I’ve done lots of searches and I’ve found some information… but I think theres more to be learned here. There also seems to be very little SPECIFIC info about taping… lots of talk, but no step by step type posts that I could find.
So for an Iron Distance race with bike check in the day before and a large temperature swing from morning to night… (40-70 degrees F)
-what are you techniques for wheel cover installation?
-tape scares me… its a point of failure / or could peel back and get tangled up in the works… I worry about checking my bike the day before with it taped up and the temperature swing / moisture affecting the bond. Am I wrong to fear the tape? for a TT I wouldn’t be so worried… but an Ironman? Whats the point of the tape in the first place?
-if you do tape your cover, whats your methodology? favorite tape?
-why do you tape at all? is there anything wrong with just using the provided fasteners?
-any tips on removing the wheelbuilder stickers? they seem persistant… and I think the wheelbuilder guys are great… but I want the all black clean look.
-anything you wheelcover owners wish you had known the first time you put the cover on?
-anyone experience any wheel cover related failures or issues during a race? (is there any reason I shouldn’t use one?)
Thanks for any info you can provide… much appreciated. If it helps… bike is a 2011 Cannondale Slice with SRAM S60s with a PT in the rear.
Stickers are easy. Peel off then use good off if needed. Use a hair dryer to heat them up first if needed.
I tried taping but on my wheel it changed the shape of the dome and how high it sat an the free hub. The fasteners didn’t cause that problem.
The fasteners can let the cover rotate a little as you ride and can rattle. I now put pieces of electrical tape over each fastener. Eliminates the rattle and keeps the from backing out in transport.
Good electrical tape isn’t going to go anywhere once it’s taped down to the surface. I bought some super-adhesive (black) duct tape from Home Depot to tape my spokes to the Non-Drive side wheel cover from the inside. Then, I fastened the cover using the fasteners supplied by WB. Then, I put tape around the outside edge of the Drive side cover after installing my cassette.
how do you get anything in life done when you have this many questions about taping a piece of plastic to your wheel?
tape the bitch to the wheel, use common sense.
Jack… for someone who responds to every wheel thread on ST with go get a cover or a disc you are a totally unhelpfull ass when it comes to some reasonable questions about how to install them. Seriously? Why not just ignore the thread and go back to trying to be the first person to reply to every single thread on ST.
I’m learning good things from every other post on this thread… I’ve learned nothing from yours.
Do nothin but use the fasteners. Not worried about it moving or sound. The fasteners hold great.
This.
I’ve never bothered w/ tape, mostly cuz my cover/rim interface leaves little room for it.
I don’t bother covering over the valve hole either. Neither of these things seems to have any noticable negative impact on my bike splits.
The only thing one might want tape for, is for the inside of the drive-side cover, if it rubs too much on the cassette.
Mine does this occasionally, but always seems to sort itself out, so I haven’t had to use the tape.
Disk cover user since '06.
To the OP - these Q’s have been asked, and answered, dozens of times over the years. Seriously.
Do a search. All will be revealed.
To the OP - these Q’s have been asked, and answered, dozens of times over the years. Seriously.
Do a search. All will be revealed.
Yep… did that… learned some things, but not everything that I was looking for. Lots of people talk about tape, but not where to put it, and which type/brand is best to use in which location, and if temperature swings affected it. Not a lot of chatter on the best application techniques either or whether strips vs. one continuous piece is the better method. Not a lot of debate between tape vs. no tape either. I was just hoping to learn more beyond what I was able to find. I was also surprised (and hopeful) about the lack of failure stories in relation to disk cover use and or using tape with a disc cover. I sort of envisioned tape coming loose and getting all jammed up in the works. So I wanted to hunt for info on that as well. Also not a lot of mention about what distances people are using the covers for… as in I use tape, but only for short stuff when I tape it that morning vs. I don’t use tape for an IM distance as it came loose on me on a really hot day.
I’m five weeks out from my first IM and just dotting every i and crossing every t to make sure I’m anticipating and avoiding everything I can control. And maybe obsessing a little too… Thanks all for the input.
I used a wheel cover this season. Previously used a RENN disc.
Here is how I install mine:
Remove wheel from bike.
Remove cassette from wheel
Put drive side cover on wheel using packaging tape on the inside to hold it tight to 4 or 6 spokes. To facilitate this I use a plastic box (just like in the wheel builder video).
Put non-drive side cover on wheel
Install supplied plastic screws to hold cover on.
Replace cassette
Replace wheel on bike
Miss the cool disc noise while riding.
Others have provided good info. In addition to taping the inside of the cassette side cover to the spokes to prevent it from rubbing on the cassette, I also use the wheelbuilder supplied plastic screws to secure the two sides of the cover together (use a coin, not a screw driver to avoid damaging the cover if you slip) and then I use a good quality electrical tape to tape the edges. I’m not sure you need to do both the tape and the screws, but that is what I do.
I use a single continuous piece of tape and the thing I make sure of when installing it is to ensure the tape is not stretched out from pulling it off the roll. I pull a little off the roll, which stretches it out a little, I let it take a few seconds to snap back into shape and then apply it to the wheelcover and rim and then carry on with the next few inches of tape. I’m not mechanically inclined but found this to work easily and reliably. this worked well at IMC last month where it was cool overnight and 32 C on race day.
Thank You! I missed that thread in my search when wading through the many many many threads that popped up… none of which had as much good info as that one.
