ivan_yulaev

So, here's what it says on the rec.bicycles FAQ

Now, I used duct tape on my latest set of wheels (Mavic OPs with Shimano 105 hubs). While it did require 2-3 layers (1 layer wasn't enough for 120psi), it seems to be just fine. I had to replace a rear rim, and removing the duct tape really wasn't too hard. It left a little residue, but not much else.

So, are my wheels going to self-destruct, or what?

Raiyn

Why didn't you just get a couple rolls of rim tape when you bought your wheels? It's not like it's expensive. You should have planned for it when buying the wheels. We're talking less than $5 here for BOTH wheels. Now like you quoted you have a sticky mess that is going to be all kinds of fun to get off when you eventually will need to. Yeah it works, but the right way is just so much easier to deal with it makes the couple bucks worthwhile.

2manybikes

Rayin has it right.

Taking the duct tape off later can be a BIG hassle. Not worth the original savings. If you count your time or the bike shops time to take off the tape a year from now, you probably did not save anything.

Raiyn

Better hope it's his time.

KrisPistofferson

Why didn't you just use electrical tape?

ivan_yulaev

Didn't I mention that taking it off was pretty easy? I've never removed real rim tape, but it took me less than 5 minutes, so I don't see how it can be THAT much easier to get off.

allgoo19

Taking off the remaining glue on the surface is not that difficult. Use another piece of duct tape, press it and lift then repeat several time. It's usually comes off easily depending on the texture of the surface and the shape of the surface and age of the glue. Just make sure your fingers are protected in some way, or otherwise your skin comes off and it hurts so bad.
I used two layers of duct tape behind the tire wall as a boot to protect the tube from sticking out the hole on the side wall. And when I mentined it in here, someone told me that the glue makes a hole in the tube(from degradation?). That's a big possibility but I have been too lazy to replace it. As someone suggested, electrical tape may not be a bad idea.

2manybikes

All duct tape is not the same. It also depends on how long it has been on, and if it got wet. Some comes right off, some falls apart into little pieces, some leaves a lot of glue. Some just barely comes off.

It all looks the same when it is new. You were lucky.

531Aussie

duct tape, gaffer tape and electrical tape aren't strong enough if you like to use more than ~110psi. It holds for a while, but will eventually let the tube pop through the spoke nipple recess

vainamoinen

try a single layer of black cloth friction (electrical) tape folowed by a single layer of fiberglass reinforced strapping tape. Both in the 3/4 inch wide size. Two rolls will do about eight pairs of wheels for the price of conventional rim tape for a single pair of wheels.

531Aussie

all this stuff probably does an OK job, but, as Rayon said: it's not like proper rim tape is expensive or hard to get. I also reckon it's easier to apply than the other tapes.

RJOsprey

I used black plastic electrical tape, 1 layer, and then put fiberglass reinforced strapping tape over that, one layer with slight overlap - it seems to work great. But I will admit the plastic tape stretches some. The fiberglass tape can be ripped from the roll any width you want since the parallel fiberglass strands prevent the width from changing. I have seen very old fiberglass tape get weak with age and dryness in the sun - but this worry should be considerably lessened inside the wheel. This combo seems a lot stronger then rim tape, and it is certainly inexpensive.

MattP.

My personal reccomendation:

Velox Rim Tape

Not terribly expensive either.

capwater

If saving the couple of bucks on Velox is a make it or break it situation you don't have enough money to be in the sport of biking. Sometimes the specialty stuff is there for a reason. All those alternatives would be OK in a pinch, but it makes no sense in the long term.

Blackberry

What he says. Why not just use a cheap, readily available product that you know is going to work.

bostontrevor

Feh. At this point, all but one of my wheelsets is lined with electrical tape. It works just fine, it goes on quickly, comes off easily, no fuss no muss, I run my tires at 120 psi.

I've got thousands of miles with this setup on many different wheels.

No, there's not a great reason to skip out on the Velox, but then I've found that there's no great reason not to go with the vinyl tape either.

Just because something is purpose-made for the job doesn't mean that's the only solution.

How many of you have a Park toe-in adjuster so that you can adjust the toe-in on your brakes? How many buy Simple Green degreaser instead of Pedro's? Must I buy a peanutbutter wrench to put on my track wheels or is an Ace 15mm acceptable?

Little Darwin

Oh my goodness, I think this is what I need... The light finally came on.

I changed from stock knobby tires on my Giant Sedona DX to 80 PSI tires last year, and got a few leaks near the stem within a couple of weeks.

I solved the problem by using a set of heavy thorn proof tubes, and have ridden for a while without issue. Even though they are much thicker on the outside, they are also somewhat thicker on the inner surface, which is what I am counting on to keep me from too many flats.

Now I may get some rim tape to replace the rubber strip that I have and I should be able to use the lighter standard tubes...

Does this sound reasonable?