Should I try to change my bar tape & shifters myself? (scared newbie)

[OakLeaf]

Heh, maybe it's just me, but I find shifter installation and adjustment WAY easier than wrapping bars. With bar tape there's finesse every single turn of the tape - shifters are just a matter of install, position, adjust. I've never done bar-ends, but I can't see how they'd be much different from other types.

It seems to me that wrapping handlebars is mainly a matter of practice and patience. Your LBS mechanic who does it a dozen times a day can do it in three minutes and have it look perfect. Me, who might do it once every other year, it always takes at least five re-wraps and even then it's lumpy at the bar end.

But heck ... your question was should you try. If you're asking the question, that means you want to, and so the answer to should you try is absolutely! It's a really good skill to have, and even if it doesn't look perfect, you'll have the sense of accomplishment, and you'll have that much practice under your belt for the next time you do it.

[Becky]

Oak is right- taping is all about patience and practice. Go slow, be prepared to unwrap and re-wrap sections, and check out the instructions at http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...ation-drop-bar.

But you should definitely try it yourself!