run the tape up the inside of the shifter like that (instead, I crossed the underside of the bar at the shifter twice). I'm definitely using that method on the next wrap. (This method also allows for a smidge more tape at the end, which is not a bad thing...)

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@1000750]

At first the white bar tape was blending into the wall color and looked like stright bars, I was like he's going to put bar tape on a MTB 😂 Putting on bar tape gives me anxiety that I'm going to mess it up, I needed a refreasher course I'm do for a rewrap its been awhile 🤣

[@climbhigh96]

Luv this! 🙌🏽 Appreciate your ‘you can do it approach’ 😁👍🏽

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@Teerzad]

Thanks for another great demo.

[@johnbeckmeyer1696]

What do you do to allow the "nibs" in the hood cover to set into the holes on the hoods? I find that if I cover the holes in the hoods, the covers don't sit down nice and tight on the hoods and roll around as I ride and shift.

[@dariogiordano4218]

Great video - what are your reasonings behind choosing to wrap the bar tape toward the bike once you get to the top section of the bar? In other tutorials the wrapping ‘away’ from the bike is kept constant from start to finish which is said to help against unravelling of the tape by the riders grip. Would be great to hear your reasoning 🙏🏻

[@Antioch18x]

Because the direction your wrist rotates around the bar when riding changes in each position. Go grab your bars and test: when you're in the drops riding hard your wrists will rotate outward from the bike, and when you're on top your wrists will be rotating down. If you don't change the wrap direction between the drops and the tops you'll end up possibly unraveling (or loosening) the wraps when you ride hard. If you have the direction alternate as shown, your wrist action will simply help tighten the wraps as you ride hard.

[@dariogiordano4218]

@@Antioch18x Interesting, thats the exact reason other tutorials say they wrap away from the bike lol I guess trial and error is the best way to find out! Thanks for the mature reply (Hard to get nowadays online)

[@Antioch18x]

@@dariogiordano4218 Away on the drops, but switch as you cross the levers. Watch the Park Tools video on this topic, they go in to a lot of good detail.

[@Rose_Butterfly98]

Well the white bar tape did go with the colour of the bike. Probably why you used it Jim. We all make those mistakes, something looks nice and we forget white gets dirty really easily. I did it on a badminton racquet. My old road bike had the triangle hole on one side. But it was done at a shop and it wasn't up to me to retape it. I'm watching because someone had us help him do the bar tape and I'm wondering if we did it correctly. I just did it the way I'd to a badminton racquet just with that figure of 8 which is probably why I knew to cut 45°. I was only asked to help because of my scissors actually. Thanks for the video, it was really informative.

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@patrickmcconnon]

Found this really helpful, thanks.

[@siners77]

Some more close up of the wrapping would have been nice

[@gilletteguy787]

Indeed thats the unique low point of this video more close up shots would be perfect

[@Niala8419]

The problem is the fig 8 blocks the holes in the shifter body where the protrusions from the hood should sit.

[@anderskjems8902]

It looks really nice but I don´t like to cover the "lock" holes in the brake body. There are small nobs on the hob that are suppose to go into these holes to keep the hood in place. Is it your experence that the hood stays in place over time?

[@JacobSkriver]

For that starting point, I suppose the tape isn't flush with bar end? How of an overhang is recommended?

[@jameslopez958]

Thanks for sharing this information Brother 😎✌️. Tucson Arizona Desert 🏜️🙏

[@pauldurcan567]

Great and informative videos. Can you do a video on indexing gears please 👍🏻

[@colincanyon2519]

Jim these vids are great man 👍

[@justindwyer3430]

Outstanding video. Very helpful.

[@chrisobyrne5675]

Really helpful Jim, thanks.

[@kolabuzlu]

Hi. Thank you very much for this video. I do the figure 8 exactly the same as shown in the video but the tape reverses on top of the handlebar. What am I missing? Regards.

[@DrBrandMX]

Hello, I came across with this video thank you very insightful, is there a chance that you can make a video where you wrap a road bike aerobar and better yet, a Reverse Wrap? thanks.

[@joelyons886]

i use an old inner tube that I cut to the length of SuperCaz tape, so I strip off the old and practice with this a few times to make sure I'm good. Also much prefer the reverse wrap than the traditional method used here... great vid though some really cleaver tips n tricks 👍

[@gordonmurray5962]

I'm looking at handlebar tape videos because I intend the wrap my basic Honda bullhorns on my motorcycle. I'm crazy like that.

[@elizabethburgess3969]

Great video - thanks!

[@jimthebikeguy]

😉

[@thedoginside]

Great vid as per Jim. How much overhang of tape should I leave at the beginning to the tuck in with the bar eng plug? Cheers

[@dirtyv69]

Agree, this is missing from the video

[@iantillett7402]

just changed my bike from 8 to 10 speed cassette so this is my last job, great video,....

[@Greenjuiceman]

you are a very kind person - thank you very muvh

[@whoarewe7515]

Hi I keep watching this to get ready for the task. The tape that's coming off has been put on the opposite way from top to bottom and these bikes are 20 - 30 years old. Is it right to do it that way?

[@macadamianut7757]

Agree that the plug should be inserted in the beginning after a few couple of turns of the bar tape.

[@FooFahFoeFum]

Use thin tapes 1 mm thick and on the top areas place 7 cm (3 inches) of inner tube on each side before taping.

[@whoarewe7515]

Your video is by far the best.

[@georgeshaw6207]

Superb Video!!!

[@raidersperez1278]

Isn’t it better if you wrap all the way to the stem? You have more choices on where to put your hands?