Things You'll Need:
- Handlebar tape
- Electrical tape
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Step 1
Remove the old handlebar tape. Start by removing the endplugs from your handlebars. In most cases, they should come out by just using your fingers, but if necessary, pry them out with a screwdriver blade or grasp them with pliers to pull them out.
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Step 2
Remove the tape holding the end of the handlebar tape nearest the center of the handlebars. Unwind the tape slowly until you get to the end of the handlebar drops. Discard the old tape if you don't plan on reusing it. Keep the endplugs if you wish. Most new boxes of handlebar tape will come with new endplugs, however.
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Step 3
Prepare your handlebars for the new tape. Be sure that the handlebars are clean and free of any sticky tape residue. While you have the tape off, check the handlebars for any signs of corrosion or metal fatigue. This is unlikely, but it's a good opportunity to make this check. Peel back the rubber boot around the shifters/brake levers, and remove the piece of tape located behind them, if necessary. If your cables attached to the handlebars are loose, secure them to the handlebars with electrical tape.
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Step 4
Begin wrapping the tape around the handlebars, starting at the bottom end of the bars. Start by leaving a collar of about 1/4 inch of tape extending beyond the ends of the bottoms of the handlebar. This will be covered when you reinsert the endplugs. Wrap the tape, pulling it taut, and overlapping 1/3 of the width of the tape each time around. Wrap the left-hand side clockwise, and the righ-hand side counterclockwise (from the perspective of the rider). When you reach the brake levers, be sure the housing is pulled out of the way. Place a small piece of tape (usually provided with the new tape) on the bike side of the handlebars behind the lever and wrap the tape around it as you go up. This gives you a clean look around the brake lever. Push the housing covers back in place and inspect your results before going on.
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Step 5
Finish wrapping the tape, leaving an inch or two of handlebar untaped at the center. Secure the ends with electrical tape, or the tape that came with the handlebar tape. Check the tape job for looks and functionality, making certain that it's not loose.
