Newbie Question: Do I *Have* To Use Rim Tape?

[David L. Johnson]

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:25:17 -0600, di wrote:

>
> That's interesting, does the adhesive tape ever form a dimple into the spoke
> holes after a year or so. I've had trouble with almost all rim tape doing
> that, then the tube gets little bubble at the dimple. The Velox type
> strips last much longer than plastic or rubber. BTW I use 135psi tire
> pressure on my road bike.

No wonder you get a dimple over the spoke holes. That is a lot of
pressure; it must make for a rough ride. You might enjoy riding more with
a bit wider tire, and lower pressure.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | "What am I on? I'm on my bike, six hours a day, busting my ass.
_`\(,_ | What are you on?" --Lance Armstrong
(_)/ (_) |

 

[David L. Johnson]

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:46:00 -0800, landotter wrote:

>> The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
>> double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
>> wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
>> brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
>>
>
> D'oh! How obvious and brilliant. I've got some in the bathroom. Why
> couldn't I have thought of that?

I don't see the advantage, since a roll of adhesive tape costs more than a
roll of Velox rim tape, and while I'm sure the adhesive tape would work
OK, the real rim tape would be at least as good, and probably easier,
since you only have to use one layer.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can
_`\(,_ | assure you that mine are all greater. -- A. Einstein
(_)/ (_) |

 

[landotter]

David L. Johnson wrote:
> On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:46:00 -0800, landotter wrote:
>
> >> The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
> >> double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> >> wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> >> brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
> >>
> >
> > D'oh! How obvious and brilliant. I've got some in the bathroom. Why
> > couldn't I have thought of that?
>
> I don't see the advantage, since a roll of adhesive tape costs more than a
> roll of Velox rim tape, and while I'm sure the adhesive tape would work
> OK, the real rim tape would be at least as good, and probably easier,
> since you only have to use one layer.
>
> --

Uh, huh. The first aide tape I buy costs 99c for 5 meters. It's strong
enough to do one layer only. Just checked it out. That's 50c per wheel.
Velox is $4 at the LBS. No brainer. I never buy it, but now I'll use
the first aid stuff instead of electrical tape. I've always hated
Velox, as it seemed so ludicrous to have to buy cotton tape all the way
from France for the most basic of applications.

 

[[email protected]]

di wrote:
> <[email protected]> wrote i:

> > I used a
> > double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> > wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> > brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
> >
>
> That's interesting, does the adhesive tape ever form a dimple into the spoke
> holes after a year or so. I've had trouble with almost all rim tape doing
> that, then the tube gets little bubble at the dimple. The Velox type
> strips last much longer than plastic or rubber.

Well, let's see: That incident was three years ago. No problems
since. And come to think of it, no problems in the 15 or so years
before that, either.

> BTW I use 135psi tire pressure on my road bike.

Whoa.

I have a friend who claims to use 150 psi. or more. Personally, I keep
it at about 100 psi.

I'm sure rolling resistance can drop a bit with higher pressure, but
from what I read (and believe), that's true only if you're on extremely
smooth surfaces.

Consider: The ultimate in pressure would be equivalent to a steel
wheel with a thin rubber coating. If you were rolling on a smooth
steel rail, that might be great. But on a real road, you'd lose the
suspension effect that a flexible pneumatic tire provides. Any
irregularity would launch you into the air, losing the energy of
forward motion in the process.

So I use lower pressures than you, but I've never had a problem with my
Johnson & Johnson rim tape.

- Frank Krygowski

 

[catzz66]

Pat Lamb wrote:
>
>
> Have to agree with the recommendation, although my experience was less
> salutary. Stretchy rubber or plastic rim strips led to flats after
> 15-24 months. Velox cloth tape, OTOH, still going strong after 6 years
> or so.
>
>

I use Velox too, just because it is convenient. I have read this whole
thread to date and have to say it seems trivial to worry about the
difference between a .95 item and something that costs 2.95 if is going
to last years and thousands of miles. I have far more important and
equally trivial things to worry about. =]

 

[JimmyMac]

[email protected] wrote:
> daytoncapri wrote:
> >
> >
> > Anybody out there using duct tape?
>
> Only a couple times on a long tour, and then only to temporarily fix a
> person's bike who was getting flats with her brand new wheels.
>
> The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
> double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
>
> - Frank Krygowski

Frank,

I've often thought of using that, but recalled how tacky the adhesive
was and though if it ever had to be replaced this would prove to be
problematic. Then again, if it never has to be replaced, this is a
non-issue.

