I have purchased a new set of wheels and now it is time to “glue” the tubulars. I have heard some good things about using tape instead of glue, mostly because it is not as messy, however I have some questions and concerns:
Is the premise correct? Is using tape easier and less messy?
Does the tape hold the tire as well as glue? Is there any chance of rolling a tire?
If you get a flat (I always leave an “unglued” portion opposite the valve stem) are taped tires harder or easier to get off the rim?
When you carry a spare how do you prepare it with tape? I have always pre-glued my spare tires in the past, but not sure what you do when you use the tape?
“1. Is the premise correct? Is using tape easier and less messy?”
I found it to be much easier, but if you’re careful with the glue it won’t be THAT messy in my experience (which is limited compared to many on here)
“2. Does the tape hold the tire as well as glue? Is there any chance of rolling a tire?”
I’ve never had the tape come loose.
“3. If you get a flat (I always leave an “unglued” portion opposite the valve stem) are taped tires harder or easier to get off the rim?”
You can also leave an unglued portion with tape, at least I always have.
“4. When you carry a spare how do you prepare it with tape? I have always pre-glued my spare tires in the past, but not sure what you do when you use the tape?”
Can’t help ya there.
And, AFAIK, there is info out there saying taping is quite a bit slower. hopefully someone can point us in that direction.
I’ve taped tubies on my wife’s road bike and I have to say that it was about 100x easier than even mounting a clincher tire. I can’t say for the Crr but the adhesion is good and it seems like it will be resonable to get off.
Just recently had to remove my tire to tighten down a leaky valve stem. I admit that getting the tire off the rim was a chore. Tape really held in place. Seating the tire back on the rim was not hard to do, just have to pull and roll a little as the tape wants to hold the tire. Raced on it this weekend and no issues. My question is how many times can the tire be pulled form the rim before the tape needs to be replaced?
I would recommend you glue your tubulars. It is really not that difficult, but it will take a bit more time than tape. Recently, there have been a couple of decent how to’s posted on velonews.com and here that explain it very well. The only real negative to gluing is that it takes some time. As you most likely know, you should apply glue in thin layers and let the glue dry prior to applying the next layer.
I have had to do it before and the tape comes off fairly easily. It does leave adhesive residue (clear) on the rim after you remove the plastic tape part. If this clear residue is clean, you can apply another tufo tape over it and it should bond ok. If it is not clean, you will have to remove that residue and clean the rim although clear adhesive removal is not eay. Tape is “easy on” but not “easy off” versus glue.
How are you doing? How was the training in El Paso been? Here is Boston it is just getting nice, although I am still trying to learn the roads around here.
On the wheels, I have always glued them, but just wanted to check if there was an easier way, that would also be easier to change a flat in a race if necessary.
Getting a tire off that is taped might be a little more difficult than with glue, it depends on age and gluing technique (rim prep, number of layers, type of glue, etc). I have removed a tire that was taped and it did not come off a uniform as tires I have removed from rims that have been glued. Some chunky residue tape was left on the rim, not sure if you are willing to pack a hair dryer in your flat kit to get it off. I would not feel as comfortable with that in a race day tire change, either.
I think it is quicker/easier to replace a glued tire than a taped tire, and I would have more confidence in that replacement, my 2 cents.
In my experience, if you have the time glue 'em but if the morning of a race and you find it flat - tape it. Tape is easy and quick to get on - plus it seals really well and I wouldn’t worry about it rolling. In fact, I would worry more about how you get it off. I found that with tape it is pretty hard to get the tire off and if it sticks to the tire and not the rim, you can pretty much plan on tossing it. With glue it is easier to reglue tires or use an older tire for a spare (I replace my tires when they get a little worn but are still good enough to ride). I am an idiot when it comes to my bike, but I find gluing tires to be pretty easy and prefer it.
Congrats on the win- I was going to give you a call last night when I saw the post- we’ll catch up later.
Are you using tubies for training wheels? If so, taping is a great option for the muss and fuss, with no more risk than rolling a tube than with glue.
See #1, and yes, it will “hold” as well, but the extra mm height and hysteria loss will lower increase RR.
Did you forget the razor-blade-taped-under-the-seat?
Tape activates primarily when it has the compression pressure after inflation. If it’s a “loose” tubie that’s been pre-stretched, I’ve put the tape on the tube, then rolled it up with the tube and tape under the seat or in the jersey. It will be a hard fit when changing the spare, but using a tire lever or skewer and some muscle will get it done.
On a side note, if these are for race wheels- I wouldn’t recommend using it. Some of the Al Morrison .pdf files and forum posts on biketechreview.com have the RR increases with tape. There are probably a few here as well.
My thoughts- trainer’s w/ tubies, it’s a “go”, race wheels with tubies “no go”
On a side note, if these are for race wheels- I wouldn’t recommend using it. Some of the Al Morrison .pdf files and forum posts on biketechreview.com have the RR increases with tape. There are probably a few here as well.
Just to clarify - I have not tested the Tufo tape vs. glue. I have heard anecdotal evidence that the tape is slow and have been offered tires and tape to do a comparison but haven’t had the interest in doing the test and cleaning the residue off my test wheel.