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Go easy on me folks, still a newbie at this!Â
Helping my mate with his bike. Sourced the Michelin tyres from banana thanks to advice on my other thread.Â
When we took the rear tyre off there was loads of pink fluid in the tyre, I mean loads even with it being a 2.8 so it must have been losing pressure on the rim tape I reckon. I'll try and attach pics.
The rear wheel has muckoff tape which isn't as wide as the front wheel with has the 'normal' cream coloured tape. This tape seems wider and the tyre hold pressure fine so I'm wondering if the muckoff tape is wide enough? I'm thinking he needs wider tape. So what width should I get?Â
Internal straight across is around 36mm.Â
I'll leave the front wheel as is and just redo the rear wheel.Â
He got the bike second hand so all this was done by previous owner.Â
Any advice on tape & width and where from please?
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Don't know how this pic link works so can put them togetherÂ
I personally wouldn't worry about the width of that tape. But in the past if the tyre seats properly, and the valve has sealed then replacing the tape has sorted it. Make sure it's properly clean first and go for a short ride once the tyre seats.
The tape technically only needs to cover the spoke holes but ideally covers from sidewall to sidewall. You need to aim for about 3mm wider tape than the internal width to account for the well in the middle. Once you've taken the old tape off you need to thoroughly clean the rim bed and then apply the new tape when it's nice and warm to help it stretch and stick better.
You could run a narrow strip of gorilla tape down the middle of that muc-off tape to just ensure the spoke and valve holes are tightly sealed. No need to go full width, and it would be easier to remove as it would come off with the rim tape if need be.Â
If that doesn’t work, you could just run two strips, one to each side, up to the rim side wall. But then you are getting into lots of layers and overlaps.  As it is, the rim tape does looks a little narrow.
Thanks for replies.
The muckoff tape is coming off as its not sticking properly on the overlap. So maybe I need to get 39mm tape from somewhere. I'd rather do one piece of tape of correct width tbh rather than mess about with a few pieces.Â
Just need to see where to get 39mm tape from. Any links for that?Â
I've got some isopropyl alcohol to clean the rim off.
CheersÂ
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To find out where a tyre is leaking from pump it up and spray it all over with water with a bit of fairy liquid. If not immediately obvious (large bubbles) leave the tyre for 15 mins or so. White foam will develop where the tyre leaksÂ
The tyre is already off and in the bin so I can't check that out. I'm sure it was leaking from the tape so I will try to source some tape and try again. I have some Stans runny stuff to use.Â
I've seen some WTB rim tape for a good price. Anyone had experience with that tape?Â
Cheers.Â
I've got some, it seems to seal just fine, I think the only issues I had was that a plastic tyre lever was putting holes in it so not the most durable. If you don't change tyres much then probably ok.
Thanks dc, I'll have a think.Â


