Bicycle Mechanics - That cloth in the rim?

Hi everyone,
So I'm restoring an old Raleigh 3 speed, and the tires had a ton of rot on them. I pulled out the tube and the nylon type of material inside the rim also has been rotted to the core. My assumption is that stuff is in there for a reason (to protect the tube from the spoke screws?), so I'm guessing I should replace it. Am I right? If so, do I get it at the LBS or can I get it at a fabric store?

Yep, it's called rim tape, and it protects the tube from the sharp edges of the spoke holes in the rim, and possibly from the ends of the spokes.

You can buy it at any bike store, but in a pinch I've also used narrow adhesive fabric bandage/sports tape. However, the latter isn't as thick and might not be as durable in the long run.

Its Rim Tape. Lots of us still favour Velox, self-adhesive cloth tape.

Strapping tape works, too.

LBS should have it, and in various widths. Take a piece with you to match the width. Cloth type is probably the best. They also make rubber and vinyl types.

On single wall rims like yours, the most common type of liner is a rubber rim strip (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/kenda-rubber-rim-strips), which is basically a big rubber band wide enough to fill the well of the rim with a hole punched for the valve. These are very cheap (about $1.00 at the bike shop), durable, and do the job as well as anything. Plus they have the benefit of being easily removed and reused if necessary.

Rubber rim strips cannot be used on double wall rims, who's recessed spoke holes need the structure of a cloth strip, but that isn't an issue on your Raleigh.

The problem with non-bike-specific tapes like medical adhesive or strapping tapes is that removing them cleanly is problematic. Velox is very popular and the thin plastic types like those from Continental are nice if space is tight in narrow rims. They are thinner and slicker than the fabric types and tire mounting can be a lot easier.

i just use electrical pvc tape. easy to apply and remove, cheap, makes tyre fitting easier, and does the job. what more do you want

The problem with non-bike-specific tapes like medical adhesive or strapping tapes is that removing them cleanly is problematic. Velox is very popular and the thin plastic types like those from Continental are nice if space is tight in narrow rims. They are thinner and slicker than the fabric types and tire mounting can be a lot easier.

Agreed. I does take a little effort to remove strapping tape/residue that's been on for a long time.
Haven't used it for quite a while. Works in a pinch, though.
I use Veloplugs on one of my bikes - on Velocity wheels, of course.

Agreed. I does take a little effort to remove strapping tape/residue that's been on for a long time.

Xylene (sold as sticker remover, and the major component in the original Goof off) works very well for that. not just for cleaning tape residue off of wheels, but for getting all sorts of adhesive residue off.