Amazon has been in the news a lot lately for how they are having to deal with counterfeit goods. I had an issue with several fake KMC X10 chains, and like you, Amazon made good and refunded me, but still because of their business model it's buyer beware.

I'm transitioning from glue to tape. Somewhere.....I read that I should leave a gap in the tape, 180 degrees from the valve stem, to simplify removal of a flat tire. Are any of you tape users doing this? For those that are, how much of a gap are you leaving?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Dean

I use Effetto Mariposa tape and don't leave a gap. I've not had any issues removing the tire when I needed to.

Under Pressure
 

I too am a convert to lower tire pressure because I appreciate the apparent increased ride comfort. What I don't like is when you get out of the saddle up a hill to put down more power and see the front tire. It seems to be deforming left then right with each stroke of the pedals. I know It's because I've got too much weight on just one tire but it's still unsettling. So I'm starting to inch that pressure back up. Tubulars are such a superior ride to clinchers no matter the pressure.

I just taped some Vittoria Rubino 28mm with Jantex tape, left 2 spokes untaped,
Haven't had to remove any yet though.

Same here. I've never had a problem removing a taped on tire by hand.

ok you guys got me, I was wavering on tape or glue but will try tape on the tires I am about to mount.....FMB cobblstone 29mm

I used tufo tape with tufo tires on my first tubular setup and it really messed up the tires when taking them off

I used Tufo tape on 2 sets of tyres, I've now switched to Jantex and I think it's easier to use but haven't tried removing it yet.

I did managed to peel the tufo tape off some Vittoria Rubino 28mm and replace in with Jantex.

Don’t forget tape costs more than glue
 

A quick online check on prices shows Effetto Mariposa tape at $13-17 per tire versus Continental glue at $3 per tire (recent purchase from my LBS) based on half the cost of tube of under $6, which will do more than two tubes.

Also not sure in the case of a flat if you have to clean off the old tape and spend money again on another roll when you remount a new tire after a flat? With tape you just refresh the existing glue base on the rim and add a layer to a brand new tire if needed.

I buy the shop roll that is 16m. Still more expensive but closer to $8 per tire.

I see jantex tape from merlin at lower prices and in their case a roll will do two wheels. Probably all over the map…

I don't mind it when a member points out the difference in costs between different approaches in bike maintenance, but it doesn't need to be a criticism. Such decisions are choices.

Yes, there is a difference in cost between tape-mounting and glue mounting a tubular tire. However, I chose the more expensive route for my own personal reasons, which include:

1. Quick installation (about two minutes to mount tape to rim and another five minutes or less to mount tire)
2. Neat installation (no residual glue on rim, tire, hands, etc.)
3. Near perfect tire alignment (well, nothing is ever "perfect," but it is easy to center the tire on the rim, check for any humps, slanting valve stems, etc.)
4. It is easy and not messy to remove the tire before pulling out the tape backing strip (just in case the tire needs to be removed, i.e. you realize the labels are on different sides, etc.)

To me, the extra $5-10 per tire is worth the expense (especially when compared to the cost of quality tubular tires).

Can't argue with 1 and 4.
2. I have done well to not have residual glue on the rim or tire. Gloved hands take care of the rest.
3 Not a problem for me when following the time part of the instructions for Mastic. Can;t say I have had issues with humps, slanting valve stems or etc.

That being said to each there own. I love options and individuality.

Well. if you read my posts in this thread I don’t think you will find me being critical of anyone’s method.

It is always a personal choice in finding the best way for you.

i reread my recent post and did not feel I hid any criticism.

It was a don’t forget…no criticism intended.

None taken and I was really thinking more about this post earlier in the thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/22998341-post3020.html

I am planning on doing the same. I'm going to try the Effetto Mariposa tape as recommended by Pastor Bob, and leave two spokes uncovered, as suggested by Aardwolf. The Continental glue is so tenacious that I was struggling to center the tires.

I'm 170 lbs and my R4's are 25mm, so what you are doing sounds similar to my approach. If I was riding in conditions like Belgian Waffle, Eroica Cal or even Dairyland Dare (three roads have gravel), I'd be approaching things completely differently.

TAPE...**********??? Big mistake. Only use MastikOne, period!!!!

I’ll never use tape but some folks like it. Leave ‘em be.

Wow, I now see the light! With such a compelling argument I now feel like such a fool for using tape. When I get home I will throw out my shop roll of tape, remove the 8 sets of tubulars that are taped on, and then put the tubulars back on with MastikOne. Hopefully I'll never make a mistake like using tape again. I feel so foolish.

I had similar thoughts, but held back in fear that I might start a war similar to the recent chain waxing thread. If we get into a battle, perhaps you'll share the blame with me!!

Regarding my original question, I've decided to not leave a gap in the tape other than at the valve hole, just like I've done on my other taped on tubulars.

Dean

I've now taped two bikes worth of wheels with the Jantex. No gap. Haven't taken one off yet, I do carry a steel tire iron. Don't have very strong hands. We will see.

Tape versus glue is a personal choice. Both seem to work perfectly.

Some people hate gluing due to getting it on side walls or arm hair. Personally, I liked gluing. The problem is I'd glue one, maybe two sets in a year. I'd faithfully ensure the can lid was on tight and I'd store it upside down and yet the next time I reached for the glue it was just that little bit too hard to use. I'd add a little solvent to try to dilute (can't recall what I use, but I followed what was recommended on this thread). Problem was, either the solvent didn't work or I didn't trust it after dilution. I switched to buying only single use tubes. Then I had to remember to order the tubes when I ordered something else to avoid extra shipping charges.

I saw that Tufo tape would only tape a single wheel so with Tufo, tape was definitely way more money per wheel than glue.

This summer, I saw a sale in the UK and bought Jantex tape for $5.85 Canadian a roll as I'd heard Jantex covered two wheels. I bought 5 rolls (+ a single roll of Tufo as I had a roll that was given to me). My order was shipped to me for about $65 Canadian. Keep in mind that if I can find Matsik here it's about $40 Canadian a can (plus $20 shipping) so I'd see glue and tape at close to parity but, presumably with tape, there'd be no wastage.

I put the wheels on my Hozan truing stand and put the tape on. I removed the new tires from the spare rims where they were stretching and installed on the wheels. Including fussing to make sure the tire were on a straight as possible, total time was under 15 minutes. I didn't have to glue tire and rim, wait, re-glue, etc.

I haven't had to remove a tire yet, I don't know how hard or easy that will be, or how easy or hard rim clean up will be.

I still have 3-4 tubes of glue. I expect that I will glue again in the future, if I ever have to set up a bunch of tubulars at once. Having said that, I have 4 rolls of Jantex and two rolls of Tufo sitting a drawer and next summer I'm sure I will open that drawer and the tape will be ready to go, whereas a partially used can of glue might be useable, but then it might not.

I think I hit the same offer:Just checked the link and price hasn't changed :)
One roll does 2 rims.

https://www.merlincycles.com/velox-j...ape-81504.html

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1e371e8e01.jpg

I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in "Where did you ride today." Got the Stan's shower a little over half way through a 63km jaunt yesterday.