Gorilla tape and tubeless
01-11-19, 09:24 PM
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Gorilla tape and tubeless
I’m extremely new to tubeless. I have tubeless tires and wheels in my trek Boone. The rear tire needed replaced so I got a new tire. The yellow rim tape looked pretty beat up so I tore that off.
Used gorilla tape. 1 layer. Initially I thought it was the valve. But I’ve tried multiple types and configurations. But the same steady leak coming from the weep hole and valve stem hole.
My my question is, can gorilla tape porforations hold higher pressures like 50+ psi without leaking. Or does gorilla tape only work for ghetto tubeless using an inner tube?
Because after trying everything I feel like it has to be gorilla tape. Air leaking through the perfs over the spoke holes into the center channel.
Used gorilla tape. 1 layer. Initially I thought it was the valve. But I’ve tried multiple types and configurations. But the same steady leak coming from the weep hole and valve stem hole.
My my question is, can gorilla tape porforations hold higher pressures like 50+ psi without leaking. Or does gorilla tape only work for ghetto tubeless using an inner tube?
Because after trying everything I feel like it has to be gorilla tape. Air leaking through the perfs over the spoke holes into the center channel.
01-12-19, 01:17 PM
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What sealant are you using?
You say you only used one layer? How wide a rim? Have you tried two layers. The problem with gorilla taping a rim once....is that it is a bastard to clean off and try again if it doesn't seal.
You say you only used one layer? How wide a rim? Have you tried two layers. The problem with gorilla taping a rim once....is that it is a bastard to clean off and try again if it doesn't seal.
01-12-19, 04:49 PM
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I can almost guarantee that its leaking at the base of the valve stem. Those stems need to be very tight. I press on bottom of the stem with my thumb until it hurts my thumb and tighten the nut with my other hand. Then I wiggle the stem a bit and try to tighten it again.
01-12-19, 05:23 PM
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01-13-19, 08:52 AM
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I've been running road tubeless for about 10 years and I wouldn't do Gorilla Tape for anything over 40-45psi. Honestly, the yellow tape that was on there (probably Stans), may have looked bad, but unless there were holes in it, it was probably fine. The only problem I've ever run into with proper tubeless tape is at higher pressures, some tape get dimples where the spoke holes are, which makes installing new tires a problem getting the bead to seat up on the rim. What I've started doing is wrap one layer, cut it, then wrap a second layer. When I change tires, I only have to replace the top layer of rim tape. That being said, some rim tapes, such as HED, holds up really well and that's not necessary.
01-13-19, 12:19 PM
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Gorilla tape is permeable and absorbs the sealant. Use the regular tubeless tape or tesi tape if you're on a budget
01-13-19, 05:51 PM
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Thanks for the responses. I did a little test and it looks like gorilla is pretty permeable at higher pressures.
I think with sealant and low pressure it will work. But since I’m doing more of a gravel setup at around 60-70 psi I think I’ll do real rim tape.
I ordered some 19mm dt Swiss tape.
I think with sealant and low pressure it will work. But since I’m doing more of a gravel setup at around 60-70 psi I think I’ll do real rim tape.
I ordered some 19mm dt Swiss tape.
01-13-19, 05:52 PM
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i didn’t try two but I think that would have worked better if I did.
01-16-19, 02:27 PM
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Be careful using pliers on valve nuts.
I've seen the inside of rims crack around the valve hole due to overtightened nuts.
-Tim-
I've seen the inside of rims crack around the valve hole due to overtightened nuts.
-Tim-
01-17-19, 10:52 AM
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I got it sorted out. Took off the gorilla tape and cleaned the wheel. Put on the DT Swiss tape with DT swiss valve. Held 60psi overnight with no issues.
