easystar

Hey all,

Just went down to the LBS and picked up new tubes and some rim tape (stuff that was on there was from the 70s and all shredded up). To my surprise, when I got home and opened it up, the rim tape is actually a sort of non-adhesive rubber band type thing. I thought no problem, I'll just slip it on. Problem is, it seems way too small. Any tricks to get this on my wheels?

Cheers

FBinNY 

First we have to sort out if it's right for your rims.

Single wall rims with the spoke nipples at the top of the inside surface only need to be covered so they don't cut the tube, Anything will do from electrical tape to a rubber band usually made form the same stuff as the tubes. These bands stretch quite easily, so it's just a matter of stretching them on, then making sure they're flat and centered all the way around, with the hole lined up. Often stretching ovalizes the valve hole so I find it easier to put the valve through first, and into the rim, then to stretch the band into place with the valve acting as a place keeper.

Double wall rims with nipples deep in recesses need something different. Here the tube is laying over hollows and needs to be kept from ballooning down into each one under pressure. There are two solutions. Small plugs inserted into each hole, or a ballistic band or tape reinforced so it can't stretch into the holes. I use filament tape for this because it's thinner than the cloth tape made for the job. Or there are urethane bands that look like the cheap rubber strips, but have very little stretch or give. These must be correctly sized for the rim, and typically can only stretch about 10% or less for installation. I believe that Michelin and Continental, still sell these kinds of bands.

So what you need depends on your rim, but if you have hollow rims, and were sold urethane bands, they should be marked for your size rim and be close fit needing only a bit of stretch.

easystar

Thanks for the guidance. I'm working with single walled with spoke nipples. I'll try to muscle the band I've got on with the spoke as a place keeper. If that doesn't work, I suppose I'll just throw on some electrical tape and be done with it, just to get it back on the road.

Cheers

easystar

After finding out that I wasn't doing something completely wrong, I used a bit more muscle (and a couple screwdrivers so as not to pinch my fingers) and was able to get it on my wheel. Here's a pic of the wheel with the band on.



Cheers

FBinNY 

Yep, that's what it should look like.

Hint for the future. When installing one of these bands leave a screwdriver trapped under the band and across the rim. This allows you to reposition the band if you need to. Often the band will end up off center, and you can walk the screwdriver around the rim to center the band and/or line up the valve hole, then slide it out when you're done.

CuttersRidge

Rim Tape vs. Rim Band;



Which? Both? Different circumstances?

fietsbob

fused loop plastic rim strips have become a superior choice for double wall rims..

I have Cured mystery flats in single wall rims with a rubber rim strip, covered with a plastic loop

or 2nd choice.. the sticky Velox cotton tape.. (that would be a Both)


I have a bike supplied with Mavic's 721 EX rims ..
the extrusion die is such that the rim band snaps into a channel that was formed as the aluminum was extruded ..

rather wise design I'd Say ..