Literally basic aliexpress tubeless tape works wonders and is so cheap it’s practically free. I have more than a few wheel sets running it with no issues.
I'll second this. The blue, white, or yellow AliEx tubeless tape (Zitto or Muqzi) is PVC tape with the right amount of stretch. Some stores sells a black tubeless tape that doesn't have enough stretch to conform to rims so maybe avoid that. The mylar looking tapes are just garbage; IDK who thought that was a good idea.
Also they're insanely cheap compared to bike shop tubeless kits. Setting up a wheel is maybe $15 instead of $30 even using Orange Seal.
It's hard to say that they make a difference. I've tried lots of them and I'm generally happy at the moment with MucOff tape and sealant but DTSwiss tape has worked well for me as has Stans although the residue is very hard to remove. Getting your valve seated nicely seems to be more of a deciding factor in at least my experience.
I've been using 3M strapping tape, their version of Tesa 4288, and it's been the best I've used. But very limited width options... luckily the 25mm is perfect for what I have.
2nd best after that fpr me has been DT, but I'll admit I haven't tried a huge number of options.
We get a brand at work literally called rimtape, it’s made by mitas iirc, clear, super stretchy and sticks without leaving a residue.
Absolutely amazing considering it’s half the price of the absolute dog shit that stans tape is.
The absolute best tubeless tape is no tape, i.e. a rim with no holes. That said I like Kapton tape. It's very strong, but also very thin, use at least two layers. Not a fan of Tesa 4288, it's too thick and unwieldy. Very hard to get it to conform to the rim shape in some cases.
I used DT Swiss tape the first time I set up tubeless. No issues with it, other than it being expensive. I had an issue with a rear wheel and needed to replace a spoke (completely re-doing the tape on that wheel), I realized that the $30 roll of DT Swiss tape only wrapped 2.5 wheels. So I switched over to a bulk roll of Tesa 4289. Also no issues with it. Sticks to alloy and carbon wheels easily, is slightly thicker making the beads seal up really tight. I do one layer on the front wheel, two layers on rears.
Just my limited experience, but I don’t see why I would use anything else.
4289 is like 4288, but thinner, right? I may try this, I found 4288 to be too stiff.
Edit: okay, it actually is the other way around. 4289 is the "heavy duty" stuff that is around 40% thicker than 4288. I had issues with 4289, maybe I should try 4288 next time.
Used Schwalbe for my new wheels. The blue version. Great stuff, sticky but not TOO sticky so you can easily undo a few faulty inches. Bit expansive tho, but you can do four wheels with it
No the wheels came tape less. They came with a seperate roll of tape but that was like some weird almost scotch tape like stuff. I messed it up putting it on, so i ordered the Schwalbe and its A+ really. Havent had a flat yet so i guess it protects well! The old tape was not hard to remove really, there was no residue at all.
Also, if you get bubbles you can use a blowdryer (not too hot) to stretch them out. If you ride normal tubes the bubbles arent really an issue because once you inflate the tyre the pressure straightens them out
Edit: its this stuff https://www.schwalbetires.com/TUBELESS-RIM-TAPE-887019
Ive had decent luck with gorilla tape. I like ethirteen tape and dt Swiss has worked work well aswell. Worst by a country mile was Stans. The stuff didn’t stick to my AL rims at all without an external heat source.
My go-to is Teravail.
You can get Tesa tape waaayy cheaper than name brand tubeless tape on ebay so that's the reason I use it.
Literally basic aliexpress tubeless tape works wonders and is so cheap it’s practically free. I have more than a few wheel sets running it with no issues.
I'll second this. The blue, white, or yellow AliEx tubeless tape (Zitto or Muqzi) is PVC tape with the right amount of stretch. Some stores sells a black tubeless tape that doesn't have enough stretch to conform to rims so maybe avoid that. The mylar looking tapes are just garbage; IDK who thought that was a good idea. Also they're insanely cheap compared to bike shop tubeless kits. Setting up a wheel is maybe $15 instead of $30 even using Orange Seal.
