How To Tape A Tubeless Rim The Easy Way // Step By Step Guide

We wanted to make a short video highlighting some tips and tricks on how to install air tight tubeless rim tape on a mountain bike or road bike wheel. We also go over the difference between proper mtb tubeless tape and gorilla tape. We hope this helps you out on your next tubeless tape install!
▶ If you enjoy our channel and want to support it there are a few different ways you can help out below 😊
#1 Join Our Patreon - / ridemtb
Our Patreon is a place where we like to communicate with our community one on one, brainstorm new video ideas, and do monthly hang outs! Being a Patron can also unlock some exclusive discounts so you could save money and support us at the same time!
#2 We have some links to our favorite products listed below. Using our link doesn't cost you any money at all but it really helps us out with a small commission of around 5% :) Also if you shop on amazon and use this link ( amzn.to/40KYqV6 ) before purchasing anything it will give us a small commision on the sale without costing you anything. This works on all items and categories, not just bike stuff!
Thank you guys for everything! We are so glad to have you as part of our crew!
Kyle & April
www.ridemtb.com/
▶ Most Common Equipment Questions We Get:
● Bikes we use - ( Fezzari Delano, La Sal, Timp ) - bit.ly/44gAlsb
● Helmets we use - ( Jackal & Coyote ) - jenson.sjv.io/g1POLr
● Kyle’s riding gear - www.tasco-mtb.com/
● April’s riding gear - jenson.sjv.io/vn2QQN
● Shoes we use - ( Vice & Tallac ) - jenson.sjv.io/jWja9P
● Our favorite chain lube ( Chain Pro ) - jenson.sjv.io/BXKRWy
● Handlebar we use - ( PNW Range 31.8mm ) - jenson.sjv.io/eK1PnQ
● Dropper Seat post - ( Loam & Rainier ) - jenson.sjv.io/9gLaVj
● Kyle’s clipless pedals - ( Mallet Trail, DH, & Enduro ) - jenson.sjv.io/6ey5Gb
● April’s flat pedals - ( Range Composite Pedal ) - jenson.sjv.io/vNPq2y
● Tubeless sealant - ( Stans race for events / Standard for day to day riding) jenson.sjv.io/y2qQrb
● Wheelsets - ( Stans Mk4 Flow Wheels ) - jenson.sjv.io/75akbd
● Drivetrain - ( Shimano SLX / XT / XTR ) - jenson.sjv.io/5g5Pj3
● Favorite riding backpack - ( Camelbak Chase Pak ) - jenson.sjv.io/0ZQ91V
● Kneepads we use - jenson.sjv.io/Wqy36G
● Feedback bike stand - jenson.sjv.io/2rKyMG
● Feedback Repair Stand - ( Normal & Light Ebikes ) - jenson.sjv.io/JzKyq7
● Feedback Repair Stand - ( Heavy E Bikes / Shop Use ) - jenson.sjv.io/XYm31b
● Our Favorite Starter Tool Kit - ( Travel & Home ) - bit.ly/40Ve8No
● Favorite Front Tire - Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Trail - jenson.sjv.io/21a9Wg
● Favorite Rear Tire - Nobby Nic Super Trail - jenson.sjv.io/daOj7q
● Our Favorite Lock On Grip - PNW Loam Grip - jenson.sjv.io/4edQZ3
● Our Favorite Seat - Ergon Saddle - SMC Mountain - jenson.sjv.io/4PGjrM
▶ All of our Pov, Video, and Audio Equipment - www.ridemtb.com/gear
▶ Huge thanks to our channel partners for helping us keep these videos ad free during the middle of the video!
● Jenson USA - jenson.sjv.io/P0aaRQ
● Fezzari Bikes - fezzari.com
● Project Filter, Idaho fights Tobacco - bit.ly/3gq4hdv
● SR Suntour - Suspension - bit.ly/3w84b0L
● Stan’s No Tubes - Wheels and Sealant - bit.ly/3x33JRg
● Schwalbe Tires - bit.ly/3itSzRJ
● PNW Components- Handlebar, Stem, Grips, Dropper Post - jenson.sjv.io/9gLaVj
● Ergon - Saddles - bit.ly/2SnpsEL
● Apparel and Protection - bit.ly/34IqcqM bit.ly/355BaH2
● Ride Concepts - Shoes - bit.ly/3gBuJRx
● Shimano - Brakes and Drivetrain - bit.ly/3pfvPGa
● Onnit - Supplements and Snacks - bit.ly/3x6E1vi
0:00 Intro
0:17 Overview & Supplies Needed
0:41 Tubeless Tape Vs Gorilla Tape
1:40 Cleaning The Rim With Alcohol
2:00 Where To Start The Rim Tape
2:18 Pulling Tension On The Tape
2:28 Aligning Rim Tape
2:39 Working Around The Wheel
2:47 Where To Finish The Tape / Overlap
3:04 Cutting The Tape
3:21 Rim Bead Channel
3:41 Heating Up & Pressing Down Tape
4:06 Installing Valve Without Shattering Tape
4:57 Wheel Is Ready For Tire!
5:28 Overview & Outro
MB01KNXKXCO8AIR

[@jonathanstone2754]

Such a relief to hear I've been wasting my time pressing the tape into the channel as I go around the first time, while stressing about getting all the bubbles out. This looks way easier, definitely doing it this way with the heat gun next time. Thanks for the tips!