Jim McNamara

 

[[email protected]]

JimmyMac wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > daytoncapri wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Anybody out there using duct tape?
> >
> > Only a couple times on a long tour, and then only to temporarily fix a
> > person's bike who was getting flats with her brand new wheels.
> >
> > The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
> > double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> > wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> > brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
> >
> > - Frank Krygowski
>
> Frank,
>
> I've often thought of using that, but recalled how tacky the adhesive
> was and though if it ever had to be replaced this would prove to be
> problematic. Then again, if it never has to be replaced, this is a
> non-issue.

I've replaced it a few times over the years. It's no problem.

- Frank Krygowski

 

[[email protected]]

JimmyMac wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > daytoncapri wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Anybody out there using duct tape?
> >
> > Only a couple times on a long tour, and then only to temporarily fix a
> > person's bike who was getting flats with her brand new wheels.
> >
> > The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
> > double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> > wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> > brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
> >
> > - Frank Krygowski
>
> Frank,
>
> I've often thought of using that, but recalled how tacky the adhesive
> was and though if it ever had to be replaced this would prove to be
> problematic. Then again, if it never has to be replaced, this is a
> non-issue.

I've replaced it a few times over the years. It's no problem.

- Frank Krygowski

 

[landotter]

catzz66 wrote:
> Pat Lamb wrote:
> >
> >
> > Have to agree with the recommendation, although my experience was less
> > salutary. Stretchy rubber or plastic rim strips led to flats after
> > 15-24 months. Velox cloth tape, OTOH, still going strong after 6 years
> > or so.
> >
> >
>
> I use Velox too, just because it is convenient. I have read this whole
> thread to date and have to say it seems trivial to worry about the
> difference between a .95 item and something that costs 2.95 if is going
> to last years and thousands of miles. I have far more important and
> equally trivial things to worry about. =]

With the price around here, I save $7 on a set of wheels by not using
Velox. Never had a strip failure in a couple decades. It might be only
seven bucks to you, but you start adding up things that nickel and dime
you every day, and you'd be surprised. $7 buys two spicy catfish
sandwiches at my local fish stand. I guess some folks have their
priorities...

 

[John Thompson]

On 2006-11-04, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:

> The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
> double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.

I've never found a double layer to be necessary. But if you want to get
really exotic, Johnson & Johnson makes a silk cloth adhesive tape.

--

John ([email protected])

 

[landotter]

John Thompson wrote:
> On 2006-11-04, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > The permanent fix came when we got to the next pharmacy. I used a
> > double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
> > wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
> > brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
>
> I've never found a double layer to be necessary. But if you want to get
> really exotic, Johnson & Johnson makes a silk cloth adhesive tape.


Class Warfare!

 

[Tom Keats]

In article <[email protected]>,
"landotter" <[email protected]> writes:

> $7 buys two spicy catfish
> sandwiches at my local fish stand. I guess some folks have their
> priorities...


Oooh, gawd, send me some! Hushpuppies on the side, & real southern
tomato & shrimp aspic sittin' on a bed 'o' iceberg lettuce & mayo too,
please! And cornmeal-fried crawdad tails.
And 'slaw.

Awww, mannn -- yer hurtin' me.

O' course, blackened redfish ain't a patch on smoked Alaska black cod.
Maybe we can do a trade ...


Nah. It's frowned-upon at the border.

Shucks!


cheers,
Tom


--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

 

[landotter]

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "landotter" <[email protected]> writes:
>
> > $7 buys two spicy catfish
> > sandwiches at my local fish stand. I guess some folks have their
> > priorities...
>
>
> Oooh, gawd, send me some! Hushpuppies on the side, & real southern
> tomato & shrimp aspic sittin' on a bed 'o' iceberg lettuce & mayo too,
> please! And cornmeal-fried crawdad tails.
> And 'slaw.
>
> Awww, mannn -- yer hurtin' me.
>
> O' course, blackened redfish ain't a patch on smoked Alaska black cod.
> Maybe we can do a trade ...
>
>
> Nah. It's frowned-upon at the border.
>
> Shucks!
>


Black cod ain't nothing to sneer at. Tasty stuff! Eat locally is my
rule. Round here that means the classic cornmeal breaded catfish or
whiting sandwich: two fillets on shitty white bread to soak up the
grease, with hamburger pickles toothpicked on top and a couple shakes
of Trappey's hot sauce. If you're ever in the Buckle of the Bible Belt,
do pay a visit to Eastside Fish on Gallatin Road. It's in the back of
a laundromat, baby, so you know it's awesome! They claim to be the
crunkest fish in town, and don't worry if you don't know what crunk
is, you'll learn.

We also have the official local delight: hot chicken. The mayor of our
fair city is a proponent of hot chicken, and has suggested a festival
in its honor. Forget about property tax or zoning issues--you can trust
a hot chicken eater. Makes you honest. Like the folks at Princes
Chicken say, "If you get the hot, don't plan on travelling for 24
hours." My local, Bolton's Hot Chicken (and fish), is a little less
painfull, if you ask the nice lady if her chicken is hot she'll say,
"It's hot, but you won't lose your composure."

