I have heard pretty mixed opinions on whether or not I need tubeless rim tape for setting my tires up tubeless or could I just use duct tape or something? Thanks!
Duct or gorrilla works fine, and is dependable, especially on old 26 rims not designed to go tubeless. Valves cut from old blown tubes work just fine also. BUT... Stans tape, stans sealant, quality valves with removeable cores, high end tires, and high end wheel build are very high on the list for my builds. Breaking down and rebuilding an old 26 wheel with no cartridge bearings in the desert dust and sticky nasty duct tape to seal come just behind cheap tires tearing sidewalls or even barfing sealant on big hits 12 miles back as all time least favorite bike maintenance moments....
Oh also, if it wont blow onto the rim and pop that bead in place, another layer of tape will make those beads tighten up and hold enough air to blow onto the rim and seat. But who needs janky rigged hassle? Good quality rim, valves, tape, tire, sealant will pay off in spades.
Duct or gorrilla works fine, and is dependable, especially on old 26 rims not designed to go tubeless. Valves cut from old blown tubes work just fine also. BUT... Stans tape, stans sealant, quality valves with removeable cores, high end tires, and high end wheel build are very high on the list for my builds. Breaking down and rebuilding an old 26 wheel with no cartridge bearings in the desert dust and sticky nasty duct tape to seal come just behind cheap tires tearing sidewalls or even barfing sealant on big hits 12 miles back as all time least favorite bike maintenance moments....
Thanks! I think I will get stans tape, sealant and valves and do it the right way
Good choice. Although other tape will seal, they will also break down and become icky and fall apart sooner. The stans tape will last about as long as the rim itself. There is nothing worse than having your sealant system fail on the trailside.
Duct or gorrilla works fine, and is dependable, especially on old 26 rims not designed to go tubeless. Valves cut from old blown tubes work just fine also. BUT... Stans tape, stans sealant, quality valves with removeable cores, high end tires, and high end wheel build are very high on the list for my builds. Breaking down and rebuilding an old 26 wheel with no cartridge bearings in the desert dust and sticky nasty duct tape to seal come just behind cheap tires tearing sidewalls or even barfing sealant on big hits 12 miles back as all time least favorite bike maintenance moments....
Thanks! I think I will get stans tape, sealant and valves and do it the right way
Good choice, do it properly - there is nothing worse than tinkering with bad tubeless setup, putting tyre on/off, sealant in/out, pumping. You will appreicate good setup first time you walk home because of bad setup :-)
I've been using gorilla tape for quite some time now too. I don't think it's messy changing tape. I use heat gun during removal, which seems to keep the adhesive attached to the tape as opposed to sticking to the rim.
I've been using gorilla tape for quite some time now too. I don't think it's messy changing tape. I use heat gun during removal, which seems to keep the adhesive attached to the tape as opposed to sticking to the rim.