Author Topic: Tubeless tape alternative  (Read 7071 times)

danielG169

Tubeless tape alternative
« on: June 23, 2025, 12:49:55 AM »
To quickly summarise how I got here:
Elitewheels packed enough tape for two wheels, but the park tool video said to wrap the wheel with the tape twice, so I had no more tape for the front wheel.
I took it to the local bike shop where they wrapped it but it would lose air and I would have to pump it up every day (for three months)
I asked Elitewheels what tape they sent me, but it was out of stock. I found what I believe to be the exact same (it looks, feels the same, etc) but it is marked as Polyimide Tape, for electrical work.


So the point of my post is: you don't need to buy tubeless tape, I got a 33m long roll of tape that is perfectly good for my wheels. It maintained pressure, unlike the bike shop installed tape, and was a lot cheaper. Here is the listing: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005007555704603.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.16.2c271802m6pSdh&gatewayAdapt=glo2vnm

I got the 30mm wide tape for my 25mm internal width elitewheels ent-gravel wheelset.

SillyMochi

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2025, 04:27:41 AM »
I'm using the Tesa 4289 tape. I believe this is what "real" mechanics use in the back while they happily sell you the 10m for 20€ "branded" stuff. Available in all sorts of width (from 6mm up to 100mm in 2-3mm steps). Comes on a 66m (sic!) roll. Paid about 12€ on eBay for a 27mm roll. Will last me forever.

Link: https://www.tesa.com/en-gb/industry/tesa-4289.html
Slow on the climb. And everywhere else.

jhearrtot

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2025, 08:56:11 AM »
I'm using Caffélatex Tubeless Tape from Effeto Mariposa and it's been good so far since I installed it 3 years ago

poyo

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2025, 12:49:52 PM »
I'm using the Tesa 4289 tape. I believe this is what "real" mechanics use in the back while they happily sell you the 10m for 20€ "branded" stuff. Available in all sorts of width (from 6mm up to 100mm in 2-3mm steps). Comes on a 66m (sic!) roll. Paid about 12€ on eBay for a 27mm roll. Will last me forever.

Link: https://www.tesa.com/en-gb/industry/tesa-4289.html

That's exactly what I use.
I would say it's the same as Stan's No Tube Tape.

kubackje

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2025, 01:02:41 PM »
3M 8992 or equivalent polyester masking tape is the best. The kapton tape u sent is also great

pushpush

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2025, 03:16:19 PM »
I use 3M Polyester tape. I buy it from zoro.com. This is the best.

I have also bought and used this cheap tape from alix. It works but weighs more and has less stretch than the 3M tape. Differences are minimal, to be sure, but the differences do exist. Considering how infrequently I tape wheels and how little tape is required, I see no reason to buy anything other than the legit 3M tape.

3M Tape
https://www.zoro.com/3m-polyester-tape-125-x-72-yd-8992/i/G5352588/?q=G5352588

Generic Tape
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801108525638.html

t-cozzi

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2025, 05:34:53 PM »
How do you cut the 3M tape to the proper widths?  Thanks in advance.

pushpush

Re: Tubeless tape alternative
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2025, 09:11:38 PM »
How do you cut the 3M tape to the proper widths?  Thanks in advance.

The answer is easier than you think. You buy it in the correct widths that you need. :)