How to Wrap a Grepp Handlebar Tape Like a Pro

If you know Grepp, you probably also know how important the right handlebar tape is for your ride. It’s not just about looks - it’s about comfort, performance, and keeping your hands where they belong: firmly on the bars, no matter the conditions. Today, we’re going to walk you through how to wrap our reusable bar tape on your bike! Whether you’re gearing up for your next adventure or simply giving your bike a refresh, we’ve got you covered.

What You’ll Need:

• Your bike (with the old tape removed and clean handlebars) 
• Grepp handlebar tape (obviously!)
• Bar end plugs
• Scissors
• Electrical tape (if you want to wrap from the drops to the tops, we usually go the other way: tops → drops  for a clean finish)
• Optional: instant glue to seal the ends and prevent fraying

When wrapping your Grepp tape, you have two methods to choose from: Tops-to-Drops and Drops-to-Tops. We recommend the Tops-to-Drops method because it doesn’t require electrical tape and eliminates the need to trim the tape, giving you a clean, secure wrap with fewer finishing touches. In this blogpost, we explain both, starting with Top-to-Drops.

Top-to-Drops

When you’re set to wrap, you’ll notice our Grepp handlebar tape comes pre-cut at a 45-degree angle—this detail helps get a clean, tight wrap right from the start. If you’re on the left side, position the longer edge pointing outward so it overlaps neatly as you wrap, gripping tightly for a solid foundation.

 

Place the cut end on the underside of the handlebar to keep the initial layers a bit thicker where you won’t feel them under your grip. Hold the tape snugly in place and wrap a few turns to secure it. Keep steady tension ; no slack here, or it might slip as you continue. You’ll notice that by wrapping in this “pull direction,” each turn of the tape tightens itself further, keeping everything just as snug and grippy as it should be. To ensure a snug and tight wrap, wrap your hands around the bar and turn before you continue. This will tighten the first revolutions and ensure the tape is not slipping.

Wrapping Around the Brake Hoods

Once you’re near the brake hoods, flip them back to give yourself room to wrap cleanly. Use a figure-eight wrap around the hoods, covering any gaps and keeping the tape nice and smooth. With Grepp’s strong, flexible tape, you can pull it tightly so it fits right into every nook around the hoods.

After wrapping around the hoods, check for even coverage, then continue down toward the drops.

Wrapping to the Drops and Finishing

As you move down the drops, your initial setup and tension will make wrapping feel natural. The angled cut guides the tape securely in the wrap’s direction, so it stays tight as you go. At the bar’s end, finish with your bar end plug, making sure to keep the tape taut. Before cutting, check that the final loop lines up with the bar’s edge. Once it does, leave 5-8 cm of slack and cut.

With this method, you can actually tuck the whole tape into the bar without needing to cut it further. This means if you want to switch to a wider bar, you can reuse the same tape—sustainable and simple! To finish, push in the bar end plug, and you’re good to go.

 

Drops-to-Tops

First things first, begin wrapping at the bottom of your handlebars with the Grepp tape. Position the tape at the end of the bar and wrap clockwise. Make sure to catch the end of the tape underneath with your first loop to secure it.
Here’s a little trick: hold the tape under tension, keeping it snug but not overly tight. Once the first loop is set, grab your bar end plug and push it into place. You can always adjust it later, but this will hold everything steady as you move forward.

 

Wrapping the Drops

Now, you’re ready to work your way up the drops using your Grepp cloth bar tape. Keep the tension steady throughout the process - don’t worry, our Grepp Gripper bar tape is tough and won’t rip!
The key here is to maintain an even overlap and tension. You want a smooth, consistent surface without creating any bulky areas early on. If you mess up or notice uneven spacing, don’t stress. One of the great things about Grepp tape is that it doesn’t have adhesive backing, so you can unwrap and re-wrap until it’s perfect without damaging anything.

Prepping the Hoods

Before you reach the brake hoods, flip them back to give yourself room to wrap cleanly around this area. If you prefer, you can pull the hoods back before even starting the process - either way works!

 

Wrapping Around the Hoods

Here comes the fun part: the figure-eight wraps around the hoods. This part might take a bit of practice, but once you’ve got it, you’ll nail it every time. Wrap in a figure-eight pattern to cover all the gaps around the hoods. Our Grepp gripper tape is flexible and strong enough to pull tight and fit snugly into every nook and cranny.
Once you’ve finished wrapping the hoods, take a quick moment to check that everything is covered and looking neat before continuing up the bars.

Wrapping the Tops

Now it’s just a matter of working your way up to the tops of the bars. Keep that steady tension, and keep an eye on your overlaps so everything stays smooth.

 

Finishing Up

When you reach the end of your bars, you’ll need to cut the Grepp bar tape to finish. Cut it at a diagonal angle to create a clean, straight edge.
Here’s an important tip: when applying the electrical tape, wrap it in the opposite direction of your handlebar tape. This prevents the tape from fraying when you eventually remove it. Wrap the electrical tape a couple of times around the bar, keeping it tight, and then cut it off when you’re satisfied.

Final Touch: Securing the Bar End Plug

Now for the final step: securing the bar end plug. Take the inner part of your plug, make sure everything is tidy, and push it into place. This gives your handlebar tape a polished, professional look and ensures everything stays secure.

 

And that’s it—you’re ready to hit the road! Whether you're cycling down gravel trails or cruising city streets, your bars are wrapped with Grepp reusable bar tape, and your hands will stay grippy and comfortable no matter what the ride throws at you.
Take care, and happy riding! #Grepp #GreppGripper #grepphandlebartape #greppcc #grepptape