Something better than rim tape?

Why isnt there something better than rim tape for tubeless rims? I mean cant it be designed out or something? It just seems like a faff to me?

Google UST.

How much faff is it? Takes a couple of minutes. Maybe a couple more if you have to clean the rim first.

What he said.

Rim tape is almost zero faff. Building ust rims on the other hand is a faff and ends up quite a bit heavier (nipples, eyelets and no drillium in the rim).

Why isnt there something better than rim tape for tubeless rims?

There is – tubeless tape. Rim tape is for tubes.

Whats better than stand tape/Tesa tape…..

Clear gorilla tape. Far better zero faff. Actually sticks and removes in one piece.

I get what Andy is saying ,in a world of such advanced technology we are asked to put some sticky tape on rims to keep air and sealant in them.
I personally think whilst the cycling sport has brought us some game changing things like dropper posts and disc brakes and for that we salute you but instead of designing bearings that last or a drivetrain not exposed to the filth most of us ride in ,recently it’s decided to give us stuff we dont actually need.

^Like 🙂

I have never used ‘rim tape’. I just use the rubbery rim strips? You know, go over the rim like a big elastic band., like this…

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/schwalbe-rim-tape-pu-559-32mm-mtb-26-27911

not had any issues so far on either bike. I did try Stan’s tape once but it was a bit if faff getting it to stick.

Mavic do rim strips, which worked very well on my Mavics, Sort of wheel sized rubber bands that fit certain rims, not sure what options are available worked on my 419s

https://www.bike24.com/p265984.html

I find tubeless tape to be a marvel. How do they make it so unconforming? It’s horribly rigid. Meh..

Several companies do rim strips. They are heavier than tubeless tape however the caffelatex one I used did solve the issue on some awkward road wheels.

Specialized 2Bliss rim strips

Tape is super light, and works, there’s other options but ime none of them make as much sense.

One thing that makes a difference ime is really wide, sealed/welded rims- the main reason I’ve had issues with tape over the years is when you change a tyre and the tape gets damaged in the process. With wider rims, you can tape just the centre/recess, and avoid where the tyre sits, and suddenly it’s all basically indestructible

Rim strips fail when you need to put a tube in if you have an unsealable puncture as you need the rim to be taped as well.

Just use tesa tape 🙂

@stevemuzzy That’s a load of rubbish, they don’t at all. Modern ones use seperate valves so you just take that out and put the tube valve in its place. Unsurprisingly they work fine as a rim strip.

Other than a slight weight penalty the strips are way, way, way easier (though I agree taping isn’t difficult).

By far the best solution I’ve seen for going tubeless with no need for rim tape of any kind was a set of Crank Bros Iodine wheels. Because the spokes, not that there were many of them, joined the rim outside of where the tyre sat, you don’t need any tape. I can’t be doing with finding a picture of them but whilst they weren’t without their faults, I thought that was a pretty good solution.

I even snapped one of the spokes once and managed to change it without removing the wheel from the bike or the tyre from the rim.

I have to admit tubeless tape (especially stans is a bit naff).
I always assumed that was just something to live with…until…

My new Specialised Roval carbon wheels came fitted with little rubber plugs in every spoke hole. I was sceptical but they went up instantaneously and seem to much better at holding air than any other setup I have tried. Cant understand why this hasn’t been done before. I wonder if the plugs can be bought separately??

So You can!

Someone else used to sell plugs but they were expensive and didn’t catch on.

in a world of such advanced technology we are asked to put some sticky tape on rims to keep air and sealant in them

Mavic’s UST rims have been out since erm.. 2005? maybe earlier. Definitely better than tape and doesn’t make for a heavy rim.
Bontrager TLR rims use a rubber strip, not sticky tape. So alternatives are available.

The other solution, borrowed from fat biking is skinny strippers (google fatty strippers, they do a slim version), basicly a latex band that goes over the rim, tyre goes on and inflates, trim off the excess. After a couple of weeks the tyre bonds to the latex forming a pseudo tubular that wont ever burp. And if your carefull when changing tyres will stay sealed enough to re-use (just fit a new strip to each tyre).

I find tubeless tape to be a marvel. How do they make it so unconforming? It’s horribly rigid. Meh..

Its to make it strong enough to resist being pushed through the spoke holes. High molecular weight poly polyethylene and formed by stretching it out so the molecules align iirc (kinda like dyneema).

You can get away with pvc tape at mtb pressures. Just be carefull how high you inflate them when seating tyres.

Stans, Tesa etc are all a PITA on normal width (ie probably sub 30mm internal) rims in my opinion – just too inflexible and never sticky enough. Gorilla Tape every time for me, until I stupidly decide to give the “proper” tape another go… Way easier to install and easy enough to clean the rims afterwards if needed. Generally cheaper too!

Guess I have been lucky as must have used tubeless tape on at least 10 wheels without a single issue.

