Bar tape/cable routing if flats are unwrapped?

[kramnnim]

I'm in the process of installing new handlebars (thanks veggieburger!), and have a small problem...

The bars are 3T Ergosums, and like other 3T bars, they have logos on the flats. (http://www.thebikeboutique.com/images/products/3t_ergosum_hbar_team2.gif )

The red stripe happens to match my frame, and I rarely use the flats...so I'm thinking of leaving them unwrapped. I'm guessing that many people with flat top/wing top type bars also leave the flats unwrapped...

My main question is regarding the cable routing...(for bars without internal routing). Where should it exit the bar? Right where the tape ends? I could run the housing along the bottom of the flats like normal, and electrical-tape it near the stem to hold it in place...but that would be ugly, and I'd rather avoid electrical tape completely. (I just saw Tom Kellogg's super glue tip, which looks great)

I'm also wondering, if I end the tape at the beginning of the flats...will I have issues with the tape unraveling? Seems like that part of the bars is more likely to be gripped. The super glue might not work so well in that case...

[sean]

Some people may cringe at this, but before grooved bars, people would drill small holes near the lever and at the exit point. It's an option.

Aside from that, you may just have to run your cables old style, letting them come out of the lever, giving them a nice curve then down into the cable stops. Think of an old non aero lever on a 5/6/7 speed.

You shouldn't have any issue ending the tape by the levers. Track racers would often only wrap half the bars, even when setting up trainers with brake levers, they would just stop above the lever and tape as normal.

Your other option with wrapping, since you aren't using the flats, is to start at the lever and work your way DOWN to the ends. Get a nice firm wrap at the start, may go around one full wrap and then starting heading down. When you get the the end, cut off a bit, stuff it in the end of the bar and install your plugs.

[kramnnim]

The bars are carbon...probably not a good idea to drill holes in them, lol.

I don't use the flats, but I do use the corners and hoods 90% of the time...was planning to do something like this- http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1723/11052010195012.jpg , but without all the electrical tape.

[Charles M]

your choice is tape.

I've seen Ziptie and I have also seen clear packing tape used.

[stephenmarklay]

I think not taping the bar on the top is kind of silly () just to gain that stripe. I run 3T rotundo bars and stop that tape at the point the radius increase near the stem. You get the logo stuff in the front and don't lose any functional hand placement.

[Louis]

and I rarely use the flats

Not related to the original question, but just out of curiosity, do you ever climb seated, and if so, where to you put your hands? For me that's one of the standard places and I use it all the time.

My opinion: regardless of whether you use that area or not, just tape over it.

[sean]

The bars are carbon...probably not a good idea to drill holes in them, lol.


DUH :crap:

I had my vintage hat on.

[kramnnim]

Hmm, I only use the flats briefly to get upright for more wind resistance/cooling breeze or to stretch my back. Not many big hills around here, though.

[ergott]

Round bars get wrapped all the way regardless of what you might cover.

That's the law.

http://ergottwheels.smugmug.com/Sports/The-bikes/MG2478/737088489_jEME3-L.jpg

(electric tape was fixed shortly after.)

http://ergottwheels.smugmug.com/Sports/The-bikes/IMG20101031115206/1071509851_Ucc2v-XL.jpg