When I worked in a bike shop in Chicago in the 70s, my boss taught me to install bar tape working from the stem side to the bar ends. The final bit of tape got inserted into the bar end and secured with the plugs, or bar-end shifters, so no tape was required anywhere. Modern cork tape is too thick for that method. But I still tape vintage bikes with cloth or plastic tape that way. It works well.
Best,
David
David G. White Burlington, VT
John Hurley wrote:
> I use electrical tape to finish off when wrapping handlebars, and it
> usually doesn't work too well. If I wrap it tight, it comes unstuck
> over time as the tape contracts; if I don't wrap it tight, it looks
> sloppy. Somewhere I read you should wrap tightly at first, and then
> finish it with no tension. It occurred to me today, Why not try a short
> piece of heat-shrink tubing? Just slip it on and slide up to the stem,
> out of the way, then slide it back over the end of the wrap and apply
> heat. Has anyone tried this?
>
> John Hurley
> Late to the dance again in
> Austin, Texas, USA