Alternatives to rim tape?

minimole
minimole Posts: 2,185
edited July 2007 in MTB general
Hi all,

I think I read in MBUK a while back that you can use that surgical tape (for holding bandages etc on) as a cheap version of rimtape, is that correct?

Any other cheap alternatives I might have round the house?


Cheers, Duane :)
http://minimole.pinkbike.com

eBay HeliTape
«1

Comments

  • ddoogie
    ddoogie Posts: 4,159
    I use black electrical tape on my wheels. I just do two laps of the wheel with it to make it a bit thicker.
    S-works Stumpjumper FSR

    I'll see you at the end.

    You'll see me on the floor.
  • lugsey2k5
    lugsey2k5 Posts: 960
    rim tape is £2 how much cheaper you want it
  • minimole
    minimole Posts: 2,185
    lugsey2k5 wrote:
    rim tape is £2 how much cheaper you want it

    About £2 cheaper :wink:

    Nah, main thing was I didnt want to have to go out to the LBS again.


    Ta though, is sorted now with electrical tape :)


    Duane.
    http://minimole.pinkbike.com

    eBay HeliTape
  • lugsey2k5
    lugsey2k5 Posts: 960
    ah ok well electrical tape all the way then
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    I aint using electrical tape on my rim :shock:
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Its what I use, does the job well! Prefer Velox cloth tape though...
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Rockhopper
    Rockhopper Posts: 503
    I've used black electrical tape for years with no problems - go twice round the wheel though and don't forget to make a hole for the valve!
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    I use electrical tape to save weight and glad i do. Works well as well.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    i have seen tubes explode with electrical tape.

    manly on V braked wheels as the heat allows the tape to stretch and the tubs press on the spoke heads.

    duct (gaffer) tape would be a better bet as it does not deform.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    I can't say i've had problems with years of using it to be honest Nick :wink:
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    many will not but i have a feeling that the three i saw were three race heads using once around the rim. twice arround is heavier than needed.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    Well yeah but for literally an extra gram or two I will continue to do a second or even third layer just to be sure. Still saves a chunk of weight without risk.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    andrew156 wrote:
    Well yeah but for literally an extra gram or two I will continue to do a second or even third layer just to be sure. Still saves a chunk of weight without risk.
    have you weighed some rim tape? and if you are running disc then there is no heat generated in that area other than as the air is moved about.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    I've weighed just about everything on my bikes :wink:
  • Seagull
    Seagull Posts: 2,814
    When desperate once I used PTFE tape as it was all I could find, lasted for a couple of years as well; plus its very heat and corrosion resistant :)

    I normally use electrical tape as I have loads of it and it was free. Works fine, never failed on me yet.
    my photos
    My full Suss
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    i know but i do belive..... let me get the scales out. when i dont know but watch this space.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Those spindly plastic strips that don't fit properly weigh nowt, but move around a lot when installing a tube and can uncover spoke heads. Some rim strips are awful.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    The standard rim tapes that Merlin or CRC used weigh about 35g each. 3 layers of electrical tape weighs about 3g.

    30g off an XC wheel is a fair bit!
  • Fab Foodie
    Fab Foodie Posts: 5,155
    25 years of electrical tape use here, road-bike wheels mostly (plus a few kids bikes)...no problems to date.
    The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
    Fab's TCR1
  • Seagull
    Seagull Posts: 2,814
    andrew156 wrote:
    The standard rim tapes that Merlin or CRC used weigh about 35g each. 3 layers of electrical tape weighs about 3g.

    30g off an XC wheel is a fair bit!

    3g is seriously light, and i'm sure the tape will weigh more than that. Anyway, weight for me is more an issue of the gut rather than of the rim tape.
    my photos
    My full Suss
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    Seagull wrote:
    andrew156 wrote:
    The standard rim tapes that Merlin or CRC used weigh about 35g each. 3 layers of electrical tape weighs about 3g.

    30g off an XC wheel is a fair bit!

    3g is seriously light, and i'm sure the tape will weigh more than that. Anyway, weight for me is more an issue of the gut rather than of the rim tape.

    The whole roll of electrical tape weighs about 45g i promise :wink:
  • Seagull
    Seagull Posts: 2,814
    I'll test it next week using the scales in our lab (even covered to remove the effect of draughts and accurate to <0.01g). Give me something to do whilst pretending to work.
    my photos
    My full Suss
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    If that makes you happy do that :P
  • Fab Foodie
    Fab Foodie Posts: 5,155
    Seagull wrote:
    andrew156 wrote:
    The standard rim tapes that Merlin or CRC used weigh about 35g each. 3 layers of electrical tape weighs about 3g.

    30g off an XC wheel is a fair bit!

    3g is seriously light, and i'm sure the tape will weigh more than that. Anyway, weight for me is more an issue of the gut rather than of the rim tape.

    You could try using the rim tape to hold your gut in maybe? :)
    The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
    Fab's TCR1
  • glasgowdan
    glasgowdan Posts: 155
    I don't know how serious this thread is, but if you count the grammes then go home and have a long hard think about your life...
    Crushing the symptoms
  • Fab Foodie
    Fab Foodie Posts: 5,155
    glasgowdan wrote:
    I don't know how serious this thread is, but if you count the grammes then go home and have a long hard think about your life...
    Yeah...but once you've done that...get back to the serious task of counting the grammes please :)
    The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
    Fab's TCR1
  • rob cole
    rob cole Posts: 706
    electrical tape is actually better than rim tape or rim strips for wider rims used on freeride and downhill bikes, I have done tubeless conversions on regular rims using a Stan's No-Tubes valve core and electrical tape, it seals that well !!
    check out my riding - www.robcole.co.uk Banshee Factory Team rider, Da Kine UK Team rider, www.freeborn.co.uk www.eshershore.com
  • ddoogie
    ddoogie Posts: 4,159
    glasgowdan wrote:
    I don't know how serious this thread is, but if you count the grammes then go home and have a long hard think about your life...

    That's jealousy right there!
    S-works Stumpjumper FSR

    I'll see you at the end.

    You'll see me on the floor.
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    glasgowdan wrote:
    I don't know how serious this thread is, but if you count the grammes then go home and have a long hard think about your life...

    You mean like my 18lbs Giant XTC?
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    glasgowdan wrote:
    I don't know how serious this thread is, but if you count the grammes then go home and have a long hard think about your life...

    You mean like my 18lbs Giant XTC?

Categories