Bar Tape + Tri Bars

[Sam Kennedy]

I'm going to be buying a Specialized Allez on Saturday from someone from my club, and they have already wrapped the bars. I want to fit some clip on tri bars, and I noticed the bars are wider towards the stem, which seems to be normal. If I wanted to fit tri bars, would they be on the fat bit next to the stem, or the thinner part like on the rest of the bars?

If I unwrapped the top of the tape to fit the bars, would I be able to re-wrap it, or would I have to buy some new tape?

Cheers

 

[Will1985]

It depends on the tribar clamp. It sounds as though you have oversize bars which are the norm these days. I have 2 sets of clip on tribars - the first is a one piece oversize (31.8) and fits near the stem, the other has 2 separate bars with a standard (~25.8/26) fitting and has to attached either side of the bulge.

Clip on tribars are supposed to be simple things - no need to remove bar tape. It would be unusual if the bar tape goes all the way to the stem.

Measure the inside diameter of the clamps on the tribars and you'll have your answer.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

These are the ones I'm thinking of getting:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=13580&src=froogle

They fit 25.4mm 26mm and 31.8mm bars.
Would I fit them on the fatter bit near the stem, or just over the bar tape further out?

 

[PpPete]

I would clamp direct to the bar, not on the tape. There is a lot of leverage on the bar so they need to be TIGHT. That said the position has to be comfortable. I find I'm happy with bars quite close to stem, but the elbow pads have to be quite a bit further out. If you have to remove some tape then so be it. Most people apply bar tape starting from bar end & working inwards and then use adhesive tape to fix the free end, so all you need to do is unstick a bit, unwind a couple of turns, and re-tape. Electrician's insulating tape is ideal. Or you can be cussed like me and use a stretchy non-adhesive tape and go the "other way"...which is a PITA when you find you havnt got space for tri-bars, lights, computer, bar-bag mount etc.

 

[Noodley]

If you have 'wing' bars then fitting Tri bars will be problematic as IME standard tri attachments do not fit flatter wing designs.

 

[Will1985]

Those bars fit further out - they'll look a bit like the bar setups for the team pursuiters. It doesn't matter too much and should even open up your chest a bit.

If you have to change the bar tape it shouldn't be more than about £7 - something you can easily do yourself.

 

[RSV_Ecosse]

I have a set of those TransX clip-ons on my FP1 and it has oversized bars. They fit fine ( although I don't have them on the bike all the time, they are off at the mo' ) :-