First time doing a tubeless setup, wondering if I need to redo my rim tape? There are quite a few bubbles in the center channel.
Thanks so much for your help!
by LaughinBird
First time doing a tubeless setup, wondering if I need to redo my rim tape? There are quite a few bubbles in the center channel.
Thanks so much for your help!
by LaughinBird
13 Comments
I’d redo it. Also good for practice since it’s your first time.
Nah, just mount the tire with a tube and pump it up . The tube will seal down the tape, then remove it and seal as normal.
Just press down the sides to make sure they’re stuck well to the rim. I think it should seal fine. Mine looks worse and it sealed fine.
I’d do it again, especially because of what the other commenter said. You’re going to get a better feel for it the 2nd time around. It needs to be VERY tight, it’s actually easiest to when the wheel is mounted on your bike so you can really apply some force to it.
Also, that Stans tape fucking sucks. The Muc-off stuff is way easier and just as available.
I’m not sure who else makes them but I know trek (or bontrager) has a one piece tape that just stretches a little and pops into place. If this doesn’t work you could look into trying that instead and avoid taping and retaping
My trick for tension on the tape:
– Mount your wheel on the bike.
– Zip tie your brake lever.
– Set the drag so it’s pretty firm, almost won’t move unless you really pull on it.
– Pull your tape tight. Push out your bubbles.
– Work one small 3-6 inch section at a time.
Nope.. clean it up and you’re good to go!
Mine looked the same when I used similar rim tape.
I tried to redo that a couple of times, but gave up, because all the time the result was like this.
Then I just put a tire, and I’m still riding that wheel 4 years later.
You’ll be fine.
Looks good for a first try. If it was mine I would seat a tyre on and see if it holds pressure correctly and if so add sealant after, if it doesn’t hold air retake but you will have lost nothing other than a short time giving it a go.
stan tape always looks a bit ugly after install, but it will work fine.. so you have nothing to worry about
Haven’t found a tape that I really like. Have used gorilla tape before as well. I only use Orange Seal though. Relatively cheap and works the best out of all the sealants I’ve tried.
What I do for Stan’s when it’s like this is take a heat gun to it.
You can’t put a lot of heat. Just enough to make it pliable and activate the adhesive. It will drop right into place. works great.
(Also, better to do this on a stand or mounted to the bike. So you can rotate as you apply the heat)