Way easier to install and easy enough to clean the rims afterwards if needed. Generally cheaper too!

Not convinced, I think I paid less for what will probably be a lifetimes supply of tessa than a roll of gorrilla!

Also, gorrilla tape soaks up water (remember water gets in through the spokes from underneath as well) and sealent ends up a heavy sticky saturated mess.

And it leaves a right mess of glue behind!

@thisisnotaspoon…..

There is no way you will get me to google fatty strippers……..

Also, gorrilla tape soaks up water (remember water gets in through the spokes from underneath as well) and sealent ends up a heavy sticky saturated mess.

And it leaves a right mess of glue behind!

Gorilla is a brand.it is evident your using the wrong product from the range.

Clean rim, warm indoor temps, apply tension to tape and work a 6-10″ or so run at a time focusing on centered contact in the curved rim bed worked in with your thumb.
Zero bubbles, 100% contact and blast with your wifes hairdryer afterwards to work the edges down and you’re set.
This is with DT tape. Stans same process but it as good. I’m not sure if Tessa is Stans or DT.

DT used to sell a tubeless kit for their rims. Translucent red rim strip. also had ridges to stop the tyre popping back into the rim bed. Interesting stuff but rim tape is far better.

Interested in those fatty things for a 3.0 purgatory grid that won’t hold a bead on low pressures on a 40mm internal rim.

I know what the OP means, tubeless tape can become a PITA if you change tyres much.

Gorilla tape works better for me in that regard, seems slightly less likely to get messed up as you take a tyre off, but still far from perfect.

Just for clarity with gorilla, don’t use the normal black stuff, it’s ****ing awful. It does seal up well, which is good… But it soaks up sealant and loses stick over time and when you come to remove it, it’s a total nightmare to get the residue and bits of tape off. Petrol, carb cleaner, you name it I’ve tried it and it always comes down to elbow grease and misery.

The clear stuff is very different, but hard to find in narrow sizes (I use the 50mm in the fatbike, perfect)

Honestly, stans tape and roval blue tape both work really well but if you don’t like those, then just get some good quality electric tape and do a couple of wraps.

UST vs tape- UST is heavier, it can’t be any other way- if the rim weighs the same, it’s only possible because they’ve moved metal from elsewhere to complete the rim seal. Me, I’d rather have the metal where it adds strength and width, and tape in a place where you don’t need strength. It’s a standard that more or less died the day Stans put out their first TLR rim, and they’ve pissed about with it ever since.

I use gorilla tape then seal it with one run of pvc tape to stop any water /sealant getting in or out.
Tubeless rim tape works sure but it isn’t the best solution out there in a world full of technilogical wonders .

I’ve just removed some Black Gorilla tape and it was a bit of a faff, but it hadn’t soaked any sealant up. Trying Tesa for the first time on a few different wheels.

Did 2 narrow XC rims for a friend and one of my 27mm SC Reserve wheels. They went up and it worked well, but it wasn’t the bliss I’ve read about. I did end up splitting the tape with my thumb twice pushing it into the rim bed.

I agree that it’s pretty rigid (more than it needs to be really). Going to try clear Gorilla tape next time I have to do it.

google fatty strippers

Those fatty strippers look great but not sure they’re the ones your talking about.

I’ve used DT Swiss tape and wtb tape (thy ink this is the same yellow stuff that is branded stand and sold as Tesa).

I found the wtb tape stretchier – I didn’t work it into the rim as I went round with a thumb – I had the wheel on a truing stand and really lent on the tape as I went round stretching it as I pulled it down into the bed of the rim. Overlapped it about 4” either side of the valve hole. I then went round with a plastic tyre lever and made sure the edges were all pressed down firmly.

Worked perfectly and I took tyres on and off a few times with no issues (think it was 27mm tape on a 25mm internal rim.It was a wtb sti25 rim for reference.

I’m less convinced on the DT tape – it didn’t stretch on in quite the same way and when I’ve taken tyres on and off each time it looks like the tape is losing its black colour somehow. It’s still sealing fine but looks less well stuck on than the wtb stuff. This is 32mm tape on a 30mm internal xm481 rim.

This may have been down to how I’ve applied it though as I have a factory set of e1900’s which look like they have the same tape and they still look good as new.

OP asks why there isn’t a better solution to rim tape.

It’s been answered above, Specialized 2bliss rim strips. I reckon it takes 30 seconds to open the packet and stretch them round a rim. No need to tape them at all.

I’ve never had one leak or not seal first time. They’re brilliant.

£3.50 per rim too!

(ok, I appreciate they don’t fit all rim widths…🤫)

Dunno what’s happening to people suffering from Gorilla tape soaking up water/sealant as it’s never happened to me in years. Literally never had a wheel I’ve put it on ever lose any air due to the tape. Can’t comment on what it’s like to remove as I’ve never had to. Fit and forget for me.

Not saying there aren’t better alternatives but that works for me and hasn’t failed yet.