Hairy Posted August 2, 2012 Share Off the Pink Bike Site .... so who knows where to get Gorilla Tape in SA? http://www.pinkbike....Conversion.html I was faced with a dilemma recently when Syntace sent me their new XC wheelset with super-wide 35-millimeter ID rims. I wanted to convert them immediately to tubeless for the review, but the widest Stans No-Tubes kits I had in my personal stash would not span the monster rims. Help came from an unusual source. The CEO of One of the world's most prestigious carbon wheel makers mentioned that they tested a number of wheel sealing tapes and discovered that over-the-counter Gorilla Tape performed better than anything they found. The wheel maker ships its tubeless wheels with Gorilla Tape - albeit, custom cut and rolled to exact specifications - but Gorilla Tape nonetheless. I had heard the same tip from Pinkbike readers, so I bought a roll and the stuff worked beautifully. So here it is, another Ghetto Tech Tuesday.Photos by Lucas Aguilera What you'll need: One roll of Gorilla Tape (Hey Cheapskate! Don't substitute any other brand.), a pen, a box knife with a brand new blade, tubeless valve stems (we used American Classics), your favorite wheels, and a measuring device. Tip: A roll of Stans No-Tubes tape is designed to fit standard-width rims perfectly and is a tried and true tubeless conversion. Use a Stan's kit unless you are short on cash or need a custom tubeless conversion. That said, a roll of Gorilla Tape costs about ten bucks US and will seal a lot of rims - and there is always Ghetto tubeless bragging rights to consider. Danger! When you are working with razor-sharp knives, like the box-knife depicted in this how-to, take extra safety precautions. Move the knife slowly and deliberately and work away from your opposite hand or body when possible. How to Convert Your Wheels to Tubeless With Gorilla Tape http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465537/p4pb8465537.jpgStep 1 - Clean the rims and then measure the width of the rim, outside to outside. This is how wide your sealing tape will need to be sized in order to span the ID of the rim surface and seal correctly. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465538/p4pb8465538.jpgStep 2 - Measure the width you will need and then mark the tape with a pen. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465539/p4pb8465539.jpgStep 3 - Brace the pen with your hand against a table so that the tip lines up with the mark on the tape and then spin the tape roll to mark the entire circumference. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465542/p4pb8465542.jpgStep 4 - Find a New York Times Best Seller or piece of wood that will space the box knife blade to the line on the tape. Hold the knife securely and slide it across the book about an inch at a time to slice the tape to the proper width. Go around two or three times to ensure that you cut deep enough to provide enough length to get around the rim. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465543/p4pb8465543.jpgStep 5 - Line up the end of the tape about two inches beyond the valve stem hole and begin taping the rim. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465545/p4pb8465545.jpgStep 6 - Stretch the tape from the roll and use a subtle side to side motion to encourage the edges of the tape to settle evenly below the rim beads. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465546/p4pb8465546.jpgStep 7 - Overlap the tape about three inches over the valve stem hole. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465548/p4pb8465548.jpgStep 8 - Use your fingertips to smooth the edges of the tape below the rim beads. Then push the tape down to adhere it to the center of the rim. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465549/p4pb8465549.jpgStep 9 - Use tip of box knife to cut an X through the tape at the valve stem hole. http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8465550/p4pb8465550.jpgStep 10 - Insert valve stem and hand tighten the stem nut to a secure, snug fit. Repeat the steps for the next rim and you are gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoman Posted August 2, 2012 Share haha, hows that book title in step 4! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W3RN3R Posted August 2, 2012 Share Love step No:4 Excellent choice of reading material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W3RN3R Posted August 2, 2012 Share Don't mis step 1 as well. "LOOK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pants Boy Posted August 2, 2012 Share Saw some at a Builders Warehouse I think - otherwise http://www.bestglue.co.za/p/212134/6100104--gorilla-tape-handy-roll-9m-x-254mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted August 2, 2012 Share Just use plain old insulation tape !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted August 2, 2012 Share Just use plain old insulation tape !!!! Used this before and the sealant gets in there somehow and gets under the tape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted August 2, 2012 Share Been riding with insulation tape we had to use at S2C in 2010 . Did not even replace it when I put new tyre . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted August 2, 2012 Share Been riding with insulation tape we had to use at S2C in 2010 . Did not even replace it when I put new tyre . Nice, maybe I just used a cheaper type of insulation tape as I do believe there is insulation tape and then INSULATION TAPE ... the latter being thicker and more elastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoman Posted August 2, 2012 Share Nice, maybe I just used a cheaper type of insulation tape as I do believe there is insulation tape and then INSULATION TAPE ... the latter being thicker and more elastic.Nitto being the better quality in my opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azonic Posted August 2, 2012 Share I'm sure a stroll through Builder's Warehouse will turn up 10 types of tape that will work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azonic Posted August 2, 2012 Share ...and insulation tape does work for a while, IF you have it underneath your regular Stans strips, instead of the overprices Stan's tape. But yes, eventually insulation tape does either let go, or it climbs into the spoke holes or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeless Posted August 2, 2012 Share Is Gorilla tape the same as Duct tape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebel Posted August 2, 2012 Share Apparently this stuff also works well: Filament Tape: http://www.waltons.co.za/Images/Products/400x400/07601800_400x400_72.jpg http://www.bond-tape.com/images/filament.jpg R40 for 50m from Waltons. Saw it used on a Ghetto conversion somewhere but I can't find the link... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Posted August 2, 2012 Share you can also use that 3m tape that is clear and has those fiberglass stripps in them. get it from builders warehouse , works great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Posted August 2, 2012 Share Grebel , you beat me too it , but yes thats the one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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