Rocky's New Bike Day!

It sure was rim tape. And the tape I bought, too wide. Dang.

 

So... The rim was taped? That's pretty cool...

 

No not for tubeless use. I goofed.

 

To avoid confusion - what you had pre-installed on the wheel is called a rim strip. What you need for tubeless is rim tape. I'd go with the Gorilla Tape as has been recommended. 1" wide should work perfectly.

 

What the heck is that even for? I just got back from wm, got the 1" strip and isopropyl alcohol. 2 days of store trips for $2 items, my favorite.

 

Or... If you bought the wide stuff that I always get, it's easy to rip it to the correct width. My wife laughed the last time I taped one. I figured out the width I needed, and then secured one end to our kitchen counter, stretched it out, and ripped it slowly...

Once you get it, you'll be amazed at how easy it is. And amazed that a bike shop can charge $60 (or more) to do it!

 

The rim strip is to protect a tube from getting holed by the sharp edges left on the holes in the rim for spoke access. Rim tape will do that too, and as an added bonus will seal the rim so you can go tubeless.

 

@-ROCKY-

ask him how he knows.

 

How did I know you were gonna go there????

 

Ok, that makes sense. I think I would've had it if I taped. We'll see...

 

Cmon cough it up, I'm feeling like a moron here!!! How do you know???

 

Okay, to save you from making the same boneheaded mistake....

I was on a Black Star - Motorway loop. Things were going great, having fun, getting schooled by @mtnbikej and @Faust29 when I sliced my tire. That happens in the Santa Anas.

I had, for a reason I no longer remember, removed the rim strip from my wheel. Jason was flummoxed. I just kinda said "no ****in way." I was basically midway through a 26 mile, 4,600 foot ride and as far from the vehicles in either direction as we could get.

Good way to lose a tube. I made it off the mountain, but learnt my lesson.

 

Even a sharp cat like @BonsaiNut could make that* mistake. I'm not that sharp, but I'm pretty sure I did it. Trying to erase that memory, methinks.

The go-for-it school of bike maintenance...usually it works out.


*Using a rim strip for tubeless tape

 

I forgot all about that! I do remember there was a little payback later on in the ride when I broke the chain and whacked my knee.

 

Lol, ok I feel better. I could've easily made that mistake also, now I know. The next beginner hopefully won't make the same mistakes.

 

Weren't you also running non EXO tires... On a Motorway ride? That's almost as bad as doing Palm Canyon with non EXO cross country tires.

 

https://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/black-star-motorway-loop.6247/

 

Shhhhh......

 

Yeah, that was it.

 

I just had a guy over on Tuesday hot-mopping my new shower pan. With an adequate initial coating of hot asphalt, the rim strip works great!

 

Lol! I think I could've been in there with a little more sealant!

 

This has GOT to be the longest New Bike Day thread in the history of imtbtrails! Way to go @-ROCKY- J Squirrel!

 

Bullwinkle's sidekick (or was Bullwinkle Rocky's sidekick?) ain't got nothin' on him.

 

Watch me pull a Rabbit out of my hat!


We should rename this thread the -ROCKY- Project!

 

Awesome! Thanks @Mikie !!! My dad loves Rocky and Bullwinkle. When I was younger I wondered if I was named after a flying cartoon squirrel. This thread is going to keep going cause I got lots of questions!!

 

@-ROCKY- just a heads up....there are threads specific to most of those questions. We really don't mind this being the longest new bike thread ever, but check out the "Shop Talk" thread - lots of useful info there and it may answer many of your questions before you ask them.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from asking - just check out the rest of the site first.

 

Got it!

 

With his stoke and eagerness to learn and listen I predict @-ROCKY- is gonna be schooling us all in about 6 months or so.

Keep up the good work Rocky.

 

Thanks Tom!!! Maybe not schooling. How about a great contributor, in the area of tubeless tires.

 

Heh, one last question while on the subject of wheels and tires. I will end up buying another set of wheels. If I buy used, what do I need to consider to make sure they interchange easily with what I have now. I think I read the front disc has to be the same size, I'm guessing the rear cassette the same? Anything else?