Electrical PVC Tape for Rim Strip?

dwclay99

Iv just got some new rims and want to make them tubeless cheaply previously i have used sliced inner tubes. I have been woundering whether PVC tape would work once layerd up many times to make it strong enough?

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

C

ricardo_smooth

try it and find out..... tbh for the cost of rim tape i wouldn't bother.

Chrissz

A triple layer has worked for me in the past with no blow-thru or problems. I used it recently as an emergency after forgetting to buy proper rim tape for a new set of wheels and then wondering why both tyres went flat within minutes of inflating them :oops:

However, I wouldn't recommend it as a long-term solution. Rim tape is as cheap, lighter and stronger.

nicklouse

for a tubeless system no way. you should see how much it moves with a tube in place.

Chrissz

:oops: Didn't read the tubeless bit - I wouldn't bother. Even a triple layer pushes into the spoke holes to a degree and that's with an inner tube in place - I would imagine that it would move even more with no inner tube!

02gf74

can't recall where Ia saw this discussed but insulation tape has been used successfuylly for tubeless conversion, 3 layers was mentioned too.,

insulation tape is quite soft = stretchy - what as suggested was using some reinfoced tape such as duck (duct?) tape.

this is all based on hearsay - wouldn't use it myself.

Northwind

Yup, someone on Singletrack swears by it. I've used good quality electric tape instead of proper Roval blue tape in my Traversees and it worked fine, might actually be just the same stuff But that's with a tubeless-ready rim.

Anonymous

I use electrical tape in my non-tubeless wheels, because I've never had a roll of "proper" rim tape that would actually stay in place.
I swear they use fairy tears for glue :roll:

The Rookie

yeehaamcgee wrote:

I swear they use fairy tears for glue :roll:

If its the tears of the PF it would also be crocadile tears perhaps?

Sorry.........

Simon

Arkady001

I've used triple-layered 'leccy-tape' in the past without any problems apart from it gets really sticky if you leave it on too long - the glue sort of 'seeps' a bit as the tape returns to it's original dimensions (it stretches a bit when applying) and can be a right bar-steward to clean off.

I now use 'proper' rim tape or self-amalgamating rubber tape (as used by plumbers).

02gf74

..... but why? why use an inferior product when a rim tape is maybe 2 or 2 quid and does the job far better, and is most likely lighter too?

onlyt reason owuld be in an emergency or when waiting for the rim tape to arrive mail order and you depserately want to go riding.

Northwind

02GF74 wrote:

..... but why? why use an inferior product when a rim tape is maybe 2 or 2 quid and does the job far better, and is most likely lighter too?

It's heavier and doesn't necesarily do it better.

02gf74

3 layers of insulation tape vs 1 platicky type rim tape? hmmmm, seems hard to beliueve but since I've not weighed either, I cannot agree or disagree.

does it better? I bet the platicky rim tape will not pushg out into the spoke holes like what the insulation tape does.

I cannot comment about the sealing since I have no experience of the no-tubes technique but can image that since the insulation tape has sticky stuff on one side, it will seal bettwe than rim tape.

i-tape is ofcourse many time cheaper so it does have that going for it .... I have a variety of this stuff in many collurs so may try it out,

anyways, as you were

Anonymous

The Beginner wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

I swear they use fairy tears for glue :roll:

If its the tears of the PF it would also be crocadile tears perhaps?

Sorry.........

Simon

What? I didn't get any of that

02GF74 wrote:

..... but why? why use an inferior product when a rim tape is maybe 2 or 2 quid and does the job far better, and is most likely lighter too?

Because, in my experience, PVC tape works better than rim tape. YMMV

Arkady001

02GF74 wrote:

..... but why? why use an inferior product when a rim tape is maybe 2 or 2 quid and does the job far better, and is most likely lighter too?

onlyt reason owuld be in an emergency or when waiting for the rim tape to arrive mail order and you depserately want to go riding.

Exactly...my experience was pre-internet, so no online retailers existed. Flatted a tyre on the saturday wanted to ride again on the sunday, noticed the rim-tape had rolled up along a 12" section and exposed all the spoke-nipples...
On the Monday i went and bought the correct stuff for the job...and then forgot to fit it, which is how I know it goes all gunky...

lawman

ive got a roll of fire proof electrical tape and a friend runs tubeless with stans rims with it no problems at all, it even held air in with no sealant in on a non-ust tyre

ride_whenever

I use duct tape as it is easier to colour coordinate with builds, although I still use a rim strip.

Wouldn't use it on it's own as I doubt you'd get the tyre to seal.