Forum: bicycles.stackexchange.com
Tags: <tire><wheels><rim-tape>
Title: How do I know which size and type of rim strip to buy?
Question: I have a Gary Fisher mountain bike. I was changing the tube in my rear tire. The rim strip (rubber lining around the wheel to protect the tube from the spokes) had moved a bit so I went to adjust it and it broke at the hole made for the valve. I've never shopped for this part before. How do I know what size to buy? Are there different types? My tube size is 26 inches.

Answers:
sents: text: There are a couple of types of rim tape available: Cloth -
text: This has a glue backing and is very long lasting.
text: If you need to replace a spoke nipple, depending on the age of the tape, you will most probably have to also replace the tape since it will no longer stick to the rim.
text: Rubber
text: - This is continuous loop of rubber (stretchy) and the stretch is what holds the tape in place.
text: As it ages there is a tendency for the area around the valve stem hole to break.
text: The rubber can also perish or become brittle with age.
text: Plastic - This is a slightly stretchy plastic in a continuous loop that can be slipped over the outer rim.
text: I found that the tapes have issues as they age with cracking, particularly when you are using high pressure tyres.
text: You can get little splits in the tape just above the holes of the rim.
text: My personal favourite is the cloth tape, over time they have been the most dependable.
text: It is very important to get the right width of rim tape.
text: If the tape is too narrow you can get the tube being pinched into the rim hole, or cut by the hole.
text: If the tape is too wide then you can get the tyre being lifted of the rim when at high pressure (not instantaneous and leads to a huge bang).
text: I know you can get both the cloth and rubber tapes in various widths for the various wheel sizes, so shop around to get the right one for your wheels.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/106/Anthony K
score: 11
sents: text: I just use electrical tape.
text: Been doing it for years
text: and it's never let me down.
text: Replacing a spoke means you have to replace the tape
text: but I've broke 2 spokes in 10 years.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/30/curtismchale
score: 6
sents: text: Rubber rim strip is pretty stretchy stuff--and you want it to fit snugly!
text: Therefore, if buying rubber the diameter of your rim strip is not nearly as important as the width .
text: It should cover all the spoke nipples and/or the large holes drilled for the spokes, and fit well along the rim.
text: That said, your local shop should have some in a size that fits 26" rims best.
text: Alternatively, there are brands of rim strip which are not one continuous piece and are not rubber, but instead are similar to thick tape.
text: It's important to note the thickness--electrical tape may work in a pinch (and after a couple layers) but it's not nearly as resilient.
text: This type of rim strip is basically one-size-fits all and is generally considered higher quality that the rubber type.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/23/Dustin Ingram
score: 3
sents: text: For getting the size correct, I stick coins into the rim until I get a combination that barely fits in the slot of the rim.
text: Then measure the that stack.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/8200/Jim Titus
score: 3
sents: text: This image is the current recommendation.
text: Rim ID width
text: +2mm (to allow for shape)Stick on variety.
text: I use 2 laps of masking tape.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/46674/DDDD
score: 1
sents: text: It depends more on the make/model of wheel you have I think.
text: The 26in diameter is fairly standard (i.e. only small variation) but the width of the rim can vary depending on the type of wheel (i.e. trail, all mountain, race, etc).
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/153/Dana the Sane
score: 0
sents: text: From what I understand,a tape, such as Velox would be your best bet.
text: This is a premium cloth tape that has a sticky backing to it, so as to hold it in place.
text: If you've changed a few tubes and are using a plastic tape, you'll know what I mean when I say the tape has a tendency to move sideways on you.
text: Like Dustin mentioned, you really only need a tape as wide as the "spoke trough".
text: Any wider and your tape may impinge on the seating of the tire bead to the rim.
text: Hope that helps....
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/7975/Einstein
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Rim tape is available in different materials: rubber, cloth and plastic. It does not seem that there is too much difference between them The most important aspect is the width: It should cover all the spoke nipples and/or the large holes drilled for the spokes, and fit well along the rim.
There are three main tape types organized by material, namely cloth, rubber and plastic. The former is enduring, and the two latter are stretchy, so you may choose according to your needs. Alternative types of rim strip include premium one-size strips similar to thick tape and electrical tape. Users also recommend specific brands, such as Velox. The former are more resilient. On a different note, the width of rim tape may depend on the wheel make and model. It is possible to select the correct size by following the standard diameter, by choosing a tape that covers all spoke nipples and spoke holes, or by fitting coins in the rim to approximate the width required.