how to put rim tape on

[montage]

The rim tape is measured exactly to the diameter of the centre of the rim, so how the hell are you supposed to get it over the side walls of the rim seeing as it has no real elactisity?

 

[montage]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Bike_Ribbon_Rim_Tape/5360054154/ that is the stuff I have

 

[tyred]

I would still expect it to stretch enough. Try setting it on a radiator or in the oven for a few minutes as the heat sould make it stretch better.

Personally, I use electrical insulating tape so don't have this problem.

 

[montage]

much swearing later and it is on....wont be using that rim tape again!
I think it is definately worth making sure that when buying rim tape, it comes with some elasticity, or even the stuff on rolls. This felt like putting a 26inch tyre onto a 27 inch rim

 

[PpPete]

The Schwalbe stuff has (just) sufficient elasticity IME... or use the Velox cloth tape.

 

[accountantpete]

Put it partly on and then using your left thumb on the tape as a vice, stretch 10" of the tape,move the thumb up and repeat all the way around - it will go on very easily.

 

[style over speed]

much swearing later and it is on....wont be using that rim tape again!
I think it is definately worth making sure that when buying rim tape, it comes with some elasticity, or even the stuff on rolls. This felt like putting a 26inch tyre onto a 27 inch rim

if its the plastic stuff just put it in some hot water, just off the boil... and then it'll be soft enough to easily go on.

 

[fossyant]

Velox cloth tape.................ONLY

Anything else is inferior............. FACT !

 

[02GF74]

ooooh ... I just bought some of that stuff.

I expect it to be a ailry firm plastic tape but with some stretch - obvioulsy it cannot be too eleastic as it would be pushed into the hole by the air pressure in the inner tube.

The last bit is always a pain but putting a scredriver under the tape and then moving the tape over sorts it - likewise if you need to cetrnalise the tape, use a screwdriver under the tape and over the rim and go round the rim like that, repositioning the tape (harder to explain than do )

 

[PpPete]

Velox is easier... but never quite sticky enough IME.

 

[02GF74]

Velox is easier... but never quite sticky enough IME.

^^^ yeah I suppose ... but I've gone off velox since the last rolls I bought would not stick at all, maybe they are saving wieght by not using as much glue?