HOW TO REPLACE YOUR HANDLEBAR TAPE

Retaping your handlebar is an essential skill if you want to keep your bike from looking grubby

OUT WITH THE OLD

Take out the bar-end plugs and roll forward the rubber housings on your shifters to reveal the tape. Peel off the finishing tape near the stem and unravel the tape from your bar.

ON WITH THE NEW

Start at the bottom of the bar keeping tension on the tape and wrap moving out. The tension will ensure an even thickness around the brake lever to the top of the bar.

MIND THE GAP

Most bar tape comes with two small sections of tape designed to make it easier to hide the small gap left when you wrap around the brake levers. Hold these in place behind the levers and wrap over the top.

CUTTING EDGE

Make sure that you always cut the end of the tape into a point, so that when you wrap the final piece over the top of the bar you will achieve a nice, smooth edge.

SECURE IN PLACE

Use electrical tape to secure the bar tape in place so that it can’t come loose. Often bar tape will come with some extra finishing tape, which is always nice to use for a clean and tidy look.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Pop the lever covers back and fit the new bar-end plugs that will have come with your new tape and you’re good to go. If you like white bar tape, get used to performing this task!