How to wrap handlebar tape on a drop bar bike

First, remove your old bar tape by unwinding it from the bars. Once it's removed, clean any bits from the old tape off the bars and inspect the bars for any damage. Make sure the cable outers and brake hoses are in good condition too. This is a good opportunity to change cable outers that are worn or frayed.

Fold back the hoods of the lever so the base of the lever – the part that connects with the handlebars – is revealed.

Cut two pieces of electrical tape about 30cm long and stick them to the top tube. They'll come in handy later.

Start wrapping the right-hand side by placing the tape so it is half on the end of the bar, and half hanging off. Hold the tape taught, stretching it slightly, and wrap it clockwise around the bar.

If you are using a normal bar end plug, you can secure the end by pushing the plug in, forcing the excess tape into the bar.

If your bar end is a Di2 junction box, score the excess wrapped tape with a box cutter knife, then unwind the tape. Cut it along the scored line, then rewrap so the bar end sits flush to the Di2 junction box.

Wrap the bar consistently, applying constant tension to the tape and keeping the amount of overlap between each piece as uniform as possible.

Typically, people do a 'figure of eight' to wrap the shifters, but with modern, thick bar tape, that can be too bulky. We prefer this method, which uses less tape, is less bulky, and leaves your bar tape rotated in the correct direction to wrap the tops securely.

Close the gap between the tape and the shifter with one more wrap. Use this wrap to cover as much of the exposed handlebar near the shifter clamp as you can.

Our shifter wrapping method can leave a small gap. It's fine to leave it, but some find it unsightly. If you'd rather not have a gap, use the two small pieces of bar tape that came with the rolls to cover the bar around the shifter clamp. Trim it to size and wrap over the top of it to hold it in place.

From the inside of the handlebars, pull the tape up and over the shifter, then wrap it around the bars. Try and pull it as far down as you can, to close the gap and cover the exposed handlebar near the shifter clamp.

Now, simply keep wrapping in this same direction; no need for any more loops around the shifter. Wrap consistently until you've covered the tops.

Once you're happy with how your tape looks, you can finish it off. Wrap past the point you'd like it to end and mark the tape so you can then cut it diagonally. This will allow you to get a clean, consistent end to the wrap.

Secure the tape in place with electrical tape. Wrap it around the bar tape carefully, keeping the tape tight without stretching or deforming it. A couple of revolutions around the bar will be plenty. For a super tidy finish, trim the tape so it finishes on the underside of the bars.

The process is mirrored for the left. Start by wrapping the bars anti-clockwise. When you get to the shifter, make sure that when you do step 7d, when you go 'up and over' the shifter, it is on the inside of the bars. That way, when you carry on to the tops, the bar tape will be wrapped the same way for both the left and right.