kaiserschmarrn

I need to get some rim tape. I have never used it before having used rim strips. I looked up some videos on YouTube, so I have an idea of how installation goes. I am installing 700 x 23 tires on rims marjed "Mavic Open 4 CD". What size rim tape should be used?

Danny

MudPie

The width of the rim tape is based on the rim construction and not the tire size. You’ll have to measure the width inside the rim where the tape sits. If the tape is too wide, it will interfere with the tire bead to rim interface. If the tape is too narrow, it may not cover the spoke holes.

Bill Kapaun

Tire size doesn't matter. Rim size does.
Measure the "bed" width of the rim.
You can go 1mm wider if you keep it STRAIGHT down the center.

Bill Kapaun

Time you bought a cheap (not too cheap) caliper.

shelbyfv

I think 17mm tape is what you need for those rims. There is narrower tape that will cover the spoke holes initially but can shift during use. The white cloth Velox will work well with those old school rims. I like a light color tape, makes it easier to see if the tube is where it should be.

kaiserschmarrn

I have a Dial Caliper.

Danny

veganbikes

Velox or Newbaums would work. I have been using the Continental Easy Tape rim strips for years with zero issues on a wide (and narrow) variety of rims.

MudPie

I believe I have a set of Open 4CDs from the early 90s in my garage. I’ll look later tonight and measure.

mprince

16mm Velox tape works perfectly on my Open Pros.

dsbrantjr

I am also a fan of Continental tape.

alcjphil

Then measure, don't guess

kaiserschmarrn

Isn't it a curved surface? Maybe I am wrong and have to look at the wheel again.

Danny

MudPie

I measured my Open 4CDs and the width seems to under 15mm. I noticed my old rim tape is marked “16-622” so I assume the tape is 16mm wide by 622mm (700C) rim. You might be able to see the tape curving along the sidewalls slightly.

alcjphil

The distance between the inner rim walls has nothing to do with curvature. It is a straight line

alcjphil

The width you are measuring is the width between the bead hooks. The rim walls are farther apart

MudPie

Very true, the inside bead to inside bead is like 13mm. I just wanted to give a visual estimate at about 15mm. My 16mm strips are curling a bit at the edges, so the estimated 15 mm is about right.

Bill Kapaun

Kind of like post #3 ?
I built a set of Sun Rims M13II's, where the inside width is listed at 13.5mm.
I tried 10mm tape. First flat I dislodged it slightly and then had repeat problems with the tape migrating toward a spoke hole and the tube starting to leak.
I replaced w/16mm. It ran slightly into the start of the bead curve about .5mm. I can still mount the tire OK although I may have to go around pinching an extra time or 2. Several flats & no dislodging.
I "think" my front still has the 10mm? Once bitten, you get a bit more careful with the tire lever.

kaiserschmarrn

Not on my rims. My rims are curved between the inner walls and a point to point measurement would not be accurate.

Danny

biker222

I been using 16mm cloth tape on my Open Pro rims for years with no problem.
This link states tape size for rim - https://www.benscycle.com/mavic-open...ro_301/product

kaiserschmarrn

Thanks,
I got a lot of good help. I had to order on Saturday or Sunday (I can't remember which day). On that day, I could not access the forums to see the help, so I had to go it alone. I put some tape in my rim, then pushed it down flat, then marked the sidewalls on the tape, pulled it out and measured it with my dial caliper. I got .695" to .705", measured when the tape was flat. That is 17.70 mm to 17.90 mm. I used my dial caliper set at those dimensions and used it like a woodworking marking gage and cut some samples at those dimensions and tested them. They all fit pretty exactly covering 100% of the rim side to side without running up the bead area, so I called it 17mm, then cut another sample right at 17mm to see how I liked the fit. It was great, so I ordered some 17mm Newbaum's from Performance Bicycle. I think that 16 through 18 would have worked well enough too, under some of the fit guidelines mentioned, particularly if you got 18mm and had to carefully center it with a slight bit encroaching on the bead area. We will see how 17mm does for me.

Thanks,

Danny

shelbyfv

Yep, you did good

Drew Eckhardt 

Two wraps of 16mm (5/8") wide 1 mil Kapton tape. Easiest tire installation, lowest cost, and least weight.

drlogik 

It's been my experience that inside rim dimensions can vary from brand to brand even if the rims are the same size. It's best to measure the inside spoke well and match to the necessary rim tape. An easy way I found to do this is cut an approximate strip from a paper index card and keep cutting more off until you get it to fit snug on the bottom of the spoke well. Then measure the strip of paper and match to nearest tape size. A lot of folks like the modern rim tape/straps but I still use good old Velox.

kaiserschmarrn

I was wanting Velox, because I like their cloth bar tape. I did not have a lot of time when getting this tape. I came upon Newbaum's first in the correct size, so I ran with it. What is an example of modern rim tape?

Danny

drlogik 

Newbaum's is good bar tape. Didn't know they made rim tape. If you're using their bar tape for rim tape, let me know how that works out.

Oh, any of the tapes that came after Velox! lol Have at it:
https://www.jensonusa.com/search?q=rim+tape