Rim tape

[ConnoisseurEquator]

Hi
I need to replace the rim tapes for my 26 1 3/8 wheels
Are the 26" ones ok for the job?
The 700 could be too narrow.
Thanks

 

[Cycleops]

If you want to get creative and save a few Bob use a length of old inner tube and cut it to shape .

 

[MichaelW2]

Velox is the one to use. The length you can cut to size. Width in 10mm 16mm 22mm.

 

[Blue Hills]

Rim tape often strikes me as vastly overpriced. As a meanie I continue my search for some wonder bulk supply of suitable material.
Most of my many wheels are similarly sized so a big roll would be handy.
(I have bulk supplies of many basics - gear cables, brake cables, V brake pads - form a queue for the boxes I will doubtless die with)
By the by, is there a simple rule of how the required rim tape width relates to the wheels internal width?
I quite often have problems with rim tape I have called into service interfering with the seating of the tyre.

 

[Ajax Bay]

26 x 1 3/8ths is the tyre size, or is it the rim (unusual)? Does it say on the rim what the size is: eg 559-19?
Pending answers, I'd use 20mm tape (and 26" designation) eg https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-road-rim-tape? 20mm 26"

 

[Landsurfer]

I use gaffer tape, 2 layers ..... available in silver or black ...
Used it since 1978 on all my bicycle and motorbike wheels wheels without a single issue .......

 

[Ajax Bay]

How do you get 2.13m consistently the right width (= or - 1mm)?

 

[Landsurfer]

How do you get 2.13m consistently the right width (= or - 1mm)?

Just don't be anal about it ...... all you have to do is fill the well, cover the tops of the spoke nipples, thats all ... .....

 

[raleighnut]

How do you get 2.13m consistently the right width (= or - 1mm)?

If by 'gaffer tape' he means Duct tape then it's construction means it's easy to tear along it's length to about 1mm increments.

 

[Blue Hills]

I use gaffer tape, 2 layers ..... available in silver or black ...
Used it since 1978 on all my bicycle and motorbike wheels wheels without a single issue .......

never had issues seating the tyres if you are using two layers?
must admit to being intrigued by cheapo solutions.
Way back when a hybrid of mine had rim tape that appeared to be that tough stuff used for strapping up boxes. it seemed to work just fine.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I just find that tearing duct tape (normally 50mm wide) to 18mm (say) for 2.2m is just a pain.
But I too am surprised that 20m rolls of rimtape are not easily available to the consumer (as opposed to bike shops).

cheapo solutions

This, maybe:

View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GAXA2W2

@Blue Hills

 

[Landsurfer]

The tape is torn off the roll at about 10 mm width ... for bicycles, it covers the nipple tops and moves up the sides of the rim well as the first tyre is inflated .... ... Like i've said, I've been doing it this way for well over 40 years and never had a spoke nipple / inner tube puncture on any of my bikes ..

 

[tyred]

Electrical insulation tape is what I use and never had a problem with it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

If you want to get creative and save a few Bob use a length of old inner tube and cut it to shape .

Surely that’ll stretch as much as the tube it’s trying to protect and a puncture via spoke end / hole will be the result?

 

[raleighnut]

The tape is torn off the roll at about 10 mm width ... for bicycles, it covers the nipple tops and moves up the sides of the rim well as the first tyre is inflated .... ... Like i've said, I've been doing it this way for well over 40 years and never had a spoke nipple / inner tube puncture on any of my bikes ..

i can see that being fine on single wall rims but modern 'box section' double wall rims with the nipples down a big hole not so much.