One of the most important elements of bike control is the handlebar. Users who often use it as a vehicle prefer to use a braid. What it is, what functions it has and how to correctly perform the winding, we will tell in our article.
What is it for?
The wheel of a road bike is decorated with a winding quite often. For many years, the materials used have changed and improved, but the essence remains the same. The main qualities are considered reliability, elasticity and strength. However, at the same time, the main requirements are set for the braid, which, by the way, are not so many.
First of all, the winding is done so that the cyclist can reliably grab the handlebar in any situation. Hands wet from sweat or rain should not slip. Besides, you can hold on not only to special pens, but also wherever convenient.
In addition, the material makes the bike wheel pleasant to the touch and comfortable. The braid must be strong enough to be actively used in different conditions and at the same time not to spoil. Another factor is the appearance, it must match the tastes of the rider and look beautiful.
The tape acts as a winding, which can be made of different materials. Mostly road bicycles are decorated with it, however, if you wish, you can use it on both simple and mountain ones.
Kinds
On the shelves of the winding for a bicycle steering wheel is presented in a wide range. It is made of various materials and, accordingly, has a different cost.
The highest quality is considered genuine leather winding. It is completely non-slip, pleasant to the touch, not afraid of high humidity and rainfall. However, it should be noted that the price will also be quite high.
Synthetics, incorporating foam, also boasts a long service life. The winding in this case can have a different texture, and the color scheme is varied. The price is many times lower. This tape can often be found on bicycles in adolescents.
In some cases, consumers stop on textile tapes. It should be noted that it has the lowest cost. At the same time, it loses significantly to the previous options. This winding quickly gets wet and dries for a long time.
Cork tape winding is popular among consumers. It should be said that this material is reliable and durable. Moisture is not absorbed, and excess liquid is easily wiped with a napkin. This tape belongs to the middle price category.
However, it must be borne in mind that the cost will directly depend on the manufacturer and the store in which the goods are purchased.
DIY winding options
You can independently perform several braiding options. In the most popular, leather and improvised materials are used. Let's talk about them in more detail.
Leather
Most often, such a tape is purchased in specialized departments. However, in order to save money and in the presence of appropriate materials, it can be made independently. A strip of skin can simply be cut off from any old thing. However, in this case, it must be borne in mind that Only products made of dark skin are suitable. Light shades get dirty very quickly, respectively, will no longer look spectacular.
The use of leatherette is also possible, but its quality will be many times lower. The durability of such a material is also questionable. You need to wind the bike wheel in a warm room. The procedure is performed from the bottom up.
From improvised material
Experts recommend purchasing for a bicycle specialized winding tapes. They are the most reliable and easy to use.. In addition, if you wish, you can stop at a fairly affordable option. However, the use of improvised materials is also possible. Moreover, this method will help to highlight the “iron horse” in the total mass, to make it bright and exclusive.
Before starting work, the steering wheel should be wrapped with electrical tape.. This will help to easily remove the winding when the need for its use disappears. A double-sided tape is wound over the electrical tape, which will help to securely fix the main layer.
For him, you can use various materials, it all depends on the preferences of the cyclist.
Rubber, leather, suede and other ribbons are quite suitable. Nevertheless, it is recommended to give preference to natural materials that are reliable and very pleasant to the touch.
Step-by-step instruction
As mentioned above, the winding can be done independently. However, in this case, attention should be paid to the nuances that can significantly affect the quality of work. First of all, you need to remove the handles. If you have an old winding, you need to completely remove it. The steering wheel is thoroughly cleaned of glue residue, its surface should be smooth. Next, the transmission cables and brakes are fixed.
The sealant is placed under the brake levers. If this is not done, the winding in this section will be of poor quality and interfere with a comfortable ride. When processing the steering wheel on the left side, winding is done clockwise. On the right side - against her. This will help the tape to hold more tightly. The first uterus is done evenly, after which a slight slope can be allowed.
In the case when the tape ends, and the winding has not yet been completed, it must be fixed with a small tape, after which the procedure can be continued.When the work is finished, the brake holders are removed, and the steering wheel is completely wiped from dust and dirt.
Conclusion
If we talk about road bikes, winding on them is done very often. Demand gives rise to supply, respectively, on sale are various options for tapes.
The choice depends on the preferences of the owner.
Not all cyclists decide to do the winding themselves. However, when certain recommendations are followed and the rules are followed, the procedure is not difficult. You can also use improvised materials. The main thing is convenience, comfort and attractive appearance.
In the next video, you will learn how to properly make a winding wheel for a road bike.
