Cyclocross Racing - The Belgian Tape Method

Anyone doing this? I have to glue up 4 wheels this weekend and I have all the stuff but am having second thoughts about the gluing method. The tires I have are totally sweet! Custom made Fango treads glued to FMB casings. They melt like butter in your hands :) So I'm worried about the tape method why? Because it's so damn strong that if I flat and want to repair one of my tubulars I may end up ripping the base tape off trying to get to the puncture. I've had good luck with using just glue and hell even that can be hard to get off but I wanted to try this set up this year since it's supposed to be a great way to do it. Anyway anyone have any experience to share?

Why not just skip the tape and go all glue? Probably more intensive and smellier, but I think you are right that there is real potential to rip the base tape off. Plus, if there is any little gap you could get water or dirt into the bond. I believe some tapes are better than others for the "Belgium" or CyclocrossWorld.com methods. Will you be using Tufo or Velomax tape?

Check out post #2 here: http://ccforums.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=6181

The stuff I got is the tape from Cyclocrossworld. They claim it's what every one in Europe is doing hahaha. I hear though that since it covers the spoke holes it has more gluing surface area and it blocks water from coming in through the spokes. You still use glue with this method not just the tape. So you still need to glue up the edges really well that way water cannot get in under the tire.

IDK still have to think about it.

Never had a problem just gluing. My glue jobs are pretty impossible to remove the tire. I have to be careful not to rip the base tape off.

The stuff I got is the tape from Cyclocrossworld. They claim it's what every one in Europe is doing hahaha. I hear though that since it covers the spoke holes it has more gluing surface area and it blocks water from coming in through the spokes. You still use glue with this method not just the tape. So you still need to glue up the edges really well that way water cannot get in under the tire.

IDK still have to think about it.


i've had good luck with the cxworld "belgian" method"

defintiely do it with tape + glue. I had tried tufo tape alone and it failed when wet. last season or 2 used the cyclocrossworld tape plus vittoria mastik and it was rock solid.

just use straight glue. no reason not to. trying to pick off glued tape is a nightmare.

but if you are worried about ripping off base tape thats no problem. tirealert.com replaces it when they replace tubes for like 10 bucks total

just use straight glue. no reason not to. trying to pick off glued tape is a nightmare.

but if you are worried about ripping off base tape thats no problem. tirealert.com replaces it when they replace tubes for like 10 bucks total

the tire I got back from them wasn't all that great- the base tape is off, so the tire wiggles.

have you had a better experience?

personally i have not but my friends were satisfied. ive also seen plenty of new tubulars with off base tape so nothing it perfect.