I have heard about people taping their Disc Wheel Covers.
How easy is it?
I have the normal screws for my cover, however they have been miss-placed and I dont have time to get new ones… So if I want to use my wheel covers this weekend will need to tape them.
Any information would be appreciated!!!
Thanks
Get decent electrical tape, clean wheel surface where the tape is going to stick with a damp rag, dry it off, and start taping, making sure not to put the tape on the brake track. Cut the tape as opposed to tearing it when you’ve finished going around. It’s pretty straightforward.
Generally how long do you cut each price of electrical tape?
Also, I assume best to cover the existing holes with tape also?
Sounds like a lot of tape, but easy enough
Thanks!
Go around with a good quality 3m tape. Keep it on roll and go slow. Maybe about 1foot section at a time but still attached to the roll cut off with a razor blade. You could do it in a 50/50 run. If so i would get a 2-3 inch piece of tape and put over cut meeting ends. Try not to leave out in the sun.
I cut it just long enough…
Unroll about 8" off the tape roll (but don’t cut it) and put it on. Use a finger or thumb on the hand not holding the tape roll to smooth the tape. Then unroll another 8" and keep going around until you overlap from where you started by an inch or two.
If you tried to pull the tape off the roll all at once and then put it on the wheel, it would get all twisted and stick to everything, (pets, kids, rugs, etc) and not be very sticky when you finally got it lined up.
It doesn’t matter if you cover the existing holes, it’s more important that you get enough tape on both the cover and the rim. I think if you try to tape the holes you might end up with too much tape on the cover and not enough on the rim.
Great info, guys. Thanks
Sounds straight forward enough
Generally how long do you cut each price of electrical tape?
Also, I assume best to cover the existing holes with tape also?
Sounds like a lot of tape, but easy enough
Thanks!
I don’t cut the tape at all. I use 1 bit of tape right around my whole wheel / cover. Electrical tape has some stretch in it and I’ve found by keeping tension on while pulling it off the roll it doesn’t buckle and crease. Makes a long smooth finish. I then cut little squares of tape and put them over the screw holes.
Taping is easier than using the screws! I found it difficult to get both sides aligned using the screws. With the tape, you can line one side up at a time and put 3 or 4 pieces of tape on the rim to hold it in place for the real taping.
I usually tape the rim with one continuous strip, working a 1"-2" at a time. Just keep pulling a bit of tape off the roll and use your thumb to guide the tape / press it on to the rim. It takes about 5 min per side.
Another important point… Tape the drive side (DS) first. When you’re done with the outside taping, use some packing tape on the inside of the DS cover to tape a few spokes to the cover. Doing so reduces the likely hood that your cassette will rub against the cover.
As others have said, don’t use the cheap electrical tape. The 3M / Scotch brand is well worth the extra pennies. It adheres better, flexes better, and doesn’t leave a sticky residue when you pull it off.
Another important point… Tape the drive side (DS) first. When you’re done with the outside taping, use some packing tape on the inside of the DS cover to tape a few spokes to the cover. Doing so reduces the likely hood that your cassette will rub against the cover.
I would say this, but tape to the DS spokes before taping the rim. If you tape to the rim first, the outer edge is constrained so that when you tape to the spokes, any extra bow in the cover has nowhere to go. If you tape to the spokes first, you flatten out any excess bow first, and then tape the cover at the rim.
Asad
Another important point… Tape the drive side (DS) first. When you’re done with the outside taping, use some packing tape on the inside of the DS cover to tape a few spokes to the cover. Doing so reduces the likely hood that your cassette will rub against the cover.
I would say this, but tape to the DS spokes before taping the rim. If you tape to the rim first, the outer edge is constrained so that when you tape to the spokes, any extra bow in the cover has nowhere to go. If you tape to the spokes first, you flatten out any excess bow first, and then tape the cover at the rim.
Asad
Great tips! I had some cassette rubbing when I used my wheelcover the first time and couldn’t figure out how to eliminate it. This seems like a great option to at least reduce the rubbing, which drove me nuts.
good point. I’ll do that next time!
I was trading places with this girl at Kansas 70.3 for a bit on the bike. She got a little ahead of me at an aid station. When I passed her for the final time, she was picking/pulling electrical tape out of her drive train on the shoulder of the road. Make sure you do it right.
Use good tape. 3m has tape that will not leave nasty residue when removed and will stay put even in a rainy event.
-Jeff
Use good tape. 3m has tape that will not leave nasty residue when removed and will stay put even in a rainy event.
-Jeff
3M Super33 Electrical tape works the best. Holds great in the heat and the rain yet peels off without leaving a residue!
+3 on the 3M tape for quality. No need to cut the tape in sections, just work your way around. Important point though, don’t stretch the tape in the roll direction. The adhesive gets soft in heat and the tape will move to relax the built in stess.
Another important point… Tape the drive side (DS) first. When you’re done with the outside taping, use some packing tape on the inside of the DS cover to tape a few spokes to the cover. Doing so reduces the likely hood that your cassette will rub against the cover.
I would say this, but tape to the DS spokes before taping the rim. If you tape to the rim first, the outer edge is constrained so that when you tape to the spokes, any extra bow in the cover has nowhere to go. If you tape to the spokes first, you flatten out any excess bow first, and then tape the cover at the rim.
Asad
Does anyone have a pic of how they are taping the spokes to the cover? Self explanatory I know… but my RD is just barely rubbing in biggest cog (cassette has clearance and cover is warp free laying very nice) and I am hoping this does the trick. I would like to see how others are positioning the tape as I am a little concerned about the strength of the packaging tape holding the cover “sucked in” against the spokes. Figured maybe some one had a trick/ strategy.