How to Wrap Your Crazy Bars

by Igor

The Crazy Bar has really become such a quintessential "Alt-Bar" due to their construction, shape, adaptability, and function. Adrian recently built up her Piolet (details and photos in another upcoming post) and opted to use them in leu of her go-to drop bar, the Nouveau Randonneur. She wanted a different position that would be more nimble for off-road riding namely for single and double track. So while we were getting everything buttoned up and going back and forth about the pros and cons of different wraps/grips, I thought it would be a good idea to do a how-to as well as some of the ones we've done!

If this is your first time reading about the Crazy Bars, here is a primer:

These bars are intended for touring on paved and unpaved roads, single and double track, gravel and crushed limestone, and everything in between. The main, swept back section provides good control on rough and tumble surfaces, while the the bullhorn section offers a streamlined position for smoother roads and headwinds. The center portion replicates the top of a drop bar, and placing your hands at the junctions is not unlike riding on the hoods. The grip area is 22.2 for mtb and city components and the horns are 23.8 and accept bar-end shifters.

Here is how you can do my preferred arrangement: a seamless wrap that begins at the horns and ends at the stem, covering the extensions and tops. I then use our Black Cork Grips on the swept back portions. Just like there are different drop bar wrapping techniques, this is one.

Start wrapping from the horns just like you would on the drops. When you get to the junction, wrap under and around to the back of the bar.

 One more wrap back over.

And then continue wrapping the flat portion of the bars. Finish wrapping the bars as you would a drop bar by the stem.

Here's the final result!

In the over 6 years we've carried the Crazy Bars, we've seen all manner of builds with the Crazy Bars being a focal point. Here's a gallery of some other notable wrap jobs, each with their own flair.

Here's a set I saw in France while at a rest stop during the last year's Anjou Velo Vintage ride!

Here's a simple horn wrap if you don't plan on using the tops, or want to keep them clean for accessories.

When we first started testing the Camargue and Crazy Bars, Scott was using bar-end shifters. He had them arranged upside-down to what you would expect as a bar-end on drop bars, but you got used to it really quickly.

Love the super contrasty tape and natural wrap on the tops. Plus the picture is great.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5VXV3ihShs/

No picture of the wrap job, but Pierre's Space Horse with Crazy Bars is super!

You can also use long track grips on the horns! Note the Mini-Rando Bag strapped to the horns for off-road stability.

Bar wrap is cheap and easy, so try some different colors to find your Crazy Bar style.