How to centre rim tape?

[Allyc85]

The rim tape on my Specialized Rockhopper's rear wheels is off centre in a couple places (In one spot to the left then the other side to the right!) so I was wondering if there were any tips for getting it centred, or will it require new tape? I've tried running a flat bladed screw driver around the inside of the wheel, but that doesn't really seem to work.

Cheers.

[shouldbworking]

Unless it's failing to cover the spoke holes, which seems unlikely, I would suggest not caring

[MorganP104]

shouldbworking said:

Unless it's failing to cover the spoke holes, which seems unlikely, I would suggest not caring

This.

Unless spoke holes are exposed to the innertube, or the wheel is spinning out of balance, just leave it.

[Allyc85]

Fair enough. I've been having trouble getting a Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyre to sit correctly on the rim and wondered if this was the cause? I've tried over inflating the tyre which has helped, but it's never quite right.

[Paul Drawmer]

From wikipedia page


Clincher cross section schematic with
1: rim,
2: rim strip,
3: rim braking surface,
4: bead core,
5: inner tube,
6: casing,
7: tread

The tyre beads are much further up the rim sides than the rim tape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_tire

Edited by Paul Drawmer on Sunday 3rd December 17:29

[Paul Drawmer]

Not trying to tell you something you may already know; but with just enough pressure in the tyre to make this a positive effort, work round the rim one side at a time pressing hard at the point marked as 5. You should be able to push the tyre in enough to see the rim tape, this will ensure that the tube isn't pinched and enable the bead to come back up and hook in under the rim. You will be able to feel the tube sorting itself out as you do this.

[shouldbworking]

Large volume tyres, especially Schwalbe ones in my experience tend to have a fair old amount of wobble in their casings - certainly with mine it's been enough to make people I've been riding with think the wheel was out of true.

[Herman Toothrot]

Tubeless rims and not enough pressure to seat the rim? Modern MTB tyres will probably need to hit 40/45 psi to seat on a tubeless rim before pressure is reduced for riding.

[gazza285]

Paul Drawmer said:

From wikipedia page


Clincher cross section schematic with
1: rim,
2: rim strip,
3: rim braking surface,
4: bead core,
5: inner tube,
6: casing,
7: tread

The tyre beads are much further up the rim sides than the rim tape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_tire