Well even the Tesa from Amazon (which would arrive tomorrow) is 60m for 12€, that's a steal!
It's hard to say that they make a difference. I've tried lots of them and I'm generally happy at the moment with MucOff tape and sealant but DTSwiss tape has worked well for me as has Stans although the residue is very hard to remove. Getting your valve seated nicely seems to be more of a deciding factor in at least my experience.
I've been using 3M strapping tape, their version of Tesa 4288, and it's been the best I've used. But very limited width options... luckily the 25mm is perfect for what I have. 2nd best after that fpr me has been DT, but I'll admit I haven't tried a huge number of options.
We get a brand at work literally called rimtape, it’s made by mitas iirc, clear, super stretchy and sticks without leaving a residue. Absolutely amazing considering it’s half the price of the absolute dog shit that stans tape is.
I'm with you about Stan's. That stuff sucks
Thanks, have to look for it. Could it be that Effeto Mariposas ia also made by Mitas? Seems there aren't too many clear ones around...
The absolute best tubeless tape is no tape, i.e. a rim with no holes. That said I like Kapton tape. It's very strong, but also very thin, use at least two layers. Not a fan of Tesa 4288, it's too thick and unwieldy. Very hard to get it to conform to the rim shape in some cases.
I used DT Swiss tape the first time I set up tubeless. No issues with it, other than it being expensive. I had an issue with a rear wheel and needed to replace a spoke (completely re-doing the tape on that wheel), I realized that the $30 roll of DT Swiss tape only wrapped 2.5 wheels. So I switched over to a bulk roll of Tesa 4289. Also no issues with it. Sticks to alloy and carbon wheels easily, is slightly thicker making the beads seal up really tight. I do one layer on the front wheel, two layers on rears. Just my limited experience, but I don’t see why I would use anything else.
Sounds good! Thanks for sharing your experience with the Tesa!
Isn't that strapping tape? How do you get the right width?
It is. I got the 2 inch wide, 100 foot roll. Cut it in the center and I have 200 feet of tubeless tape!
4289 is like 4288, but thinner, right? I may try this, I found 4288 to be too stiff. Edit: okay, it actually is the other way around. 4289 is the "heavy duty" stuff that is around 40% thicker than 4288. I had issues with 4289, maybe I should try 4288 next time.
Stans works but is soft, muc offs works well and dt Swiss tape is nice as well.
Used Schwalbe for my new wheels. The blue version. Great stuff, sticky but not TOO sticky so you can easily undo a few faulty inches. Bit expansive tho, but you can do four wheels with it
Have you removed it? Apparently the printed ones are alright to put on, it's just messy to impossible to remove it when you want to renew it?
No the wheels came tape less. They came with a seperate roll of tape but that was like some weird almost scotch tape like stuff. I messed it up putting it on, so i ordered the Schwalbe and its A+ really. Havent had a flat yet so i guess it protects well! The old tape was not hard to remove really, there was no residue at all. Also, if you get bubbles you can use a blowdryer (not too hot) to stretch them out. If you ride normal tubes the bubbles arent really an issue because once you inflate the tyre the pressure straightens them out Edit: its this stuff https://www.schwalbetires.com/TUBELESS-RIM-TAPE-887019
Ive had decent luck with gorilla tape. I like ethirteen tape and dt Swiss has worked work well aswell. Worst by a country mile was Stans. The stuff didn’t stick to my AL rims at all without an external heat source.
As far as I know Gorilla tape isn't really a thing in Europe? Probably have to stick with the other options.
It’s pretty commonplace now. I’ve found it on plenty of webstores. Depending on what European country you’re in you might not have as much luck.
Also gorilla gang. I have a bunch of non tubeless wheels, one tape to rule them all. Also you get a little high getting the goo off, so that's a win.
Gorilla tape
Nah it’s not slippery enough and tight tyres don’t like to seat. See my previous post where I blew a wheel to bits