Rim tape does not stick to the rim

N

nampla

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Taped plenty of narrow 26" XC rims without any issues, normally used Stan's tape. It was sticky, and I could get it really tight and it lasted.
Now got this Giant Trail alloy rim, 30mm wide, and tape just does not stick to it. Tried Stan's 32mm tape, tried ZTTO 31mm from Ali, even tried old narrow Stan's tape I've used for XC wheels, that worked great before- none of them stick. I mean, there is some adhesion, but when I try to tension the tapeby pulling it it just gets undone. Today I've tried to apply some heat to make the tape more sticky, sort of works, but still not a clean look, bubbles, folds, and will probably survive no more than one tyre change.
I do clean the rim thoroughly, use iso alcohol, it is pretty clean. Any ideas?
 
Haven't taped a rim for a while but from memory the stans tape was pretty average.

Maybe try a different tape (DT?) or Bontrager rim strips could be another option.
 
Art Vanderlay said:
New bike time
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Man I've got the same problem on one of my rims. No matter what i clean the rim with it doesn't seem to stick. I ended up taping a layer of ordinary electrical tape to the rim, and then the rim tape adhered to that. It works ok, but it usually needs replacing each tyre change
 
You said you tried heat. Did you warm up the rim? I could not get muc off tape to stick to a alloy DT Swiss. Warmed the rim up a little and it worked great.

Based on reviews of muc off tape, I am not looking forward to removing it, if I have to in the future.
 
nampla said:
Taped plenty of narrow 26" XC rims without any issues, normally used Stan's tape. It was sticky, and I could get it really tight and it lasted.
Now got this Giant Trail alloy rim, 30mm wide, and tape just does not stick to it. Tried Stan's 32mm tape, tried ZTTO 31mm from Ali, even tried old narrow Stan's tape I've used for XC wheels, that worked great before- none of them stick. I mean, there is some adhesion, but when I try to tension the tapeby pulling it it just gets undone. Today I've tried to apply some heat to make the tape more sticky, sort of works, but still not a clean look, bubbles, folds, and will probably survive no more than one tyre change.
I do clean the rim thoroughly, use iso alcohol, it is pretty clean. Any ideas?
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Scrub the rimbed with scotchbrite pad then wipe with alcohol.
 
I've had his problem before. I suspect wax from the releasing agent used on tube manufacturing had found its way onto the rim. Wax is poorly soluble in alcohol. I can't remember the brand I had at the time but degreaser worked for me.
 
Freediver said:
I've had his problem before. I suspect wax from the releasing agent used on tube manufacturing had found its way onto the rim. Wax is poorly soluble in alcohol. I can't remember the brand I had at the time but degreaser worked for me.
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Mineral Turps to get the wax/sticky off, Methylated Spirit to then get the oily turps residue off.

Chain waxing 101 ;)
 
clockworked said:
Man I've got the same problem on one of my rims. No matter what i clean the rim with it doesn't seem to stick. I ended up taping a layer of ordinary electrical tape to the rim, and then the rim tape adhered to that. It works ok, but it usually needs replacing each tyre change
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Yeah, tried this yesterday, but with wide 30mm ID rim it didn't quite work. I remember once I was in a hurry and ran out of proper tape - I've taped XC rim with Scotch clear tape, the one used in gift wrapping and such. A few layers, and it held. Was supposed to retape it in a couple of days with proper tape, but forgot. Realised that it was there a year later, when changing tyre, and had no issues with with leaks during that year. This what makes me so frustrated with taping this rim!
 
BTW, this rim is not new, it was taped from factory by Giant. Got sharp rock through the tyre and the rim, so the original tape was damaged. Removed the original tape, spent lots of effort to remove the residual adhesive (turpentine, WD40,alcohol, heat, scraping - tried it all) , and now it is all gone and rim looks clean. But not very adhearable :-(
 
dkselw said:
You said you tried heat. Did you warm up the rim? I could not get muc off tape to stick to a alloy DT Swiss. Warmed the rim up a little and it worked great.

Based on reviews of muc off tape, I am not looking forward to removing it, if I have to in the future.
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I just used a hairdrier on high setting blowing air on the tape as I was applying it. How would one heat the rim?
 
Just had a chat with Giant shop, they stand by their own tape as something vastly superior to other brands. No clues as to why Stan's does not stick to Giant rim
 
No don't go to raw metal.

All you are doing is creating very fine micro abrasions in the surface of the paint or anodising, to allow the adhesive more purchase.

Just lightly scrub until you see a fine powdery residue.

nampla said:
You mean to the raw metal? The rimbed is painted, could it be that the paint is the problem....?
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nampla said:
I just used a hairdrier on high setting blowing air on the tape as I was applying it. How would one heat the rim?
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I used a temperature controlled hot air gun, but a hair dryer would work for warming up the rim. Just needs to be warm, not hot.
 
nampla said:
Just had a chat with Giant shop, they stand by their own tape as something vastly superior to other brands. No clues as to why Stan's does not stick to Giant rim
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Stans is similar if not the same as Tesa 4289 strapping tape which can be bought in much larger rolls and cheaper. It's very good in my experience when applied properly and lasts for many years with clean removal when needed.

The most idiot proof tape I have found is DT Swiss. It's a bit expensive but sticks really nice, removes cleanly, but ideally needs 2 full wraps to be durable.
 
The Giant rims have a rough paint finish not smooth like a DT rim etc... Their own rimtape is quite good, but it is a royal pain in the ass to remove.
I've been using e13 rim tape for a while now, easy to put on and have never had to worry about it since.
Probably the only good thing E13 put their name to.
 
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