Is there a way to wrap bullhorn handlebars to avoid unwinding both in the center and on the sides?

Question

My handlebar tape keeps looking messy because of an incorrect direction, and I can't find an obvious solution to it. Maybe someone can advise?

The direction of the wrap for handlbar tape should be oriented so that the tension of the hands of the bar is tightening the tape, instead of loosening. On drop bars, to achieve such a direction both at the top/center and the sides, the tape direction is reversed at the brake levers.

When wrapping a bullhorn handlebar, however, there is no obvious way of reversing the tape direction in the corner. If the tape wrap direction is aligned to hand tension on the sides, the top/center part has the wrong direction (see image, gray is tape direction, red is hand tension). As a result, if the rider switches hand position frequently, as I do, one of the areas is constantly being loosened there.

Of course, if the whole direciton is reversed, this problem will appear on the sides instead.

Is there a way to avoid this?

Answer 1

Options that could solve this:

• Make two neatly divided grip areas per side of the bar, and change orientation on them.
• Use track grips (maybe glue them since it sounds like they'll have a tough life).
• Experiment with tape that might be able to keep more friction against the bar. (Some conjecture here, but your grip force does have to overcome that friction to cause loosening).

Answer 2

I've wrapped handlebar tape around drop bars in road bikes countless times, but never have I reversed the wrapping direction when passing the brake hoods.

The thing with wrapping around bends is that you must increase the overlap of two consecutive wraps on the inner side while maintaining the overlap on the outer side constant, which gives you a clean and appealing look.

As for the unwrapping problem - keep in mind that you need to tension the tape while wrapping so that the tape is held securely in place afterward. Of course, proper handlebar surface plays a role as well, so clean and degrease it thoroughly before installing new tape.

Answer 3

I wouldn't bother - just wrap the bartape so it winds on in the same direction as your fingers for the single most common position.

Make sure to use all the double-sided tape underneath and to use a good firm tension all the way around. Also make sure the start and ends of the bartape are well-secured.

I've used sometimes used light mounts to hold down the more-central final end of bartape. Avoid using your brake levers though - they need to be mounted firmly with no flex.