[@JaredRMorgan]

Probably the cleanest tape job I’ve ever seen.

[@kwarnermtb]

Thanks Jared!

[@Baureo]

use TESA 4289 tape, which is basically Stan's No Tubes rim tape, but for 15-20$ you get about 216 feet worth in almost any width instead of the 30' from Stan's.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Tesa packing tape has some stretch to it? That is surprising it stretches at all. I will try it if I can find it in 28mm wide.

[@MB-jz3uu]

My favorite method takes some time but what I'll do after I lay the tape down without any big wrinkles. I'll then mount the tire and throw a tube in there. The tube will make sure that the tape is perfectly seated to the rim because it'll push up against the tape. I usually pump it up high to like 40 psi too. You then wait a morning or afternoon and let it sit for a couple hours. You take out the tube, put in your tubeless valve and then you got perfectly laid down tape.

[@mtbmonk7076]

I really like the heat gun technique

[@theryanoutdoors]

Soo rad seeing you guys uploading videos consistently again! Great video, very useful. Excited to see more videos this summer!!

[@kwarnermtb]

Thanks Ryan! We have been having fun doing more videos lately! Yeah this summer should be really fun :)

[@gammelgemse]

Great tutorial! 👍

[@alainbergeron1675]

From Montreal Canada! Hello Kyle and April, love the idea of the "how to video's"! Love the content.

[@kwarnermtb]

Thank you!

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Excellent Video 😎 Thanks

[@kwarnermtb]

No problem! Thanks for watching Darrin!

[@64chrisg]

great tips. never thought about using the heat gun. great idea! always spent so much time pressing the tape into the channel.

[@kwarnermtb]

Thanks Chris! Glad it was helpful!

[@mikeburton8426]

I use the heat gun while I am wrapping the tape around the rim, it sits in the channel nicely. Regardless of the approach, I think the heat gun is the real secret to a good installation

[@dubblearr7622]

I use one of my kids toy cars and roll it on the inner edges. Works great. Kyle Strait showed me that hack- he deserves the credit. 👍🏼

[@kwarnermtb]

Haha that is epic!

[@marmo1826]

As an extra bit of info: - some tubeless tapes are really thin and elastic and need a couple of passes on the rim for extra safety, as one pass is not enough, because the tape punctures over the nipple holes ... especially if you do gravel or road tires, as the pressure is higher than normal large volume mtb tires. or if the rim is of lower quality and has burrs on the edges of the holes ... pressure from the tire forces the tape in the nipple holes, and the burrs and sharp edges cut the tape with time. seen this quite a lot in the shop ... - sometimes it helps to add a patch of duck tape (or the provided stickers if available - zefal and muc-off are 2 that i know provide with tape such stickers) where the tubeless tape ends and overlaps the previous layer, as tubeless solution can creep between the layers ... this is especially problematic if the overlap is really short, as it creeps all the way to the valve and past, and it gets in the rim and trashes aluminum nipples ... or air can leak slowly and you have no clue why this is happening. this happened to me a few years back when i started doing tubeless ... slime went though the tape layers and ended up in the rim, causing 3 nipples to completely corrode and break after only 4 months ... the rest were better, but i ended up relacing the wheel and changing all the nipples to brass 😆 Small tip: spraying the nipples on the inside of the rim with wd40 (very light application), and wiping the rim with brake cleaner or iso alcohol so the tape sticks to it, can prolong the life of the alloy nipples and prevent corrosion in case tubeless solution/water gets into the rim. If you wanna dew it like a pro, get some car body panel anti corrosion/rust solution from a gas station or hardware store, and with a small brush apply it on the head of every alloy nipple. that stuff hardens and forms a layer on the nipples that never washes away. some are actually ready to spray over after 24 hours ... and you can true the wheel no issues what so ever if the need may arise. you will never have an issue with corroded/stuck nipples 👍

[@kwarnermtb]

Great tips! Thanks Marmo!

[@JasonFoxLCB]

Never seen the heat gun tip -- very nice. My tape jobs work, but they haven't been pretty.

[@kwarnermtb]

Thanks Jason! Yeah heat gun is key to get the tape to last a really long time and help it stay put! Thanks for watching man!

[@mtbboy1993]

Using a rag or towel makes taping much easier, just run it over the tape as you tape it, tun thumb at the rim channel with the towel, I use a microfiber towel or a old t shirt both will work. Using bare finger won't work smoothly. But using osethibg from fabric will allow smooth and easy work. I also do it to the edges too to make sure whole tpae sits. I used this method on the same tape used here. No heat gun needed. I think Stan's video showed that method. The tape seems to be strong, but first time trying it I had a roll that had uneven cut gape at the start, it tore too. But it's tear resistant, so I think the tears were due to uneven cut from a machine at factory. Not tried second roll. Buy using a towel is needed to install it easily. Adhisive seems good. Strength seems good, but if bubbles it will burst and tear. I had a second hand wheelset come with it ran it to test bubbles burst. So it's important to use the towel or rag on the tape.

