Bar tape on new bike ripped already

[TheDoctor]

Bar tape is a consumable item, like chain oil and tyres. Modern cork tapes are more fragile than the old cotton twill, but they're comfier too.

 

[Apollonius]

My mice do not eat chains and tyres. On reflection, they did eat Mrs A's Carradice saddle bag.

 

[Saluki]

Mice eat bar tape in my shed. They also ate my wetsuit, some sponge tennis balls and some plastic bags. I remonstrated with the cats but they were busy. Sleep is hard work, they say.

You need terriers, not cats.

 

[John the Monkey]

Nice tape always feels like a bit of a hostage to fortune - after tearing some lovely Fizik tape, a fortnight or so after wrapping the bars with it, I tend to get whatever I can pick up in end of season sales, and use that.

Wrapping the bars isn't a difficult job, but it can be time consuming, especially if you've a perfectionist streak.

 

[Goobs]

Thanks for all your comments.

I do like riding my bike and was just being a bit "its a new bike look after it" but now its been christened I dare say I'll live with the knackered tape till it falls off.

This can be demonstrated by the fact I still cover it up with a blanket in my garage !!! just in case a flying mouse decides to take a bite

 

[gbs]

Fizik offer a very good range of "glossy" tape in white and I think red. Not the cheapest but after 6000k or so on my dry weather bike it still looks like new. It is as comfortable as the leather type tape on my other bike. Of course it may not be the right red.

 

[Cuchilo]

I use Fizik tape . Not the cheapest but I like it . I also keep my bikes in the front room and think you should buy some new wheels instead of bar tape

 

[snorri]

after 6000k or so on my dry weather bike

I also keep my bikes in the front room

I think I know where I'm going wrong now

 

[youngoldbloke]

If it is just a nick or annoying small tear cover it with a couple of turns of red insulation tape - and then repeat in the same place on the opposite side of the bars, thus making it look intentional.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I see Saluki posted a vid on page one, I've not seen that one TBH but suspect it's absolutely fine.

FWIW these are my goto vids for bar taping, I still watch them now despite taping more bars than I care to mention

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Mice eat bar tape in my shed. They also ate my wetsuit, some sponge tennis balls and some plastic bags. I remonstrated with the cats but they were busy. Sleep is hard work, they say.

Chuck the lazy buggers out and stop feeding them - they'll soon shape up.

We had mice in the attic and they ate through 2 x £200 sleeping bags, 1 x climbing harness (not cheap) and 3 x sports bags.

We left the cat up there three years ago to sort it out - you've just reminded me to go see how he is getting on........

 

[2clepto]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251681366...49&var=550583019644&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

ive purchased five sets of this bar tape in the previous few months and it feels great. only risk is buying from abroad on ebay.

 

[fossyant]

My mice do not eat chains and tyres. On reflection, they did eat Mrs A's Carradice saddle bag.

My mate came back from a year away in south america. He used tinned fish oil on his chain once when it was dry and he was no-where near a shop. Thing is, oil went on fingers/toe straps etc... ants then took chunks out of the toe straps overnight.

 

[jefmcg]

I love the shiny fizik (ok, I'm not the best wrapper in the world)

Thanks to @vickster for buying it for me as the previous soft, matt tape got very very grubby very quickly and she didn't want to be seen with me.

 

[Ian193]

I'm on my 3rd lot of bar tape and the bikes not a year old till next month and to be honest it needs doing again PROPERLY