Originally Posted by
dddd
There are good techniques for not forcing the rim tape off of it's centering within the rim, mainly it comes down to getting the air-plumped tube inside of the tire in a less-twisted state, so that upon it's coming in contact with the rim tape upon initial inflation, it doesn't impart any sideways shear force on the rim tape.
To this end, I try to install the plumped tube into the tire before fitting the tire to the rim, and then lift (instead of roll) the tube into the rim cavity. This prevents the tube from becoming twisted (which may result in the tube trying to un-twist upon initial inflation, thus moving the rim tape sideways). Alternately, I just as oftenoften install a tube into a tire where one bead is already in the rim cavity, and all of the above applies equally. Another important detail is to get the entire tube into the rim cavity before starting to fit the second bead into the rim! And lastly, I usually do have to let some air out as I am working the second bead into the rim. Never install a tube into the tire and rim before plumping it with some air!
Lots of detail there. Overall, I think I'm pretty gentle with the wheel, tire and tube during assembly and flat repair, I
guess it's possible I displaced the rim tape but it somehow does not seem likely to me. Maybe I should demount the one I just replaced and see if the tape is shifted yet again. And, again, am I using the best rim tape or is there a more reliable product?
Originally Posted by
SJX426
(B) Any kit that uses REMA patches.
Just did a search on Amazon for REMA and got hits on Tip-Top; yup, there's that blue packaging I remember.
Originally Posted by
davester
You forgot the fourth major ingredient, which is sanding off the mould-release compound that coats the outside of the tube before applying the glue. If you don't do this, the patch WILL fail.
Thanks for the warning, likely the reasons I had trouble as a teenager w/patches. Unsure if I can 100% ensure I get that right on the side of the road. At home, I could us an electric jitterbug sander.
Originally Posted by
davester
I think this stems from my paper route teen years when I didn't want to spend the money on tubes (or ride all the way to the bike shop to get them).
I can afford tubes, but I'd rather not throw them away if I can at least re-use them as emergency tubes. And, wow, got an e-mail from a vendor recently on some fancy lightweight tube at over $36 each! Yikes!