How to Replace Handlebar Tape

Get a grip. Update those ancient, fraying pieces of tape on your bicycle handlebars so that you can hang tight while you ride. Here are a few steps to help you along the way.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Handlebar Tape
• Electrical Tapes

Instructions

1. Unscrew or pry off the caps on the ends of the handlebars. Set them aside.

2. Lift the edges of the brake hoods and fold them forward.

3. Unwrap the old tape and discard it.

4. With a coarse dishwashing pad or your fingers, remove any leftover glue.

5. Find the two short pieces of tape, a few inches long, in the package of new tape. If the short pieces are not there, cut one 4-inch strip from the end of each roll.

6. Put the first short strip over the small metal band holding the brake handles onto the handlebars, if the tape has glue on the back. Push the excess tape under the edge of the brake hood.

7. Put a piece of black electrical tape on each end of the short strip and apply as directed above if the tape is not adhesive. Repeat on the other side of the bars.

8. Cut two 5-inch pieces of black electrical tape. Hang them nearby to use later.

9. Use one roll of tape per side.

10. Starting at the handlebar's far end - the bottom of the curl - wind the tape one full turn counterclockwise around the bar.

11. Angle the tape slightly forward and begin winding it along the bar, after completing the first turn, overlapping each layer about 1/2 inch over the last one.

12. Wind until you reach the brake. Stop at the strip of tape applied earlier.

13. Run the tape diagonally from the bottom to the top of the brake, to wind over the brake handle, from the back of the bar.

14. At the top of the bar, wind the tape over the brake and return to your starting point at the back of the handlebar and the bottom of the brake.

15. Wrap the tape halfway around the bar beneath the brake, then go diagonally back to the top. Wind the tape over the brake and return to the bottom.

16. Wind to the top and begin wrapping the top of the handlebar.

17. Continue winding counterclockwise, overlapping about 1/2 inch with each layer, until you are out of tape.

18. Secure the end of handlebar tape with one of the pieces of electrical tape cut earlier.

19. Unfold the brake hood over the new tape. Replace the plug in the handlebar end.

20. Do the other side of the handlebars with the second roll of tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap the tape tightly and hold it taut as you wind.

• For more cushion, put a layer of cloth tape on first, then a layer of cork tape.

• Mountain bikes do not use handlebar tape. They have hand grips instead.

• Avoid letting gaps form in the tape as you wind.