rpenmanparker 

I had a small wheel issue that required me to remove my tubular tire (Corsa CX, 25 mm) which was affixed with Tufo tape. The force required to remove the tire was very high, but not so bad that it couldn't be done on the side of the road if necessary. I have no concerns that the tire wasn't adequately glued on.

There was no damage to the tape on the underside of the tire. The tape was quite sticky from some transfer of glue from the Tufo tape. The tire was in perfect condition for reinstallation.

There was both clear plastic tape residue and glue residue on the rim surface. I was able to easily remove the tape residue in a couple of attempts. The glue residue was very clean and very thin, so I just left it in place.

I have reinstalled the tire with fresh Tufo tape. Despite the stickiness of the tire tape, the tire was easy to center over the pink release outer tape over the Tufo. Also the release tape pulled right out from under the tire just as it had when the tire was brand new.

I am going out for a ride on the repaired wheel now. IMO Tufo tape is the only way to mount tubulars. This was so easy, it is hard to believe. I was pleased with the initial installation, but I admit I was somewhat concerned about tire changes and future installations. Dead easy.

datlas 

But isn't tubeless better??

Erzulis Boat

I need to try that stuff. Thanks.

K.Katso

Lucky you. I'm a fan of Tufo tape, but only for Tufo tires. My luck with Vittorias has been less than good. The last time I removed one, the Tufo tape took some of the tire with it. So I went back to the glue for those tires. I'm not too bothered by it. I will admit though, for a complete system it does work like a charm. Especially when used with the sealant.

JohnDThompson 

In my experience, the regular Tufo tape doesn't work well with non-Tufo tires -- you get the kind of mess you describe. If you haven't tried the "Extreme" version of Tufo tape, my experience is that it is much easier to deal with on non-Tufo tires. Sounds counter-intuitive, but that's my experience.

woodcraft

I bought a used set of Vittoria CX tires recently.

They had been ridden with Tufo tape, & then removed.

You can hardly tell that they had been mounted at all- very clean.

Doesn't inspire confidence for CX use, however...

Bunyanderman

The tape is very nice for install/removal, except the high price turns me away. Seems to be at least $20 to mount both wheels, as compared to $2 glue.

sced

+1

rpenmanparker 

No doubt, there is a significant difference there that doesn't favor the Tufo tape.

rpenmanparker 

I'm not sure what you mean about CX. Removal of the tire that I wrote about above seems just as difficult as on any glued rim that I can remember. Just a subjective judgement, of course, but that would be my guess.

woodcraft

CX= cyclocross.

The ~32mm tires don't fit the rim profile so well,

and are more prone to rolling due to size & demands of the race,

so the glue job is more critical than with road tires.

rpenmanparker 

I know what CX is. I meant I didn't follow what you thought the problem might be. If the adhesion is as good, it is as good. If not, then not. You are making an assumption that it is inferior just based on intuition. Listen, I can't say the opposite, that the Tufo tape method is without a doubt just as good or better than glue, and I wouldn't advise you regarding CX. All I can say is that it seems as good to me. One thing for sure, there is much less likelihood for user variation or error in the tire installation. You will get the same "glue job" every time with the tape. Not so with glue.

Actually testing for adhesion is very straightforward in a materials science laboratory. I don't know the facts, but I find it hard to believe that Tufo hasn't demonstrated at least equivalence to glue in rigorous testing. I mean that would be the baseline goal for their development process.