rim tape or rim strips

[dragnusa]

Im getting alot of bikes laying around with no strips on the rims, but before going and buying a bunch of strips I was wondering what people thats been fixing up bikes for awhile use, rim tape or rim rubber strips?

 

[bikejunky]

VELOX ROCKS!

 

[Slick Rick]

I use strips, but I get them real cheap as I buy in bulk. :wink:

 

[Buck Masterson]

Old tubes, or duct tape. Also lined the inside of a rim with truck bed liner once. Seemed to work well, but I no longer have it so can't say if it is still holding up.

 

[ED-PV]

+1 on the old tubes. I use old 20" tubes for the 24" rims. For the extra wide rims (3" - 4" wide) I split open a 20" tube, remove the valve stem and it works perfectly!

 

[Oak Tree]

Old tubes, or duct tape.

second that...

 

[Bendix]

you only need to spring for rim tape with double wall rims- otherwise rubber strips are cheap and work just fine.

of course there aren't a lot of double wall rims on rat bikes..... :wink:

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I normally use duct tape, electrical tape, or pull the rim strips from another bike I part out. Around here I can get complete bikes for $5-$10 so I buy them up just for tubes, rim strips, and tires. Then scrap what's left and get most of my money back. :mrgreen:

 

[dragnusa]

was thinking of ordering this or finding something like this at the hardware store in town.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rim-Tape-Spoke- ... 3cc203dec3

 

[Walker]

rim strips can shift around, then you get a flat when the spoke heads puncture the tube. Tape is best. Velox is nice but expensive!

 

[Willg]

I use electrical tape. Its the perfect width.

 

[Bigcam59]

Rim strips are fine on single wall rims, but if it's a double wall I'd use tape. On a double wall rim the tube can push past a regular rim strip into the spoke hole and then flat itself.

 

[deorman]

Definitely tape on tubular rims, it's better for cheap rims as well, it can't be accidentally shifted during installation. Strips can be moved from 1 wheel to another, but someday they'll fail, probably on the trail. :x

 

[clamdigger]

Scotch brand strapping tape, filament reinforced for shipping or bundling . Wrap the rim then poke a hole through for the valve stem. Sometimes on old single wall rims the head of an old spoke nipple will wear thru rubber rim tape, or if truing an an old assembled wheel a spoke can stick up through the top of the spoke nipple and go through rubber rim tape.

 

[largek9]

I have one roll of duct tape I started the tear at about an inch or so and just keeps on rollin,It doesnt hurt to use a little even with rim strip to hold the strip.

 

[abe lugo]

I used gaffers tape, seems to work for me.

 

[Bendix]

contrary to popular belief, cloth rim tape (velox, zefal, etc) can and does indeed shift around.

while 99% of flats are simply from road hazards, i personally repair more 'inside' flats due to old cloth tape issues than band failures.

i've reused plenty of 50 year old schwinn rim bands, but seldom a rotting cloth raleigh strip, or the oem cloth on all those 80's and 90's treks... :wink:

on single wall rims rubber strips are perfectly reliable, convenient, and so inexpensive i just can't see the point in going to any extra expenditure of time, money, or effort searching for or manufacturing a substitute. :?

 

[1959firearrow]

This may be ghetto as all get out but I use plain old blue masking tape or electrical tape if have it. I have yet to have any problems.

 

[MplsCoaster]

on single wall rims rubber strips are perfectly reliable, convenient, and so inexpensive

+1!

 

[chimichanga]

Rim strips or electrical tape work for me