Handlebar Tape

[mikeloveshisrockhopper]

Hi all,

My Defy 1 has white handlebar tape that is never going to remain white. I'm considering changing the tape to black. Is this a simple enough job? Does the average LBS do it? I'll enquire anyway at the end of the week. I was just sitting here lonely in my Glasgow business hotel room thinking about my bike....

Cheers

Mike

 

[Gert Lush]

It's simple enough. You could do it yourself but if you want your LBS to do it, I bet it won't take much longer than 10mins or so.

 

[vickster]

Yes an lbs should do it. Mine charges a fiver plus the tape (which will be RRP, a bit more if I supply)

 

[mikeloveshisrockhopper]

Thanks both. Sounds like a job for the LBS then. I'll make some enquiries. I'd never do a decent job myself so it's worth forking out 10 to 20 quid.

 

[Mrs M]

My Felt had white tape when I bought it, managed to keep it white with regular cleaning and clean gloves.
Only changed to black when it got torn (not by me)
I used to replace bar tape regularly myself as a kid but no risk taking this time with an expensive roll, so LBS did the job for me.

 

[mikeloveshisrockhopper]

I have cleaned it a few times with muc off cleaner and it comes up OK. Black tape will be less hassle. I clean my bike after every ride but the handlebar tape seems like an unnecessary effort.

 

[mikeloveshisrockhopper]

My Felt had white tape when I bought it, managed to keep it white with regular cleaning and clean gloves.
Only changed to black when it got torn (not by me)
I used to replace bar tape regularly myself as a kid but no risk taking this time with an expensive roll, so LBS did the job for me.

Out of curiosity, what do you use to clean it. A mate reckoned he just uses washing up liquid and warm water.

 

[vickster]

Out of curiosity, what do you use to clean it. A mate reckoned he just uses washing up liquid and warm water.

You could try baby wipes

 

[T4tomo]

Its really not that hard to do yourself. Loads of you tube guides, plus you can unwind a rewrap it if you've gone a bit wrong.
Start at the ends , leaving enough to tuck in with the end plug, and work towards the stem. Finish with insulation tape.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I wrapped bar tape for the first time at the weekend. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I feared so I'll say give it a go.

The tape I used has a tacky gel on the back rather than a glue so it was really easy to peel back and adjust.

 

[Spiderweb]

To clean your bar tape use washing up liquid, warm water and a nail brush. Scrub in the same direction as the tape, you may want a tea towel nearby to stop all the splashes. It works great.

 

[gavroche]

Not worth the hassle of doing it yourself, look at my thread called "Best LBS" . I had a Defy with white tape as well. Looks good when new but soon changes colour. It is now black .

 

[Mrs M]

Out of curiosity, what do you use to clean it. A mate reckoned he just uses washing up liquid and warm water.

Usually just household or baby wipes.
If there's any stubborn marks found nail varnish remover lifts them off

 

[Smokin Joe]

I'd be too embarrassed to take a bike to a shop to have the bar tape changed. YouTube has loads of videos showing you how, fifteen minutes top whack once you get the hang of it.

 

[Lilliburlero]

Like @T4tomo says - look on youtube and do it yourself.

Its a simple task in the grand scheme of things, but you`ll get a little buzz from knowing that you did it yourself