Lightweight wheel build. Rim tapes??

DanEvs
DanEvs Posts: 640
edited April 2010 in Workshop
I've just treated myself to some Dura Ace 7850 CL's and I'm trying to build them up as light as possible (sad I know).

Should I build them with proper rim tapes or would a wrap of insulation tape be sufficient? The Velox rim strips I've got lying around seem quite heavy/bulky. I'm using Conti supersonic tubes if that makes any difference.

I remember someone using individual stickers over the spoke holes or something like that. Who supplies those?

Comments

  • lukasran
    lukasran Posts: 53
    your a week late for april fools. make sure you take the stickers off the rims too. and invest in a padded thong, then get your race number tattooed into your flesh.
  • antikythera
    antikythera Posts: 326
    You may want to consider some Veloplugs.

    They're significantly lighter than rim tape and made for the job. Just be sure to get the right plugs (yellow or red) depending on the spoke hole diameter.

    They have the added benefit of making it easier to fit tight tyres
  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    antikythera wrote:
    You may want to consider some Veloplugs.

    They're significantly lighter than rim tape and made for the job. Just be sure to get the right plugs (yellow or red) depending on the spoke hole diameter.

    They have the added benefit of making it easier to fit tight tyres

    Excellent, just what I was after. :)
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Use Tufo tubular clinchers and you won't have to use rim strips at all. As an added bonus they are tubeless so you'll save weight there also. It's win / win.
  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    dennisn wrote:
    Use Tufo tubular clinchers and you won't have to use rim strips at all. As an added bonus they are tubeless so you'll save weight there also. It's win / win.

    A good idea but I went for the clinchers because they're to be my main training/racing wheels so need to be easy/cheapish to repair when I puncture. I know Tufo do the sealant but with the abundance of glass and mussel shells where I ride it'd only be a matter of time before I tore one. :evil:

    I've also found that Pro 3's feel just as fast as my Tufo tubs (TT bike) but seem to give me a bit more confidence in the tight bends of a crit race. :)

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