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Sorry for what must be a common question. I've searched but not come to a conclusion.
I'm running WTB i29 rims with tubes. The rim tape could do with renewing. When I search for rim tape pretty much all the hits are for tublesss tape.
Can I use tubless tape? Any recommendations and what width would you go for? Thanks
Just use any tape (parcel tape, duct, electrical) it really doesn't matter.
...but I just went for the appropriate tubeless tape for my rims, was precisely the right width, doesn't move anywhere and seems to help awkward tyres mount easier.
Always used electrical tape for tubes personally, both on my bikes and when doing customers' replacement tape
OK, thanks for the replies.... the bottom line seems to be that it doesn't really matter what I use.
If I went the tubeless tape route would I be best to go for the appropriate width for the rims, which for the i29 seems to be 29 + 5 = 34mm? Or as it would be for tubed doesn't it matter as long as I cover the spokes?
The whole tubeless tape thing is a con, all you need to do is cover the spoke holes and any sticky tape will work.
If you want non-tubeless rim tape, then it is available...
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rim-tape-accessories/
If I'm on tubes - that is rather infrequent these days, at lest for me - I'm avoiding sticky tape, and just going for recommended or closest available to recommended width, removable, plastic/vinyl tape. No sticky residue, no faffing around. Just pop it in, done.
Cheers!
I.
Lots of useful feedback. Thanks
For me it depends on the rim and tyre.
If its not tight I would just run a decent snap in rim tape (not the cheap stiff plastic ones), takes seconds to fit and can be removed to replace a spoke etc.
If the tyre is a very tight fit on a rim (a lot of tubeless rims can have shallow rim beds) I sometimes fit tubeless rim tape as it is thin and stays in place and makes fitting a tyre easier.
The reason I want to change it is that the tape that came with the WTB wheel is a plastic non-glued one which moves around when I'm fitting a tyre and sort of folds/creases on itself. I mess around straightening it out and getting it back centrally on the rim (it isn't full width tape) and making sure the holes are covered but it doesn't seem a great fit.