curtwally

Hi,

Can anyone offer advisement on how to properly replace a tubular on a carbon fiber rim that has Tuffo Extreme gluing tape previously applied. Do or can I take , off the old tape and re-apply new tape or will the tape work again for a new tubular. Thanks for suggestions.

trelhak

I always use a new tape. I'm not sure, but I think the tape is single use, not like glue. The tire is a pain to remove, but with a plastic tire lever you can get it off without shredding the tape. A hairdryer will soften up the tape and make it easy to remove from the rim in one sticky strip.

Unless you're really ham-fisted removing the tire you shouldn't have any problems at all.

Bear in mind, but without trying to incur a panic, that there have been incidents in the past of Tufo tape pulling the tire bed off the rim along with the tire and rumors that Zipp will refuse to honor warranty issues if you've ued Tufo tape.

I used to use the tape, but I have since given it up and gone back to glue (Continental). Every tape job I've ever done has been as strong as any glue job, but they all develop these irritating "clicking" noises, sounding almost as if it's coming un-glued and re-gluing itself.

curtwally

Hi trelhak,

Thanks,

This is my first tubular flat in modern history (this milleniium). After getting back into biking 7 years ago I went with clinchers. Back in my race days we always had tubulars and glue. But last summer I took the plunge back into tubulars and boy the tape idea sounded great and really went on quite easily. I just took it off after your note and it had a very strong bond. From memory it was better than my tubular jobs from many years ago. The base tape actually came off (mostly) with the tape on the tire so I will use new/new as you suggest is best. Should I lightly sand the carbon surface of leave it alone? Thanks again

trelhak

With regards to sanding carbon tire beds, I've heard both "you should always sand" and "don't ever sand". Personally, I don't sand. With both metal and carbon rims, I just clean the tire bed with isopropyl alcohol and leave it at that. It's not like the tire bed is lacquered or teflon-coated, right?

No one's ever told me definitively but supposedly, sanding roughs up the surface and promotes greater adhesion. The people who say sanding is unnecessary point out that tire glue is a contact cement and doesn't rely on the nature of the surface for its adhesion.

The Tufo tape, on the other hand, isn't the same kind of glue, so all the "rules" for gluing kind of go out the window.

curtwally

Thanks again for the advice.

curtwally