Someone in one of the threads recommended using heatshrink as a barrier between the bar tape and the aluminum handlebars so that sweat doesn’t affect anything. I’ve seen some people on other forums swear by it. Is this a common thing people do, and is it effective?

I wouldn’t call it common as I rarely see it mentioned. I can’t say I have even seen pictures posted despite hearing it offered more than once. Key question for me in application is what to do around the hood mounts. Do they install the hoods over the fully shrinked bars or is there a deliberate …

In addition to Chad’s questions, I question if the shrink wrap is fully waterproof to humidity, not just liquid. It could end up trapping moisture and making the problem worse.

Search results worth a skim. Crazy Idea (?): Protect Indoor Bike Handlebar with Shrink Wrap Under Bar Tape Corroded aluminum handlebar. Is carbon better? Road bike for trainer - ideas? - #7 by MyMainManSteve

I used heat shrink for years and have never thought of using it for handlebars. It might sound like a good idea, but it’s not really a great idea IMO unless you use the sealing tubing because even with it being tight, it’ll still wick moisture up the tubing. Yeah, that might be rare but it happens m…

Did not read all the replies, but one thing we did at the bike shop I worked at was to carefully wrap the bars with electrical tape, which effectively seals them.

But electrical tape, even the ‘good stuff’ does not last very long, surprisingly. The stickum eventually fails and the tape comes apart. I have been doing electrical work for decades and did the wiring in our current house and have been horrified at the number of outlets and switches I’ve had to rep…

Decent elec tape can work fine and lasts fine for this purpose. I prefer 3M 88 tape.

Me too, and that’s the tape that has failed! People can do what they want, but I’ll only use electrical tape for taping the edge of bar tape, and heat shrink tubing for insulating wire. I mean, who remembers that slip-on foam gorp from the 70’s and 80’s that people put on their BSO’s. (Bicycle shape…

Can’t say I’ve suffered from corroded handlebars in the all the years I’ve been cycling. Which is over half a century.

Sure, neither have I…but just because we personally have not had an issue doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen and shouldn’t be an area of concern / inspection, in general.

Heatshrinking handlebars before applying bar tape to prevent corrosion?

Equipment

mcneese.chad February 27, 2025, 7:07pm 4

Search results worth a skim.

Crazy Idea (?): Protect Indoor Bike Handlebar with Shrink Wrap Under Bar Tape
Corroded aluminum handlebar. Is carbon better?
Road bike for trainer - ideas? - #7 by MyMainManSteve

Topic		Replies	Views
Crazy Idea (?): Protect Indoor Bike Handlebar with Shrink Wrap Under Bar Tape Equipment	33	1819	February 28, 2025
Corroded aluminum handlebar. Is carbon better? Equipment	6	3491	August 30, 2022
Reminder: Change your bar tape every once in a while! Tell your buddies to change their tape! Equipment	23	1998	February 28, 2024
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Heatshrinking handlebars before applying bar tape to prevent corrosion?

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