Wrapping bars
Printed From: BHPC Forum
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Forum Name: Building
Forum Description: Anything to do with building HPVs
URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=7312
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 4:34am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wrapping bars
Posted By: XAPBob
Subject: Wrapping bars
Date Posted: 05 November 2021 at 8:40pm
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On a flat bar bike, or something like an ICE/catrike there are a variety of moulded and other grips available. On a drop bar bike bar tape is used from the ends to somewhere close to the stem. But in a velo with hamster or arrow head style bars... I find it comfortable to have my hands wrap around the middle of the bar, with a finger or two on the brake lever - and that bit isn't obviously easy to wrap via conventional means. What do other people do? https://www.recumbent.news/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/alve-henricson-quattrovelo-velomobile-13-1024x768.jpg That seems a bit scrappy in the middle, but it's hard to see with the finger in the way This looks *really* neat... I just can't quite see how it's done:  |
Replies:
Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 06 November 2021 at 6:39am
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That's simply two pieces of foam tubing pushed on and butted together (the join can just be seen), little cut out to allow it to go around the downtube. Most have grip shifters so not as neat as that. |
Posted By: XAPBob
Date Posted: 06 November 2021 at 1:08pm
| No clever trickery around the join then, I just didn't expect it to be able to stay so flush around the centre. |
Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 06 November 2021 at 1:23pm
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No just carried out many times at the factory, I'm sure there will be a cutting guide/jig to ensure a neat finish. |
Posted By: XAPBob
Date Posted: 06 November 2021 at 9:04pm
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I'll take a couple of efforts to get something nowhere near then ;)
Bought a pack of four foam covers, and they are just about long enough, I think, to do both sides (I have a shifter mounted on the far right of mine, so it won't be as neat, but it might get close (yeah right))
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Posted By: Kim
Date Posted: 11 November 2021 at 6:10pm
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If you shop around you can buy foam grips in metre lengths (intended for butterfly bars), which is handy if you need to trim it to odd sizes. Also, top tip: Isopropyl alcohol as a lubricant. Does the job, and evaporates completely, rather than drying out and waiting to provide unwanted lubrication when it gets wet (probably less of a problem inside a velomobile, admittedly).
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Posted By: XAPBob
Date Posted: 11 November 2021 at 6:13pm
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I got a set of four from Amazon - just about long enough individually, I’ll try and post a pic later (Not brilliant, but better than cradling cold metal)  You can see where I’ve had to add a half loop of foam underneath the gear indicator window - that’s the only “extra” bit, since a single cut does both sides (one bit of foam rotated by 180 degrees along its long axis. |
Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 12 November 2021 at 7:20am
That'll work just fine 
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Posted By: XAPBob
Date Posted: 12 November 2021 at 9:10am
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Trying to cut stuff that squishes so easily in a straight line is quite hard... I imagine a hot wire cutter might be the way to go, but a fresh Stanley knife blade and a first attempt... not too bad. The "extra" bit it stuck on with some double sided foam adhesive tape (same as I am using to hold my LED strips on the outside - no doubt I'll post about that later as well)
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