Excuse my ignorance!

[jaydee]

Many apologies to road bike cyclists - but I have what might be a really silly question to ask. Why do you tape the handlebars of your bikes? I have often read your stories on different coloured tapes and types etc, but don't quite know why you use the tape.

[alpinerabbit]

Because it would be unpleasant, and in sweaty conditions impossible, to keep a grip on the plain metal bars for extended amounts of time (?)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And the metal bars would be FREEZING in the winter....even with gloves on.

[alpinerabbit]

yup, actually in freezing/wet conditions your gloves would get stuck

I saw an old track bike once - wood rims, wood handle thingies on the bar ends - you'd just hold there.

Man, I shoulda bought it.

[Eden]

Handlebar "tape" is not exactly what the name implies too - while some is sticky on the back to help it to stay in place, its called tape more because of its shape (like a "tape measure") more than anything else. Its a roll of material, traditionally cork or fabric, though now often made of foam rubber, that you put on your handlebars to provide padding and a non-slip surface. Road bikers use it for the same reason you put rubber grips on the ends of a flat bar.

[jobob]

Plus it looks nice.

[SadieKate]

And now the cables run under the tape, so it helps keep them nice and tidy out of the way.

[Jiffer]

And you can put gel like stuff on the handlebars, underneath the tape to make the handlebars extra comfy.

But I think it's mostly so you can have PINK handlebars!!! HA HA!!!

[jaydee]

I didn't realize that road bikes did not have grips on the metal handlebars. I obviously have never looked closely enough at one. The only drop-bar bicycle I have really been up close and personal with was in my LBS and it had rubber grips on it - or so I thought. It may have had bar tape. As I said, I apologise for my ignorance.

[Aggie_Ama]

What everyone said and it is like getting a new bike everytime I get them wrapped! I have changed the tape color two times in 18 months. First black (stock), then a light blue, now dark blue. Next time? Maybe white or some people have wrapped a diamond pattern. My bike was expensive (for me) so it is as close as I will get to a new one anytime soon.

On a side note I bought some grips for my mountain bike (Salsa with Peppers), totally don't match but I LOVED them. I am putting them on anyway. My frame is black, it is just the faint gunmetal pattern that makes them a bit off. That's how I roll though.

[Tuckervill]

No need to apologize. Ignorance is not a sin!

Karen

I didn't realize that road bikes did not have grips on the metal handlebars. I obviously have never looked closely enough at one. The only drop-bar bicycle I have really been up close and personal with was in my LBS and it had rubber grips on it - or so I thought. It may have had bar tape. As I said, I apologise for my ignorance.