Backupg

Hello bicycle enthusiasts! I've been replacing my inner tube tyre on my road bike for a bit now and I've noticed that for some reason this weird inner/on the rim rubber guard's designated hole for my valve stem hole is horribly out of place and it took a while for me to get the old tube out there (in fact the old tyre tube and it's valve were kind of just stretching this piece of rubber out all the way) Was just wondering what this is and if whether this tyre is worth using a brand new tyre tube on or whether the whole thing is just cactus and that I should get myself just a whole new tyre instead. Did I cause this or does this mean the bike tyre was just messed up to begin with??

Thank you!

(I've tried to add a picture of the issue here but the site won't let me, sorry!)

dsaul

You can just move the rubber rim strip to line up with the hole in the rim.

Jeff Neese

Like dsaul said, you should be able to just remove and reinstall the rubber rim strip. If the wheel is really old, the rubber may be brittle and/or stretched out, or maybe fused to the rim, and then you just replace it.

They still sell the rubber ones, but a better solution is to use adhesive rim tape. Velox is the preferred brand - it lasts nearly forever and stays in place. Be sure to order the correct width for your rims. Or just order rubber ones if that's easier for you.

soyabean

It's called rim tape.

Jeff Neese

Whichever you choose, rubber rim strips or adhesive rim tape like Velox, this is a VERY important thing. Don't skimp and don't neglect to replace it if needed. A lot of flat tires happen because people don't pay attention to this.

mpetry912 

Gorilla tape cut to width works well also. stretch it tight as you apply it.

/markp

Schweinhund

As much as I like Gorilla Tape, not a good use. The reason cloth tape or fibre banding is used is spokes tend to cut through anything else over time.
Gorilla tape is just duct tape on steroids. You could cheap out and use friction tape, but use two wraps not one.

Jeff Neese

If there are exposed spoke ends on the inside, they're going to penetrate any rim tape. They are not supposed to protrude at all from the nipple, and if they do, that needs to be addressed.

There's no reason Gorilla tape wouldn't work in a pinch. Some people swear by "hockey tape", a.k.a friction tape, and supposedly surgical tape works also. I don't know why anyone wouldn't just use Velox though, especially since it comes in various widths and even has the hole already punched.

Schweinhund

Pedantic much?
I am not talking about spokes protruding through a nipple as you well knew. Simply the spoke & nipple BOTH covered by a thin piece of plastic and a bit of fibre. Duct tape.
Rim tape is better.
Argue that.

Jeff Neese

If there are no spokes protruding through the nipple, then Gorilla tape (not to be confused with regular duct tape) works just fine. A lot of people use it. You do have to cut it to the proper width, so Velox is easier.

Schweinhund

I'm happy you've had a good experience with duct tape, in six months when you're getting mystery flats, look there first. Otherwise be a smart cookie and use Velox or 3M.

Jeff Neese

Nah. There are experienced mechanics that have been using Gorilla Tape for years. Personally I'd only use it in a pinch since I always keep several sizes of Velox on hand, but there are people that use Gorilla Tape as their first choice.

Schweinhund

Just because all the kids down the street all jump off the cliff into the river doesn't mean it's smart.
Any work I do will have the proper materials installed.
If you choose to install a kludge, don't justify it by saying all the other kids do too.