Rim Tape

[Whatleymeister]

Just put the new tyres and tubes onto my new wheels when I realised that I completely forgot to put any rim tape on :roll:

Then sat and thought about it. The tubes sit up in the tyres, not against the rim in any way.other than that, what else would rim tape be for other than to protect tube from rim. In my case, would rim tape even be needed?

Thoughts please. I could be missing something totally obvious though...

 

[Groundoggy]

When you pump 50-60 lbs of air into a tube it is going to conform to whatever shape is available. You need a rim strip. You will soon have a flat that will occur directly above a spoke hole.

I buy Velox rim tape. It's old school and pretty much still the standard.

 

[tintin40]

I've nearly done that in my rush to build and ride. I use electrician tape.

 

[one_bad_mofo]

I used to use proper rim tape back when I was in the 'trade' and could get it cheap, but now I just use a couple of runs of electrical insulation tape. Never seem to have a problem with it and very cheap / lightweigth.

 

[BertR00t]

As above, tube will fill all the space. I also use Velox, cloth goodness and probably a habit by now...

 

[Whatleymeister]

I thought it might, but just wanted to check.

Yup, I did build them up in a bit of an excited hurry! One roll of electrical tape on the shopping list it is then, nice and cheap :roll:

 

[Groundoggy]

I've seen strapping tape used. The stuff with the strings in it. Very tough stuff.

 

[jimo746]

I use Velox rim tape too, you need something, even a few layers of leccy tape is better than nothing.

 

[twain]

does tube slippage factor in the decision at all? or is the pressure enough to stop any chance of this?
why is rim tape made if electrician tape suffices? or [a more appropriate question] why is rim tape made the way it is?

 

[silverclaws]

Always used electricians tape, a few winds of that has always sufficed, lightweight and cheap too. Cycling specific rim tape I have always found to shift all too easily exposing the spokes nipples for the tube to get pierced on. But perhaps cheap rim tape shifts so buy more expensive rim tape, then what would be the point when a 50p roll of electricians tape does the job well without slippage.