- 1). Remove the existing handlebar tape. In most cases, new tape is installed to the bare bars and not over existing tape.
- 2). Tighten the existing brake lever mounts with the Phillips screwdriver before beginning to rewrap the handlebars. In some cases, the handlebar plugs that hold in the tape will must be loosened with a Philips screwdriver. In other cases, they can be pried out with a flat-blade screwdriver.
- 3). Separate the new tape into two equal length rolls. Most tape comes packaged as two rolls, but some is sold as a larger, single roll.
- 4). Starting at the handlebar's goose neck, and starting the wrap on the underside of the bar, wrap the tape toward the seat, and then over the top of the bar toward the front wheel. Stretch the tape as it is applied, and overlap the tape approximately 1/4 of an inch as you work your way toward the brake lever.
- 5). Stretch the wrap as you apply it, and stretch it around the brake lever. Wrap the tape completely around the lever before continuing toward the end of the handlebar. Wrapping the tape around the brake lever creates a comfortably padded area to grip the bars when riding long distances. Some brake levers have a padded rubber cushion molded and installed on the lever. If your bike already has this rubber padding, the handlebar tape can be slid under the pad rather than wrapped around the lever.
- 6). Continue wrapping the tape all the way to the end of the bar. If the tape was stretched evenly and not overlapped too much, the tape will reach the end of the handlebar with 1 to 2 inches to spare.
- 7). Finish the wrap by trimming off all but 1 inch. Push the wrap into the end of the hollow handlebar. Insert the handlebar plug into the hole, on top of the handlebar tape. The plug will hold the tape in place and finish the wrap. Repeat the process on the other side of the handlebars.
Source...