How to Install Handlebar Grip Tape

Installing handlebar grip tape involves starting at the end of the handlebars, wrapping the tape tightly and overlapping consistently towards the stem, and finishing by tucking the tape and securing it with bar plugs and finishing tape.

Handlebar grip tape is essential for road bikes, providing comfort, grip, and vibration damping. Learning how to wrap your handlebars correctly ensures a secure and professional finish. This guide will walk you through the process.

Why Wrap Your Handlebars?

• Improved Grip: Especially important in wet conditions.
• Enhanced Comfort: Adds cushioning to reduce hand fatigue.
• Vibration Dampening: Helps absorb road chatter.
• Personalization: Available in various colors and patterns to match your bike.

Tools and Materials Needed

• New handlebar grip tape kit (usually includes two rolls of tape, finishing strips, and bar plugs)
• Sharp scissors or a utility knife
• Electrical tape or dedicated finishing tape
• Gloves (optional, keeps hands clean)

Step-by-Step Handlebar Wrapping Process

Follow these steps for a clean and effective handlebar wrap:

1. Prepare the Handlebars: Remove old tape, clean the handlebars thoroughly to remove any residue, and ensure brake/shifter cables are neatly routed and secured with a few pieces of electrical tape if necessary.
2. Start at the Bar End: Begin wrapping at the very end of the handlebar drop. Many people prefer to wrap from the drops upwards towards the stem. Start the tape "Just on the bar" itself, leaving a small tail of tape (about half the width of the tape) extending past the bar end. This tail will be tucked in later.
3. Secure the Start: Wrap the first few turns over the tail you left hanging out. This helps secure the beginning of the tape. Ensure you are wrapping in the correct direction – on the drops, wrapping towards the bike's center (inward) usually tightens the tape as you hold the bars.
4. Wrap Upwards: Continue wrapping up the handlebar towards the brake/shifter lever. Hold the tape tight and Pull It snug as you wrap around and Advance up the bar. Maintain consistent tension and overlap with each pass. An overlap of about one-third to one-half the tape width is typical.
5. Navigate the Brake Lever Clamp: This is often the trickiest part. There are different methods, but a common one is to create a "figure-eight" pattern around the lever clamp to ensure full coverage without gaps. Wrap up to the lever, loop behind the clamp, and then continue wrapping above the clamp, maintaining your overlap. Practice might be needed to get this neat.
6. Continue Wrapping to the Stem: After passing the lever clamp, continue wrapping straight along the top of the handlebars towards the stem. Maintain the same tension and overlap.
7. Finish Near the Stem: Stop just one or two revolutions past where you want the tape to end, usually near the stem clamp area.
8. Cut and Secure the End: Cut the tape neatly at an angle so it aligns with the handlebar. We're going to tuck In this tape or secure the cut end smoothly onto the bar.
9. Apply Finishing Tape: Use the provided finishing strips or electrical tape to secure the final few inches of the grip tape firmly to the handlebar. Wrap this finishing tape several times to ensure it won't unravel.
10. Insert Bar Plugs: Take the small tail of tape you left at the beginning and tuck it into the end of the handlebar. Then, firmly insert the bar plug into the handlebar end. This holds the starting end of the tape in place and gives a clean finish.

Repeat the entire process for the other side of the handlebars.

Tips for a Great Wrap

• Practice: Don't expect perfection on your first try. It gets easier with practice.
• Tension: Keep the tape consistently snug as you wrap. Too loose, and it will unravel or slip; too tight, and you might stretch thinner tapes too much.
• Overlap: Maintain a consistent overlap (e.g., 1/3) for an even look and feel. Less overlap means you cover more bar faster but risk gaps; more overlap provides more padding but uses tape quicker.
• Direction: Wrapping from the drops upwards and inwards on the drops helps the tape stay tight when you're gripping the bars in that position.

Common Issues and Solutions

Referencing visual guides, like the YouTube video snippet provided, can be very helpful as you perform the steps yourself. The key takeaways are to start on the bar end, wrap upwards with snug tension, and finish by tucking and plugging the end after stopping just past the desired endpoint.