Best Rim Strip/Tape
08-24-16, 05:22 PM
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Best Rim Strip/Tape
Is there any consensus on what is the best choice for a rim strip or tape? I've used the white Velox tape in the past, and like how it doesn't move around. But I always wondered if the rough surface was tough on tubes?
08-24-16, 05:23 PM
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IMHO. Velox and only Velox. Velox like has not worked for me.
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08-24-16, 05:33 PM
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Velox for me. Stays in place, re-usable, lasts forever, doesn't split over spoke holes. I've tried plenty of others and keep going back to Velox. Never had a problem with the tape rubbing tubes. Some people have very tight fitting tire/rim combos and complain that the Velox is too thick to get the tire on but that would be the only reason for going with something else IMO.
08-24-16, 05:54 PM
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Velox
08-24-16, 06:09 PM
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Sigh...
Sometimes the obvious answer happens to be the correct one!
Sometimes the obvious answer happens to be the correct one!
08-24-16, 06:38 PM
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I am going to go against the tide here and state my preference for Continental Easy Tape. It is thin and slick and makes tire mounting easier. I have never had a problem with it shifting or splitting and they make a high-pressure version which goes to something ridiculously high like 220psi. It comes in many different widths so you can fit your rim exactly.
no tape.
08-24-16, 06:47 PM
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I've used Velox tape, Zipp and Vittoria strips and liked them all.
Never had a problem with a latex tube with any of them.
Never had a problem with a latex tube with any of them.
08-24-16, 07:21 PM
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Another satisfied Velox user. Never leave home without it.
08-24-16, 07:46 PM
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I used to use Velox on everything, but I'm really digging the Pacenti tape these days. Light, strong, and leaves more room in the bottom of the rim for mounting tires. 
08-24-16, 08:01 PM
#11
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I've always used Velox tape on rims. Never saw a need to switch and never found another product that worked remarkably better to warrant switching either. Sure you can spend more money for fancy tape but Velox works.
08-24-16, 08:06 PM
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Kaptan tape. Inexpensive, thin, adheres but doesn't shift around, doesn't leave a residue when removed, and works with all rim types. Did I mention it was inexpensive?
It's also nice to know the dialectric value of your rim tape.
Plus, it's, you know, inexpensive.
It's also nice to know the dialectric value of your rim tape.
Plus, it's, you know, inexpensive.
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08-24-16, 10:12 PM
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...Kapton tape ? Like this stuff https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Kapton-T.../dp/B0049KS03Q ? Have to try it.
08-25-16, 03:59 AM
#14
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I too like Velox but I couldn't find it locally this time. My local Performance bike shop had some cloth Forte' rim tape that was made in France so I bought some and it worked fine.
08-25-16, 07:23 AM
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Yep, that's the stuff. I buy the 17mm wide version on eBay, cost is around $9 per roll. Two layers does the trick.
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08-25-16, 07:42 AM
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You guys are picky! I've found that just about any rim strip will outlast many sets of tires, so I usually just go with the cheapest I can find.
08-25-16, 07:57 AM
#17
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Stiff plastic Fused Loop tapes are an improvement over sticky back cotton.
Especial advantage really noted with the double wall Mavic EX 721 rims, made with a specific channel
in the extrusion die design, so the Strip snaps into that channel..
When spoke replacement is required the adhesion is not needed to secure the tape loop.
& Velox like typical adhesive tape is only properly sticky when New..
./.
Especial advantage really noted with the double wall Mavic EX 721 rims, made with a specific channel
in the extrusion die design, so the Strip snaps into that channel..
When spoke replacement is required the adhesion is not needed to secure the tape loop.
& Velox like typical adhesive tape is only properly sticky when New..
./.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-25-16 at 08:01 AM.
08-25-16, 08:26 AM
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08-25-16, 08:52 AM
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Nobody uses StansNoTubes tape?
I usually use Velox and have used the Forte tape, but this time 22mm was too wide, so I had to use Stan's (21mm) and it was good. Used it on asymmetrical rim with off center spoke holes and it covered perfectly and stayed put. (Not going tubeless, just using the tubeless tape)
I don't like those rubber and plastic strips that snap in place.. they usually shift around on some rims.
I usually use Velox and have used the Forte tape, but this time 22mm was too wide, so I had to use Stan's (21mm) and it was good. Used it on asymmetrical rim with off center spoke holes and it covered perfectly and stayed put. (Not going tubeless, just using the tubeless tape)
I don't like those rubber and plastic strips that snap in place.. they usually shift around on some rims.
08-25-16, 09:00 AM
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Is there any consensus on what is the best choice for a rim strip or tape?
This forum is not "everybody" but a few people's Opinions ... carry on..
./.
08-25-16, 12:38 PM
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For standard rims I still like cloth tape just because it looks and feels nice (yes, I'm OCD enough to care about how something inside the tire looks!) and has always worked for me. I've used Velox, Forte and Newbaum's. They're all about the same as far as I can tell. Newbaum's is made in the USA and Velox isn't Forte, so that sets my order of preference.
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08-25-16, 01:11 PM
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It's thinnest so tires are easier to mount (enough to make the difference between cussing at tools and comfortably hand-mounting tires - I needed tools even with velo plugs putting Continental GP4000S tires on powder coated Velocity Fusions), lightest, least expensive, and removes easily due to light adhesive.
In the unlikely event you want to replace a nipple, you can cut a hole and patch it with two squares.
I switched about 17,000 miles ago in 2014 when I finally moved beyond my archaic Mavic Open Pros which worked great with Velox.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 08-25-16 at 01:23 PM.
08-25-16, 01:13 PM
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