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I don't want my bar tape to leave a sticky mess on my bars
I've tried the PRO Sport Comfort Tape with silicone backing a few times, and it always either slips down because it's not adhering to the bars sufficiently, or it splits really easily, or both. Where am I going wrong? Am I putting it on too tight, or too loose, or too close together?
Can anybody recommend me either a good one or how to put it on properly?
Thanks!
Needs pretensioning on the wrapping after every loop of the bars to avoid slippage. Don't pull the whole tape, put your finger on the last loop as you wrap to maintain the tension as you go up the bars. Never had a problem with the silicone tape, other than some wear out silly fast. Fabric I'm looking at you. I've wrapped non-silicone tape without removing the backing, that did slip a little due to the tape backing not having much friction.
To be honest it's really just technique, don't pull too hard, give it a bit of a stretch of the last loop you apply.
Ok, I'll try that next time
Although a fan of most of the Pro equipment the only item I didn’t get on with was their bar tape. I persevered for customers that wanted it but mostly I tried with one side and then it went in the bin, there didn’t appear to be enough stretch! There are very few tapes with adhesive these days, most rely on silicon or friction, as above, keeping the tension on where you’re wrapping is crucial and make sure your wheel/forks/bars are held in the straight ahead position.
Hope this helps.