Ev0lutionz

My 2 year old tube just had a puncture suddenly. I swapped out to a newer tube and ran it almost 500km with no issues.. do I need a change of rim tape or?

FBOATSB

Sure looks like it to me, based on that pic. What's your rim tape? Post a pic of the same area on your rim?

delbiker1 

I think seeing the rim tape would tell more. From the picture posted, cannot tell for sure, but it could be. If in doubt, change the tape.

Ev0lutionz

I doubt I’ll be taking my wheel out today, but I do remember was that my rim tape easily moves about.. is it because it went through rain and stuff ?

my new inner tube which I’ve replaced seems to be doing fine so far ! Already went through 500km

FBOATSB

The bolded text is not good. You're relying on air pressure alone to hold it in place which is why that old school rubber rim tape as famous for squirming about, causing your tube to be pushed into spoke holes or abrading on sharp edges. An old man told once told me "Be your own judge". I'm sure the pros will chime in.

delbiker1 

You answered your own question, tape should not be sliding around.

Ev0lutionz

Another thing I do remember, I deflated my tyre and left it with minimal pressure for a couple of days before inflating it again, reckon that moved the rim tape about with low pressure ?

79pmooney

Do take that tire off and look before you ride it again. Postponing this means the odds are you'll see the issue again out on the road if it is rim strip related. (If you do need new rim tape, I strongly recommend the Velox cloth stuff in a width to just span the width of the spoke channel. The stuff isn't fancy but it simply works. (And can be pulled up and re-stuck repeatedly. You can replace a nipple out on the road 5-10 years from now, get home and ride that rim tape the next few years - no problem. I've re-rimmed wheels and re-used the tape.

If you cannot find the right width, you can buy a roll of wider and slice it with a very sharp knife. (I love old, classic kitchen knives and the new diamond whetstones. I believe every home should have at least one. But I was brought up on boy scouts, knives as tools ... I've had to leave pocket knives with courthouse security more than once because that knife was of course, in my pocket with my keys.)

FBOATSB

Yes. I would glue down what you have or better yet, replace with self adhesive tape of the proper width and thickness to support your tubes in luxurious comfort so they'll just get flatted from the road side. What kind of tape to use is just like a chain lube thread.

Iride01 

Did your tube puncture on the rim side, the road side or the sidewall side?

Regardless, if your rim tape is loose, it should be replaced. Don't just copy what you see though, it might have been wrong in the first place.

Are the two little dimples by your thumb what you are asking about in the pic? Yes those might be from the tube going down into a spoke hole. The two so close together makes me wonder whats up with that. Maybe your tube shifts position. Do you ride it sometimes with too low a air pressure?

Is that the puncture on the lower left side of the upper dimple?

zandoval 

I have been using this tape for some time now and it is working really well. It also comes in 20mm widths. It has also been proven for use on Mountain Bike rims that have been in mud. I run at least two layers over the nipples and on a Mountain Bike maybe four. It also removes easy for replacement and does not leave a mess like plastic black tape. I have found over the years that Rim Tape and Rim Strips do not last as long as my tubes.



You can inspect your Rim Tape or Strips by deflating your tire then squeezing laterally not only to ensure the tube is placed right but to also inspect the condition of the Tape/Strip. Of course you know this...