Self maintenance?

[Kitsune06]

I'm wondering if it'd be possible or advisable to wrap temporarily using the wrap that's currently on the older bars; something that, while not great looking, would still provide some 'grip' just in case it rains. (I intend to use Merqueri to commute for awhile to get the feel for her new positioning) hanging on to bare metal bar, using a semi-broken-in brooks (with a plastic bag on it if it rains...) sounds like a slippery affair, but I agree that making the leap to final taping so quickly may be hasty moving on my part.

[DebW]

I'm wondering if it'd be possible or advisable to wrap temporarily using the wrap that's currently on the older bars; something that, while not great looking, would still provide some 'grip' just in case it rains.

If the old tape is usable, go ahead and use it. But if it was well stuck to the bars you'll probably rip it getting it off. If necessary, buy some cheap not-very-sticky tape that you can undo and rewap a few times. You indeed may want to reposition the brake levers a few times until they feel perfect.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm wondering if it'd be possible or advisable to wrap temporarily using the wrap that's currently on the older bars; something that, while not great looking, would still provide some 'grip' just in case it rains. (I intend to use Merqueri to commute for awhile to get the feel for her new positioning) hanging on to bare metal bar, using a semi-broken-in brooks (with a plastic bag on it if it rains...) sounds like a slippery affair, but I agree that making the leap to final taping so quickly may be hasty moving on my part.

Like Deb says, when you take off the old tape it may rip or be stretched and lumpy. But if you can re-use it why not? Electrical tape may be ok for temporary tape- but I think it's way more hassle than it's worth. If you wear biking gloves (with leather palms) it won't really be like gripping bare metal anyway, and I doubt it would be slippery with the padded leather palms. When we change stems and stuff, taping comes later on when we are all settled in and happy with all the changes. Heck, you have plenty to keep you busy for now anyway!

When you do tape, you'll need to overlap more on the curves, ...but on the straight parts, try to stretch the tape and only overlap a bare 1/8" to conserve tape til the end, or you may run out 2" from the end. (and why the heck don't they just give us the lousy extra 3" leeway to begin with??? God knows they get enough money for the stuff!)