hotbike

Had bad rim tape, replaced with “tubeless” rim tape, gave it two layers for peace of mind.
Says 11m length on the roll, so this is cheaper than Velox cloth.


TCS Rim Tape 24mm wide by 11m long


Anyone else using this stuff (with tubes) ?

smd4

Nope. I only use Velox. One layer only. Cheaper and lighter…

masi61

Yes. More internal volume and easier tire mounting.

zandoval 

Thanks for the heads up. Good to get a post on a product find that for some is proven... Thanks

cxwrench

Nope. Tubeless tape is by far the best way to go. I haven't used Velox in years. TL tape is thinner IMO is lighter not that it matters. I think Velox should just give up and go out of business...or start making TL tape.

smd4

Next you’ll be telling me there’s something better than toe straps and downtube shifters.

squirtdad

complete agreement for tubes, velox is gold standard

3alarmer 

.
...I don't know what that stuff is, but it would need to be pretty good and pretty cheap to beat standard rolls of kapton tape.

rccardr 

Stan’s, Kapton (Capton, whatever, spelling on this stuff is all over the place) far superior to 99% of rim tape alternatives for clincher tubes.
I’d still still use Velox for pesky applications like single wall rims (I’m talking to you, Wolber Concave) but that’s about it.
And you can mount tires much more easily with thin rim tape. Physics.

nomadmax 

Scotch 8898, a little over 4 bucks a roll, I use two wraps for tubed tires. I'm as traditional as they get when it comes to road bikes; these days, Velox tape is a sorry excuse for what it used to be. It slips and exposes spoke holes in no time. Not to mention that it takes up a lot of room and makes tire mounting a b*tch.

3M Scotch 8898 Filament Strapping Tape 42300, 18 mm x 55 m, Blue | RSHughes.com

smd4

That's way too wide for what I need. Velox does just fine, and doesn't seem any different than when I was using it in 1989. Sticks just fine, and is reusable. Tire mounting has never been a problem for me no matter what tape I use.

nomadmax 

It all depends on the tires and rims whether or not mounting a tire will be problematic. I use modern rims on most of my fleet that are tubeless ready, that single thing seems to make mounting a tire without a bead jack near impossible. As far as width, you gotta think outside the box. On my period correct bikes with narrower rims, I apply the tape and then use a razor knife to trim it to the correct width. As it is with collecting bicycles, "too much" is better than "not enough".

smd4

I enjoy working on my bike. I actually like doing routine maintenance and cleaning. But I don't need to do extra work, and with this issue, there is absolutely no need for me to "think outside the box." The Velox works fine, I can get it in the correct width, and for me, $4 or $5 bucks a roll is cheap (I once again find it amusing that people are cheaping-out on a $10 dollar item for their $10,000 bike). No need (for me) to fix something that isn't broken. If other people want to use packing tape, or several layers of Scotch tape, or painter's tape, or whatever, great!

50voltphantom

Tubeless tape is better. Period. I used Velox for years, but tubeless tape stays in place, won't absorb water, lighter, better in every way.

andrewclaus

I'm a confirmed retrogrouch. I used Velox for more decades than I care to admit. But I agree, after over a year's trial on two bikes in the family, that two wraps of tubeless tape is working very well on our high pressure road clinchers. And my wife can mount her tires more easily.

Crankycrank

Can the Stans tape be re-used or is it a one-time application deal? I checked their website, and it didn't say.

himespau 

That's my standard as well. If I ever try going to tubeless, I might switch, but the Kapton is so cheap and easy. Double wrapping with it is thinner than Velox and cheaper too. Hell, it's cheap enough that I might grab that to tape the cables down to my bars tonight before wrapping them instead of trying to figure out where I put my electrical tape.

ofajen

Interesting. Kapton tape does come in 5/8” width which is approximately the 16mm width of Velox tape that I’ve used on my old road rims. Probably worth trying. I have quite a challenge mounting Continental tires on these old Ambrosio Elite rims, so thinner rim tape might help out.

Otto

zandoval 

You Got It... Ha

hotbike

I just googled it and learned what I suspected.
They say wrap two layers of tubeless rim tape if you’re going over 45 psi.
which is what I expected, so I’m glad I used two layers.

smd4

How many layers do I need if I go 95 psi over 45 psi?

cpach

I like velox fine for non-tubeless-profile rims because it's frankly easier to apply. Also works great on single walled rims.

Legit tubeless tape on all rims that are tubeless compatible, tube or not. The tight bead seat tolerance will make tire mounting torturous without it.

Camilo

I use Velo Plugs whenever I can, but generally just go with what happens to be on the wheel when I get it. Velox is OK too.