Don't think that such foods are just for one kind of folk over the
other. Over at Prince's you'll see folks of every color, wearing
business suits or flip flops, and often you'll see local chefs getting
their fix. Yup, there's nothing more democratic than knowing all of you
will be sitting on the can and invoking the creator's name after 12
hours.

I could tell you about the smoked pork shoulder sandwich over at
Cantrell's. I could tell you how they serve it with cole slaw and hot
vinegar sauce, with greens and white bean on the side. There's even a
big poster of Muhammed Ali on the wall and a family illustrated Bible
to admire if the line's long. Yeah, I could tell you about that, but
it would be cruel...

 

[Peter Cole]

[email protected] wrote:
> di wrote:
>> <[email protected]> wrote i:
>
>>> I used a
>>> double layer of cloth adhesive tape (Johnson & Johnson brand), 1/2"
>>> wide. It works so well it's what I always use. I never bother with
>>> brand-name bike-specific stuff like Velox.
>>>
>> That's interesting, does the adhesive tape ever form a dimple into the spoke
>> holes after a year or so. I've had trouble with almost all rim tape doing
>> that, then the tube gets little bubble at the dimple. The Velox type
>> strips last much longer than plastic or rubber.
>
> Well, let's see: That incident was three years ago. No problems
> since. And come to think of it, no problems in the 15 or so years
> before that, either.
>

I've used medical tape as well, without any problems -- typical rims,
typical pressure.

 

[Werehatrack]

On 5 Nov 2006 10:35:45 -0800, "landotter" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Tom Keats wrote:
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> "landotter" <[email protected]> writes:
>>
>> > $7 buys two spicy catfish
>> > sandwiches at my local fish stand. I guess some folks have their
>> > priorities...
>>
>>
>> Oooh, gawd, send me some! Hushpuppies on the side, & real southern
>> tomato & shrimp aspic sittin' on a bed 'o' iceberg lettuce & mayo too,
>> please! And cornmeal-fried crawdad tails.
>> And 'slaw.
>>
>> Awww, mannn -- yer hurtin' me.
>>
>> O' course, blackened redfish ain't a patch on smoked Alaska black cod.
>> Maybe we can do a trade ...
>>
>>
>> Nah. It's frowned-upon at the border.
>>
>> Shucks!
>>
>
>
>Black cod ain't nothing to sneer at. Tasty stuff! Eat locally is my
>rule. Round here that means the classic cornmeal breaded catfish or
>whiting sandwich: two fillets on shitty white bread to soak up the
>grease, with hamburger pickles toothpicked on top and a couple shakes
>of Trappey's hot sauce. If you're ever in the Buckle of the Bible Belt,
>do pay a visit to Eastside Fish on Gallatin Road. It's in the back of
>a laundromat, baby, so you know it's awesome! They claim to be the
>crunkest fish in town, and don't worry if you don't know what crunk
>is, you'll learn.
>
>We also have the official local delight: hot chicken. The mayor of our
>fair city is a proponent of hot chicken, and has suggested a festival
>in its honor. Forget about property tax or zoning issues--you can trust
>a hot chicken eater. Makes you honest. Like the folks at Princes
>Chicken say, "If you get the hot, don't plan on travelling for 24
>hours." My local, Bolton's Hot Chicken (and fish), is a little less
>painfull, if you ask the nice lady if her chicken is hot she'll say,
>"It's hot, but you won't lose your composure."
>
>Don't think that such foods are just for one kind of folk over the
>other. Over at Prince's you'll see folks of every color, wearing
>business suits or flip flops, and often you'll see local chefs getting
>their fix. Yup, there's nothing more democratic than knowing all of you
>will be sitting on the can and invoking the creator's name after 12
>hours.
>
>I could tell you about the smoked pork shoulder sandwich over at
>Cantrell's. I could tell you how they serve it with cole slaw and hot
>vinegar sauce, with greens and white bean on the side. There's even a
>big poster of Muhammed Ali on the wall and a family illustrated Bible
>to admire if the line's long. Yeah, I could tell you about that, but
>it would be cruel...


This is beginning to sound like the script of a "Hey Grandpa! What's
for supper?" bit on Hee-Haw.

[Under oath, I will deny having ever voluntarily watched that
program.]


