*#@%&%* Rim Tape!
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Well my second day commuting did not go very well. I drove to the park and did my quick change and jumped on the bike and *pop* went the back tire. Luckily I was ten feet from the car. Forget 50/50 odds it is always the back tire. After inspection it was revealed the rim tape had a whole. Since I don't carry rim tape and did not want to mess with a temporary fix unless it was an emergancy, I had to throw the bike back in the car and finish my commute by car.
The tape is less then 2 years old. Should I replace it every year to be safe?
I should be back on the bike by Wednesday.
The tape is less then 2 years old. Should I replace it every year to be safe?
I should be back on the bike by Wednesday.
#2
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Your rim tape had a whole what? [ha, ha]
When I bought my hybrid bike in 1992, I replace the rim tapes with poly-somethings I bought from Nashbar. I have not replaced them since. I inspect them at least once a year for tears and nicks.
When I bought my hybrid bike in 1992, I replace the rim tapes with poly-somethings I bought from Nashbar. I have not replaced them since. I inspect them at least once a year for tears and nicks.
#4
It's the fight in the man
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Churton Park, Wellington, NZ
Posts: 1,208
Bikes: Pace RC200 F2 (British Built!)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cloth Tape is pretty good, but at the moment I'm using a plastic tape on my Cross and MTB's...
I went through a lightweight stage of using insulation tape....which never seemed to cause me troubles...
Good luck!!!
Rich
I went through a lightweight stage of using insulation tape....which never seemed to cause me troubles...
Good luck!!!
Rich
__________________
Making New Zealand a safer place :)
Making New Zealand a safer place :)
#5
Mr. Cellophane
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 3,037
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Was the hole a puncture/tear or a worn spot? I suspect that worn spots in rim tape are caused by underinflation that allows the tube to squish around too much. Check your tire pressure often. I check mine before every ride, ie every morning, and each tire always needs a couple of pumps to top off. A good floor pump with a built in guage makes this quick and easy.
Actually, my experience has been that the flat ratio is more like 80/20 rear/front, maybe even 90/10. If you are going to commute by bike, you are going to have flats. Make sure to carry a spare tube (easier to change tubes on the spot then patch it later at home), tire levers, and a frame pump or CO2 inflator. With practice (I have had quite a bit lately) you can change tubes in about 10 minutes and be on your way.
Actually, my experience has been that the flat ratio is more like 80/20 rear/front, maybe even 90/10. If you are going to commute by bike, you are going to have flats. Make sure to carry a spare tube (easier to change tubes on the spot then patch it later at home), tire levers, and a frame pump or CO2 inflator. With practice (I have had quite a bit lately) you can change tubes in about 10 minutes and be on your way.
__________________
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
Last edited by RainmanP; 04-24-01 at 10:27 AM.
#7
Love Me....Love My Bike!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,231
Bikes: Bikes: Giant hybrid, Trek 4500, Cannondale R800 Some commuting 20mi/day, mostly fitness riding - 20-50 mile rides
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Even if you don't carry rim tape, (and who would?) you can get tire boots, which while normally are for the other side of the tube would probably work in a pinch to cover the hole in the rim tape. Park makes them.
__________________
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I got Michelin plastic tape. It is supposed to be better for higher pressure tires. It is a single loop and you have to pry it on. I also got some Velox tape to carry withme. Once burned, twice shy.
I did notice some of holes were becoming bubbled last time I changed the tube but did not think much of it at the time. I always pump up the tires before each ride. Road tires seem to lose more pressure at the high end pretty quick.
I commuted again today and will change the rim tape on the front tire this week.
I did notice some of holes were becoming bubbled last time I changed the tube but did not think much of it at the time. I always pump up the tires before each ride. Road tires seem to lose more pressure at the high end pretty quick.
I commuted again today and will change the rim tape on the front tire this week.