[@jagoss45]

I like the heat gun technique.

[@Migsfigs]

That's as solid as it gets right der

[@bike314]

One thing I found is that putting a tube in can help press the tape down nice and flush. I'm not sure if it's 100% necessary as you talked about how the air pressure will help. But if you have slightly leaky tape I think it can resolve that

[@kwarnermtb]

That’s also a great tip! There a a lot of good ways to get it done and we really just wanted to make a video that helped people feel a little less scared haha

[@slide_drexler]

The first time i saw a video on this channel i thought someone was ripping off kyle and april. 😂

[@kwarnermtb]

Haha how dare us!

[@kingcardbeard1471]

Heating and stretching into a shallow channel might help. Try some WTB sti rims. Who designed these monstrousities as tubeless rims?

[@sAmiZZle82]

I've read you should use tape a few mm wider than your internal rim diameter, but looking at yours the finished job looks perfect so now I'm confused haha

[@chasefam3]

Thanks for the video. Any tricks to setting the bead of the tire on the wheel? I have issues with a certain brand of tire sometimes. I think it’s a brand you’re familiar with. 🤔

[@kwarnermtb]

Hey! Yeah are you saying you are having issues installing the tire bead or when its airing up its not seating properly?

[@chasefam3]

Installing the tire bead. Hard to get a seal for the tire to inflate.

[@nigelbradley613]

Is it possible to fix/patch a hole in the rim tape without replacing or taping over the whole tape?

[@kaneda4102]

Best tip I had was to put the valve opposite side to where you start.

[@MrBoldor62]

Is it normal to have air leak through a little hole on side of rim when you first inflate the tire?

[@JT-MTB]

I’ve seen some people go around the rim twice for two full layers. Is this necessary or does one layer suffice?

[@Ironghost88]

What wheel stand is that? I’m seems like it makes it a lot easier to put it on evenly.

[@kwarnermtb]

Hey Jeff! This is the Feedback sports truing stand. Its a single armed truing stand that works pretty well for wheel touchups and even tire installs! jenson.sjv.io/Or1GeW

[@dtroyan123]

@@kwarnermtb Any good tricks to doing this without a wheel stand? Can you do it mounted on a bike flipped upside down?

[@diabsoul]

I used electrical tape for years on narrower rims....annnnd just replaced all my corroded spokes whoops

[@valeo29]

The Stans tape I have sucks. It doesn't stick, and it cracks. It stays loose, has air bubbles regardless of how hard I try to stretch it. It's quite frustrating. I'm about to try duct tape. If Gorilla tape works why wouldn't Duct tape.

[@sAmiZZle82]

Helps if it is warm

[@charlesmansplaining]

I bought a 10yrd roll of rim tape at the TREK store yesterday and they charged me $25. Then I saw it on Amazon for under $13. Any wonder bike shops are struggling. I wish I would have saw it first on Amazon. I'm done buying anything in a bike shop.

[@rsoul7282]

It’s worth supporting your local bike shops mate, if they aren’t there, and you need warranty work or repairs you don’t want to do yourself, can’t exactly order those services from Amazon. Plus you are keeping money in your local community, not in the hands of a multinational corporation.

[@charlesmansplaining]

@@rsoul7282 It's a TREK Store, how's that profit staying in my local community? Those people that work in that store aren't even really that accommodating. I wanted Stan's rim tape. They should sell it since it's one of the more popular brands that I know and trust. My bikes are from custom builders in the US so I have warranty coverage if I ever need it.

[@flyingnorseman]

Theres not much about working on bikes I dislike but re-taping a tubeless wheel is near the top. Every time you mess it up you get rewarded with crawling across the garage on your knees wiping up expensive sealant fluid and then throwing out the bulk of your shop rags.

[@user-qo5nz3qb6j]

Sorry. But this is all wrong! The easiest way that do this is simply don't remove the wheels as it's totally unnecessary. Just do this on a bike repair stand and once the types are pulled over the far side of the rims, cut the inner tubes off with scissors. Install the valves and air test the tyres. Once done, the pins from the valve cores can be removed and tubeless sealant inserted through the valves. That's the easiest mess free way

[@VQ30TLJ]

How do you apply the rim tape, then? You can't install rim tape with the tire on.

[@user-qo5nz3qb6j]

@@VQ30TLJ Most tyre rims have tape already applied. But to answer your question. You can apply rim tape without removing the wheel from the bike. Place the bike upside down and use a tyre lever and place the tyre over the rim. Most bikes have plenty of clearance to allow this. Removing the wheel completely is unnecessary

[@VQ30TLJ]

@@user-qo5nz3qb6j It sounds like you are talking about the traditional rim strips or tape used to protect tubes from spoke holes. That is entirely different from tape designed to create an airtight seal. It requires a lot more care to apply properly.