--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

 

[landotter]

Werehatrack wrote:
> On 5 Nov 2006 10:35:45 -0800, "landotter" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Tom Keats wrote:
> >> In article <[email protected]>,
> >> "landotter" <[email protected]> writes:
> >>
> >> > $7 buys two spicy catfish
> >> > sandwiches at my local fish stand. I guess some folks have their
> >> > priorities...
> >>
> >>
> >> Oooh, gawd, send me some! Hushpuppies on the side, & real southern
> >> tomato & shrimp aspic sittin' on a bed 'o' iceberg lettuce & mayo too,
> >> please! And cornmeal-fried crawdad tails.
> >> And 'slaw.
> >>
> >> Awww, mannn -- yer hurtin' me.
> >>
> >> O' course, blackened redfish ain't a patch on smoked Alaska black cod.
> >> Maybe we can do a trade ...
> >>
> >>
> >> Nah. It's frowned-upon at the border.
> >>
> >> Shucks!
> >>
> >
> >
> >Black cod ain't nothing to sneer at. Tasty stuff! Eat locally is my
> >rule. Round here that means the classic cornmeal breaded catfish or
> >whiting sandwich: two fillets on shitty white bread to soak up the
> >grease, with hamburger pickles toothpicked on top and a couple shakes
> >of Trappey's hot sauce. If you're ever in the Buckle of the Bible Belt,
> >do pay a visit to Eastside Fish on Gallatin Road. It's in the back of
> >a laundromat, baby, so you know it's awesome! They claim to be the
> >crunkest fish in town, and don't worry if you don't know what crunk
> >is, you'll learn.
> >
> >We also have the official local delight: hot chicken. The mayor of our
> >fair city is a proponent of hot chicken, and has suggested a festival
> >in its honor. Forget about property tax or zoning issues--you can trust
> >a hot chicken eater. Makes you honest. Like the folks at Princes
> >Chicken say, "If you get the hot, don't plan on travelling for 24
> >hours." My local, Bolton's Hot Chicken (and fish), is a little less
> >painfull, if you ask the nice lady if her chicken is hot she'll say,
> >"It's hot, but you won't lose your composure."
> >
> >Don't think that such foods are just for one kind of folk over the
> >other. Over at Prince's you'll see folks of every color, wearing
> >business suits or flip flops, and often you'll see local chefs getting
> >their fix. Yup, there's nothing more democratic than knowing all of you
> >will be sitting on the can and invoking the creator's name after 12
> >hours.
> >
> >I could tell you about the smoked pork shoulder sandwich over at
> >Cantrell's. I could tell you how they serve it with cole slaw and hot
> >vinegar sauce, with greens and white bean on the side. There's even a
> >big poster of Muhammed Ali on the wall and a family illustrated Bible
> >to admire if the line's long. Yeah, I could tell you about that, but
> >it would be cruel...
>
>
> This is beginning to sound like the script of a "Hey Grandpa! What's
> for supper?" bit on Hee-Haw.
>
> [Under oath, I will deny having ever voluntarily watched that
> program.]


I love Hee-Haw. Corny, but good. I'll watch reruns with no shame. Who
doesn't like to watch people stand around in a corn field and tell
groaners??

I also like Russ Meyer films. You've got to have the right balance of
fromage in life.

 

[Tom Keats]

In article <[email protected]>,
Werehatrack <[email protected]> writes:

>>I could tell you about the smoked pork shoulder sandwich over at
>>Cantrell's. I could tell you how they serve it with cole slaw and hot
>>vinegar sauce, with greens and white bean on the side. There's even a
>>big poster of Muhammed Ali on the wall and a family illustrated Bible
>>to admire if the line's long. Yeah, I could tell you about that, but
>>it would be cruel...
>
>
> This is beginning to sound like the script of a "Hey Grandpa! What's
> for supper?" bit on Hee-Haw.

I dunno what a Hee-Haw is, but it don't sound to ... crunk(?)
(I thought that was an insipid version of hiphop fraught with
club-music tape loops 'n disco rhythm machines.) I'm not sure
if the works of E-Z and Ice Cube and Ray Jeem (sp?) fall into
that category, but I've acquired a taste for some of their work.

But cars only use limited types of fuel, provided by the likes
of Esso and Chevron and Shell and BP, et al. We riders have
much more varied & diverse and soul-replenishing requirements.

I daresay, certain cyclists' fuels may be optimal for certain
riding conditions, including not only terrain or weather, but
also time of day or purpose of ride. And there's a certain
amount of regionality I find interesting. In fact I find it
noteworthy that different regions provide their own particular,
local nourishments & fuels for the riders there.

I figure a cycle tourist [ad]venturing into hitherto unexperienced
territories had better have an ecclectic and unprejudiced palate.
Maybe even when it comes to eating creepy-crawly bugs & worms.
after all, they're just critters -- same as cows 'n chickens 'n
oysters 'n the microscopic stuff living in your cheese.


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca