Hello all, as the title states, derp. I went off online info stating most MTB rims need 22mm tape. My rims are 26" with inside bead measurement of 20mm and lower spoke channel at 12mm. Factory rim strips are 17mm.

Here are the ones I ordered. Zefal Bicycle Rim Tape, 22mm, Pair

Will these work or do I need to find narrower tape?
TIA and hat tipped,
Steve

IDK, can't see.. since you assume I can see your rim you are asking me to Guess.. since I cannot


Boiler plate :

the tape covers the spoke nipples if not a double wall rim, and the holes deilled over the nips if it is .

but shouldn't be so wide as to lay over where the tire bead seat goes ..

A 22 mm rim strip is intended for double wall MTB rims and if your factory tape was 17 mm, that's what you should use. Too wide tape can interfere with the bead seat of the tire.

+1/2.

Tape has to be wide enough to cover spoke nipples or the holes they're recessed into. It has to be narrow enough not to extend into the area where the tire seats -- the outer 3mm or so on each side.

As long as your tape meets both conditions it'll be OK.

Thanks for the help fellas.

Sorry no pic for ya fietsbob, the tape is still on the UPS truck. I was trying to figure out if I needed to stop at the bike shop on the way to town.

Cheers and happy cycling.

things are simpler in person, LBS,

bringing the wheel with you ..

( if you bought the bike there, the shop would know what rim is used and they would likely give you the right tape..)


but nice that you stopped by ..

but I realize online bike parts can be ordered from the company computer , at work,

From where most people are posting here.

Whaddaya do when it's 10 at night- the LBS is closed- you're meeting your buddies at 6am for a ride- you're mounting new tires and the only tape you have is too wide? You tape one end to the counter, pull it taught, and remove the unwanted portion with a pair of scissors. Takes a couple minutes.

I was going to stick the tape and spin it with a razor blade held against the rim to slice off the excess if needed but I was able to get it in the spoke channel well. It worked fine. Problem is, the online shipper shorted me 1 roll of tape. Ahh, the joys of ordering online!

In a pinch I have used electrical tape. 2 revolutions around the wheel and cut out the valve hole, works perfect.

Ian

Electrical tape may work on a single-wall rim, but because it's so stretchy, it'll deform into the spoke holes of a double-wall rim, allowing the tube to push into those holes and potentially burst. Instead of using electrical tape, you can use a tape with reinforcing strands. The type of packing tape with embedded strands has been used successfully in place of rim tape. Gorilla tape, gaffer tape, or duct tape would probably work in a pinch. These tapes might be messy to remove.

This is why I love participating in forums. Folks always come up with great ideas. That fiber imbedded packing tape idea is great. Stuff is tougher than John Wayne.

This is only a temporary solution, you do not want to put a lot of miles on the wheel before getting proper rim tape. Though I have used it on a mountain bike with dual wall rims and rode it for about a month before changing the rim tape and it was fine. The secret is to pull the tape so it goes on tight.

Ian