When you consider the new paradigm of electronic shifting, inner tubes, rim tape and flats seem so primitive.

A wheel, standing perfectly inflated for days, idly sitting in the garage, suddenly went flat overnight.  It was a wheel I’ve used for months to pressure test patched tubes.  Apparently, the repetitive replacement of tubes pushed the tape aside and exposed some spoke holes.

The shifted tape in this picture caused the flat.  The puncture in the tube lined up perfectly with an exposed spoke hole.

If you have a wheel that seems to get elusive flats, check the rim tape.

Plastic rim tape has gained popularity over cloth tape, but many riders still swear by cloth.  Plastic tape is one continuous circular strip and fits snugly around the rim.  For the uninitiated, it can can be tricky to get the valve hole lined up.

Cloth tape  is one long strip with a sticky adhesive back.  When applying new tape, position the hole in the tape over the valve hole in the rim and pull it snugly around the rim cavity until the ends overlap.

Plastic tape can become brittle and cloth tape will shift as both age.  I think cloth tape is easier to remove and apply.  I prefer cloth tape but I’ve had more trouble over the years with cloth than plastic.  Cloth tape is simply easier to roll on and take off.  I’ve not seen plastic get brittle to the point of failure, but perhaps in less temperate climates plastic may be prone to getting brittle.

Be Sticky Animaux!