At 06:31 PM 13/01/2009 -0500, David G. White wrote:
>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.
I'm sure that's how a bike shop would do it. It's quick and easy and they don't have to ride the bike. In fact, that's how most bikes came from the factory. That's how I did it for decades until I learned the correct way, starting from the ends. When you wrap starting from the stem, the tape will curl and seperate from hand pressure while riding on the tops.
John Betmanis
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada