How to Change Handlebar Tape on a Road Bicycle
BikesDirect sells quality bicycles online at exceptionally low prices. At BikesDirect.com, cyclists can get deals on road, mountain, and hybrid bikes from top manufacturers. BikesDirect also helps cyclists maintain their new bikes. Road bikes with drop bars will periodically require new handlebar tape. Bar tape is inexpensive and easy to change and can make an old road bike look brand new. Follow these steps to change your old tape. 1. Remove the old tape and clean away any debris or sticky residue. If you route any cable housing under the bar tape, make sure it is clean and secure. Pull up the brake hoods. 2. Peel off a little of the adhesive backing and start wrapping. Always wrap away from your body, so that your grip pulls the tape tighter as you ride, instead of loosening it. 3. As you wrap, overlap the tape by one-third to one-half of its width. Keep the tape tight, but do not tear it. Wrap curves in the bar so that they overlap more on the inside, and less on the outside. 4. When you get to the brake lever, you should have enough tape on a standard-length strip to cover the brake clamp or make a figure-eight around the hood, if you want to, or you can skip both entirely. Whatever you choose, take extra care to wrap closely around the brake levers. 5. Keep wrapping until you reach the point you’d like the tape to end on the bar. Cut the tape at the same angle you wrapped at, so that you end with a clean line. Secure the bar tape with electrical tape. 6. Push in the provided end plugs, flip the brake hoods back down, and enjoy your new tape.
