You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / Stans Rim tape width
Stans Rim tape width
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi Guys
I have a set of bead hookless carbon TLR rims I'm looking to build up into some race wheels. I'm just wondering what width tape is recommended for an internal width of 22mm? By the time the channel is taken into account, the perfect fit tape width between goes up to 23mm, but the tape is only available in 21mm and 25mm widths.
Thanks for your advice 
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Gorilla tape is your friend. Get it off ebay or apparently Masters stock it. Easy to cut to width by laying on it's side and packing up a Stanley knife to appropriate height. Rotate tape while pushing blade to make a progressively deeper cut. Seems to seal up better if you leave it overnight or a day or 2 before getting to the sealant step.
Bought some in 1 inch width from ebay to reseal my Roval wheels.
Took a couple of days before the tyre stopped losing pressure. No dramas now though.
Next time I'll stick a tube in for a day or so before adding sealant.
http://orangesealed.com/shop/ornagesealrimtape18mm
My Spinergy Rims (26)are listed as 23mm (external I assume) and I just ordered the "normal" stans strips in a kit, I would recon these are the 25mm, I can't measure now as they are about 2 yrs old and have been squished and spread a bit. When putting them on yesterday I noticed they now bunch up slighty in the channel, but still seal up fine. So slightly wide might be better than slightly narrow.
Alternatively, if your on 29er, then the stans site says that the 26inch standard strips suit some narrow 29inch rims, I guess they stretch and narrow.
Nitto Electrical tape
http://www.bunnings.com.au/nitto-18mm-20m-black-...
Once around in the channel, once around aligned to the left lip, once around aligned to the right lip. Tubeless valve, tyre, sealant, inflate, go ride. Simple.
One tip is not to stretch the tape as it will try and retract over time.
Many new/better rims have a 'bead lock' channel where the bead will pop into once inflated.
Depending on what tires you use, the addition of rim tape into these channels can make seating and un-seating nearly impossible. Using gorilla tape on the enve's I had to cut two tires off once. The fit was so tight already.
Using thin tape in the centre channel only will make changing tires much easier, and believe it or not, usually seals better too.
Works well as it's softer and more compliant than Stans.
BUT! Over time the sealant will break down the tape adhesive - meaning the tape will come loose and eventually start to leak more than the sealant can handle making the whole setup very unreliable.
I reckon you get about 4 or 5 months before this happens, so if you want to go this easy, and cheap, method just be prepared to replace it regularly.
Otherwise Stans is much easier to apply if you heat the rim first (heat gun/hairdryer) then heat the tape again after applying it and run your finger or rag around to help it form the shape of the rim.
Also agree with MrMez on thinner tape being better, you really only have to cover the spoke holes.
I tried electrical tape on Flow EX's and couldn't get it to work as the tyre I was using picked up the edge of the tape. I used Elastoplast once, worked well but left a hell of a mess!
I have some super thing Nitto masking tape that I'll try after the next puncture.