I second having the tape slightly wider (1-2 mm) than the rim as the tire bead helps really stick the tape down as its aired up. I only use rubbing alcohol and and old sock to get the rim bed somewhat clean it does not have to be perfect. You also should not be stretching it until you bleed, the tape should be taut but not stretched. Apply on a truing stand if you have one.
Latest tape update... I've tried some 19mm 4289 on 30mm ID rims but couldn't get one rim / tyre to seal due to a big dent in the rim from a massive kerb case. I think the tape wasn't sealing over the dent. I ended up running a tube to allow me to ride the wheel.
I've just ordered some more 30mm wide 4289 from Viking tapes in UK (who will cut to the width you want). £10 for 60m inc delivery. I'm hoping that I can seal between the tape and tyre bead (similar to split tube tubeless which I used for years with great results) rather than tape, rim and bead. Which will eliminate one place for leaks to occur (tape / rim junction).
My end goal is to be able to tape up rims once and get multiple tyre changes out of one set of tape. With 3 sets of wheels over 2 bikes it's a PITA having to retape every time I change tyres which I had to do with Gorilla tape. At least 4289 is much cheaper than 25mm Gorilla tape (£10 for 60m cf £10 for 10m) and less messy re residue.
Posted by: fartymarty
Latest tape update... I've tried some 19mm 4289 on 30mm ID rims but couldn't get one rim / tyre to seal due to a big dent in the rim from a massive kerb case. I think the tape wasn't sealing over the dent. I ended up running a tube to allow me to ride the wheel.
I've had success adding an extra piece or pieces of tape to a damaged area of a metal rim where it wouldn't seal and getting the tire to seal fine.
Good tip, I may well have to do that
I applaud your efforts to get a quality rim tape for a reasonable price. I got some of this stuff last year
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ca/en/wtb-tcs-tubeless-rim-tape-11m-/rp-prod66624
It's a good price and you can just order it in the size you need. It is the same stuff as stans as far as I can tell.
Posted by: fartymarty
My end goal is to be able to tape up rims once and get multiple tyre changes out of one set of tape. With 3 sets of wheels over 2 bikes it's a PITA having to retape every time I change tyres which I had to do with Gorilla tape. At least 4289 is much cheaper than 25mm Gorilla tape (£10 for 60m cf £10 for 10m) and less messy re residue.
I've changed a few sets of tyres now and the Tesa 4289 is doing the job. Tape up and forget.
Also the tip of installing a tube to seat the tubeless tape works a treat.
Has anyone had any success with non-bulk orders of the 4289/4288/4287 tape? Although the price per tape per meter is exceptional value I'm looking at a minimum of $110CAD for 6 rolls from uline.
I really like the look of it, the 4287 is also interesting as it's a thinner tape and it'll be more tubeless tape than I'll ever use in this lifetim and for value etc it's a larger upfront but if I can find a single roll that'd be peachy keen.
random: currently using scotch 8896; $20 per 25mm x 55m roll from amazon. no complaints.
Posted by: xy9ine
random: currently using scotch 8896; $20 per 25mm x 55m roll from amazon. no complaints.
8896 ? That's more than double ! Thanks, I'll give it a run
Posted by: xy9ine
random: currently using scotch 8896; $20 per 25mm x 55m roll from amazon. no complaints.
On what width rims?
After bitching about stans at the start of this thread, I gotta say, using 32-33mm tape on 30mm rims has been ace. I'm pretty sure I'm batting 1000 on the last half a dozen tape jobs or so I've done since switching width.
Yep, going slightly over-width for the rim bed is the key, I've found, regardless of the type of tape used.
With the current cold temperatures, i find it harder than usual to get the tubeless tape to stick. Someone mentioned the Specialized rim strips further up in this thread; would that be a good alternative? If so, should i go with same width as the tubeless tape (1-2 mm wider than the rim)?
Heat gun helps
Posted by: olaa
With the current cold temperatures, i find it harder than usual to get the tubeless tape to stick. Someone mentioned the Specialized rim strips further up in this thread; would that be a good alternative? If so, should i go with same width as the tubeless tape (1-2 mm wider than the rim)?
Ditto. I waited till it warmed up a bit. Or store your wheels inside and tape inside.
Posted by: fartymarty
Posted by: olaa
With the current cold temperatures, i find it harder than usual to get the tubeless tape to stick. Someone mentioned the Specialized rim strips further up in this thread; would that be a good alternative? If so, should i go with same width as the tubeless tape (1-2 mm wider than the rim)?
Ditto. I waited till it warmed up a bit. Or store your wheels inside and tape inside.
Yup, ended up inside with a hairdryer to get some proper heat. And the taping did work.
But that doesn't stop me from being slightly annoyed at the process and trying to find a better solution. So, rim strips will probably be tried, along with other possible solutions. And of course with tape and a hair dryer as back-up.
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