Figure 8 Handlebar Tape EXPLAINED // Wrap Like a Pro!

[@johnparedes5670]

Guess it’s a matter of preference but I prefer the wrap towards the back of the bike on the top as a more natural grain feeling.

[@romain_vd]

Same! It's more in line with the movements of the hands during a climb...

[@r.w.6251]

You do a neat, clean job however, after working as a professional bicycle mechanic for over 25 years, I have found the tape stays in place better if you wrap towards the inside rather than towards the outside. When a rider grips the bars on top, they tend to twist the tape backwards. This can cause the tape to loosen if wrapped forward over the top away from the bike. If wrapped over the top towards the bike, the twisting motion of the rider’s hands tends to keep the tape tight. The adhesive on the the back of most brands of good tape will help even a less efficient wrap job stay in place.

[@DocBlasto]

Also, he says to go counter-clockwise as he's wrapping clockwise. Might have been a bit of confusion in the production of the video.

[@Mtl_gr_solid3]

Make me want to re-wrap my handlebars even if mine is brand new, but not wrap as good as you just showed in this video. You are a cool dude! 👍

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha don’t waste a good tape job

[@davidcrowson4745]

Your pretty good at explaining that

[@boredmechanic2019]

The real master at work .... the real mccoy of tinkering bikes 🤙🇨🇦🚲 thank you for sharing

[@lizzypicardi]

I am going to try the figure 8 today thank you!

[@VentoGreg]

Thanks, bikesauce, just did this yesterday before my ride and your figure eight I like best. Other explanations left too much bulk inside the hooks.

[@Jacob99174]

I appreciate your content, Sauce

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆 nice

[@outbackwack368]

Perfect timing... my tape just wore through near the right hood... thanks!

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha! right on

[@alvaroibanezaraiza3574]

Hi! I just checked the PAUL COMPONENTS website and couldn't find the correct "THUMBIES" adapter to install the MICROshift BAR END SHIFTER. Did you use the SHIMANO version?

[@daning9456]

well illustrated video

[@johnicology]

Isn’t the direction of wrapping on the top half of the bar going against the direction of our hand grip on the top section when riding?

[@TheBikeSauce]

I think the idea is if you’re holding the tops, you’re naturally inclined to roll forward, which is in line with the tape direction

[@chazwarpdrive5171]

I also think that the tape should be wrapping back toward the rider on the tops. I feel like my grip pulls backward more in this position. If you think of the way your thumbs fall when you're on the tops of the bars, it would be in the same direction of the wrap this way. But I guess as long as the bar is covered and it holds nicely, one way isn't necessarily more correct than the other.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Thx for chiming in! Right. No one correct way to do it. Which.. kind of defeats the purpose of a how-to 😆

[@friedhelmschroter8124]

Yes, your are correct. The kind of wrapping a figure 8 around the lever shown in this video is causing the conflict, that either on the top or on the bottom you have a conflict with the ideal wrap rotation. You have 2 solutions for this conflict: 1) Accept this conflict and check out in practice if you find any negative consequence in longer term faster than usual/expected degradation on the tape. Non ideal wrap orientation may be compensated by many of today's offered bar tapes and applying pull force at the upper allowed limit may help to avoid any problems with opposite to ideal wrap orientation. In one video a professional from a bike racing team even explained, that he starts wrapping at the bottom from the outside to the inside. However professional bikes may be re-wrapped much more frequently than "normal" user bikes and therefore it is best you are fixing your personal targets that you want to achieve by your wrap method and take advise by professionals with a grain of salt. 2) Change to a slightly modified figure 8 wrap method as shown for example in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aprInHZtfdN6atE This figure 8 wrap method includes a wrap orientation change from clockwise to counter-clockwise or vice-versa while passing the lever. One disadvantage on this modified figure 8 wrapping is however when you have a bar tape that has a one sided logo or mark, then either on top or bottom side this logo/mark is hidden/covered.

[@Gufolicious]

I always push forward on the tops, never backwards. So i like this way of wrapping.

[@_toyotapro]

These comments are ridiculous. Direction is preference. No real right or wrong way to do it. You nail the figure-eight. Haven’t done it in a few years and needed a refresher. I wrap same direction as you. Great explanation. Thanks for the help. Enjoy the ride.

[@TheBikeSauce]

More comments like yours please 😆

[@outtatrex]

Thanks, great video, you explained it really well.

[@FrettieFingers]

At 1:46 you said counter clockwise on the right, but I think you meant clockwise on the right, counter on the left. Great vid explanation otherwise, thanks Also maybe not put the sticky of electrical tape on the bars if carbon, just tape over the bartape, then use finishing tape.

[@NP-kc5qd]

I love the way you explain everything clearly and do a great job filming the whole process. Thank you!

[@TheBikeSauce]

🤩

[@luchonex]

Which handle bar are you rocking??

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ritchey Beacon in this example

[@Fuzz686]

hi

[@PaulBeiser]

Thanks! Very useful.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Thx, Paul!

[@LyndonLOng-kw2sj]

Wrapping ‘Clockwise’ when looking from the back of the bike to the front on the right hand side of the bar.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha yea, misspoke. And I was trying to be extra clear too..

[@cricanwa]

On 1:41 you said "counterclockwise", but you are actually wrapping it clockwise ⏰

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha and I tried to be so clear too..

[@PuneethBedre]

You’ve got the direction of the tape wrong on the tops.

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆

[@keeferification]

I've used this tape. It's not bad... but uh, give it a few weeks and then try to remove it. Hint: It's buckets of fun.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha my guess is the center strip will leave behind adhesive. Very similar to the Cinelli. They’re tacky bar tape has a different adhesive. My guess it that will be easier to remove

[@andygarwood6712]

Just dont get it...Start at the top and finish at the bottom. No crappy looking sticky tape and the hbar tape works with you instead of against. Try it and come back. game changer.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Tried every method over 25 years. This makes the most sense to me

[@indorock]

This is not the proper way. As others already sad, you should always wrap the tops with the tape wrapping towards the back, not the front. In this case, the tape will loosen over time, since a rider gripping the tops while climbing will usually rotate their hands downwards.

[@TheBikeSauce]

😀 there’s no right or wrong way. Tape doesn’t come loose no matter how you wrap it as long as you do it tight enough

[@thefrontishere]

Wrapping the wrong way homie. Figure 8 would cover more bridget clamp if you changed the direction. Looking good though

[@TheBikeSauce]

Haha there’s no right way

[@Fuzz686]

da poo

[@Skogling]

Wrap like a pro?

[@TheBikeSauce]

You know it

[@friendsofcomedyunited]

You totally wrapped this the wrong way. Try again.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Totally

[@Pshpshpshpshpshpshpsh]

I also started doing a top to bottom tape style. It definitely helps with using any finishing tape.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Haha right