Road Cycling - Rim Tape question

I am installing a new tire and tube on a wheelset 700c that i am building for my trek 5500.Just got back to biking after 15 years. I have recently come accross a " RIM TAPE ". 15 years ago, i have installed tires and tubes but have not used any rim tape in asia. I now have an aero rim-velocity spartacus pro to be exact. Do i have to use a rim tape ? If i do, what is the correct way to install them and what size of rim tape do i have to use ? Can anyone also tell me the right way of installing new tubes and tires ? Just want to refresh my memory.I just don't want to mess up during installation. It hurts my pocket if things go wrong. Thanks in advance. Here's a photo of my project that i'm working on.

I am installing a new tire and tube on a wheelset 700c that i am building for my trek 5500.Just got back to biking after 15 years. I have recently come accross a " RIM TAPE ". 15 years ago, i have installed tires and tubes but have not used any rim tape in asia. I now have an aero rim-velocity spartacus pro to be exact. Do i have to use a rim tape ?
Rim tape goes around the inside of the rim to prevent a spoke from puncturing the tube. See the picture below.


Can anyone also tell me the right way of installing new tubes and tires ? Just want to refresh my memory.I just don't want to mess up during installation.
We can tell you but the best way is have an experienced cyclist or bike mechanic show you. Talk to the folks at your LBS.

Just ask a LBS on how to install it, it's simple adhesive backed material, as you can see the picture above, the tape is precut for either a presta or shraeder rim so you buy that one with the relative width of the rim base (or you can just bring the wheel to the LBS) and buy the appropriate width tape with the appropriate valve type for the appropriate rim size. Installation is simple as shown above, line up the valve hole with the hole in the rim and use you finger to cover up all the spoke holes and cut any excess.

Jay

The Velox brand in the pic is generally regarded as the best. Its cheap, and effective.
We are, I hope, talking about standard clincher rims, which use a separate inner tube and tyre. Tubular tyres, used for high-end racing, must be applied to the bare metal.

Get the ultra light carbon fibre rim tape. You'll save 1/1000 of a gram per wheel!

The Velox brand in the pic is generally regarded as the best. Its cheap, and effective.

Ron and Michael, thanks for the inputs and comments. I bought me a velox rim tape from our LBS and put in my new continental GP 3000 tires and michelin tubes with no problem. Took me 15-20 min. when i installed the first one and just 10 min. the second one. The velox rim tape i bought was exactly the same one showed in the picture Ron posted. Thank you very much to all of you who shared the knowledge regarding this topic. Here's the picture of the intalled tires/tubes.

Ron and Michael, thanks for the inputs and comments. I bought me a velox rim tape from our LBS and put in my new continental GP 3000 tires and michelin tubes with no problem. Took me 15-20 min. when i installed the first one and just 10 min. the second one. The velox rim tape i bought was exactly the same one showed in the picture Ron posted. Thank you very much to all of you who shared the knowledge regarding this topic. Here's the picture of the intalled tires/tubes.
Good job. :beer:

Good choice in tires too. I have Conti GP 3000s on my road bike and average ~1500 miles between flats.


Now all you need are some pedals. :D

Good job. :beer:


Now all you need are some pedals. :D

Ron, look pedals should be here today. I have all the needed parts- all new campy record all the way except for the brake calipers. I wanted to put a set of dura ace brakes and i'm looking for the new 7800 brake set at ebay. For some reason i prefer the shimano brake set than the campy record. I'm trying to be patient here specially when you only have 2 parts missing before it's complete. Can't wait to ride on this dream bike - a trek 5500 carbon frame/fork for $200.00 @ ebay. This was just PURE LUCK when i purchased it. ;) I'm getting too excited here when all is complete and do a test drive.

I never use the stuff.

10 minutes to instal rim tape? What on earth could take that long to do? 30 seconds is about the amount of time it takes me.

10 minutes to instal rim tape? What on earth could take that long to do? 30 seconds is about the amount of time it takes me.

Chill, Dave. He's new to it. I like to take my time when doing any work on my bike, just to extend the pleasure of the work. Ten minutes to install rim tape and do it right isn't that bad. Especially if you include installing the tube and tire and pumping the whole thing up in the time estimate.

10 minutes to instal rim tape? What on earth could take that long to do? 30 seconds is about the amount of time it takes me.

Hello dave. If you read my statement carefully it says installing the new conti gp 3000,tubes and rim tape. It did not tell you specifically to install the rim tape for 10 min. Althought the topic was about rim tape but the statement was for installing the tires,tubes and rim tape. You don't have to be a scientist to figure it out Ron's picture tells you everything and needed nothing else.