Ordered a complete spare wheel, gears and all. Original wheel for trainer, new one for riding. Original wheel is Jalco DRX2000. New wheel is ZAC19 by Weinmann. Did the bike shop forget to mention installing rim tape? Barely used it and already have a flat. Have never seen a rim setup where the spoke nipples are recessed like in the picture. The flat is right over one of the recesses. I'm guessing rim tape is needed to keep the tube from expanding into hole?

That would be correct. Buy Velox rim tape in the correct width for your rim. It needs to completely cover the holes.

You must use rim tape. This is not included with wheels. Make sure to use good cloth tape like Velox etc.

thanks. a little disappointed with the LBS since this was supposed to be a drop in wheel replacement. Bought rim, tire, hub, gear set, tubes, etc. and even paid a little for assembly. How long has this recessed spoke rim design been around? Technical term?

It's called a double walled rim and adds strength. It has been around for years.

Decades....

=8-)

Did the LBS mount the tire? IF so, they screwed up. If not, pick option 2.

You can use electrical tape instead of rim tape, but need to wrap it round to build up a couple of layers. Will cost you next to nothing and chances are you already have some in your toolbox.

https://www.madegood.org/bikes/library/replace-rim-tape/

Can't see what rim tape has over electrical tape, unless someone can give me a good answer?

Want a gooey mess when it comes off...sure....

But Velox is literally fool proof...minimal mess when removed and can be re-used.

=8-)

I've used GOOD quality duct tape on a pair of 27" rims in a pinch.
3 Layers, 1/3 the width of the roll.

I was pleasanty surprised there wasn't a gooey mess when dealing with the wheel 3-4 years later.

Not all duct tapes are the same...

=8-)

Whatever tap you use it should be a fabric type to provide structure so it doesn't blow into the hole the way your tube did. I've successfully used cloth surgical tape, and filament tape. Some companies also sell non-adhesive polyurathane bands that have just enough stretch to fit over the rim, yet not enough to stretch into the hole. I like these because the can be removed and replaced if I have to work on the wheel. They're also thinner so tight tires are easier to mount.

BTW- if the bike shop simply forgot the the strip when bundling the deal, I'd forgive them, But if they mounted a tire and tube without the strip their mechanics are way past due for retraining.

Two layers of electrical is not going to do the job on a high pressure road wheel. A combination of filament tape and electrical tape may work OK but Velox is best and it's reusable.

thanks for the info. I've heard of double wall construction but apparently didn't know exactly what it was. Mystery solved. Just ordered some velo-plugs from Amazon. If they don't work as advertised will get some velo-tape.