Wrapping handlebars

I've never done it and I want to. Please tell me how to do it and any tips you might have.

I plan to try it out first with cloth tape or something inexpensive.

Don't try cloth tape first - that's the hardest stuff to work with. Start with a tape that is somewhat stretchy. Overlap turns by 1/3 and try to stretch the tape as you go around bends and around the brake levers. You can either start in the middle and finish by putting the excess inside the bar and plug, or you can start on the end and finish in the middle with a wrap of electrical tape. Sometimes it work well to take 2 small sections of tape and cover the back side of the levers before you wrap.

That's what I'm confused/unsure about, around the brake levers.

Sandra
I have the brooks leather bar tape. I love it. I didn't wrap it myself. YOu need someone to help you do it; it's hard to do it with just two hands.
I helped while my LBS owner wrapped mine. And at the end he just taped it with super sticky tape.

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Originally Posted by sandra

That's what I'm confused/unsure about, around the brake levers.

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Depends on how much tape you've got and how stretchy it is. Roll the rubber hoods up and put about 1/3 of a wrap over the lever on each side. You can either just wrap right past the lever with some tight wraps that don't leave too much exposed, or you can do a figure-8 around the lever if you have enough tape. For better coverage behind the lever, cut two 5-inch pieces of sticky tape and cover the bar behind the levers, tucking it under the rubber hoods and wrapping over it.

Here is a link to an instructional video on handlebar wrapping. I have relied on my BF to wrap my bars (he does SUCH a nice job ;) ), and this is the way he does it. Taping video

The video is very helpful. Thank all of you!

Here's instruction from the Park Tools website: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=71

I do the "advanced" wrap where you reverse directions at the brake lever so that wherever you are gripping, you are pulling on the tape so that it tightens.