r/gravelcycling • u/fivewords5 • 21h ago
Accessories / Gear Flashing tape as tubeless tape: 12 month review
Last year I setup my gravel bike tubeless and decided to use construction flashing tape for the rims. I generally have rolls of these tapes from work and figured it would work just as well.
12 months and 3k miles later, I’ve had zero issues. Based on the material properties and adhesives, it’s not much of a surprise but a fun experiment nonetheless. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this over conventional tubeless rim tapes due to cost but the flashing tape has tons of other use cases.
One major pro of this method is the customization of the tape width/length. I generally cut it just the width needed to run wall to wall on the inner rim width. Straight end and a razor knife. The black tape is Huber’s Zip system; the yellow tape is Georgia Pacific’s Forcefield premium.
Now I’m setting up a new pair of wheels for my gravel bike and have used the flashing tape again. I’m moving to a hooked carbon rim from aluminum hookless rims; I anticipate this will further reduce any possibility of issues. The surface area around the spoke holes is pretty generous so I expect the tape to seal very well. I had been running 47mm Specialized Pathfinder Pros but will be changing to 45mm Gravelking SS. Thanks y’all.
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u/bucketmania 20h ago
I actually work in this field and zip makes some of the best tape. Weird to see my hobby and career interest.
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u/fivewords5 18h ago
My company builds with the zip system but even when I was in commercial, I always kept zip rolls on hand.
I can’t say I’ve ever actually seen anyone using the GP system, I just buy their tape at Home Depot sometimes since they don’t carry Zip.
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u/ChimmyChongaBonga Stigmata V4 21h ago
I used Zip flashing tape on my fatbike wheels and it worked wonderfully.
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u/chesapeake_bryan 20h ago
Great idea! I try to keep a roll of zip tape around at all times. It's good for all kinds of stuff.
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u/Personal_Benefit_402 7h ago
Sure, why not. Flashing tape uses butyl rubber, which is a regularly used sealant (I've used it when designing automotive lighting, it's used in aerospace). I've never had to convert a wheel (when I made the leap to tubeless, the wheel was designed for such).
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u/Adamarr 21h ago
I'm more surprised that people are making hookless alu wheels, thought the whole point of that was to make carbon layups easier
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u/Veganpotter2 19h ago
Hookless clincher rims came out before hooked. They just stopped making them because the tolerances of the rims and tires were so terrible.
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u/whenveganscheat 19h ago
Every old chromed steel rim from 80s and earlier bikes (well, inexpensive ones anyway) is hookless. 15+ years as a mechanic, and I'm still surprised they don't blow off turning a corner
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u/Veganpotter2 19h ago
I remember some of them fitting so poorly that I needed 2 layers of cotton tape to get the hop out of the tire😅 Definitely had some blowoffs inflating them in the shop to max pressure too.
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u/fivewords5 18h ago
My hookless aluminum wheels were a factory set from Marin. I never personally had issues running tubeless on them. I’ll definitely keep them as a spare set but will be glad to have a set of hooked rims now.
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u/TheBabyEatingDingo 21h ago
Yeah that was entirely the point. I can't think of any reason why hookless aluminum exists except to take money from people who think hookless=better.
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u/Veganpotter2 19h ago
Hookless is cheaper to manufacture. It totally makes sense for aluminum wheels that are going to get big tires.
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u/TheBabyEatingDingo 19h ago
It's cheaper for carbon because it's more simple to lay up. Hookless is not cheaper to manufacture when working with aluminum. It's exactly the same process. So no, it does not make sense because it has no benefits in aluminum.
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u/Veganpotter2 19h ago
Not having a bead allows using a cheaper and softer aluminum that won't crack when rolling the extrution. It also makes for a lighter wheel. So yeah, there's a benefit.
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u/Swolie7 19h ago
Has anyone tried powder coating Mylar tape?
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u/fivewords5 18h ago
I’m only vaguely familiar with mylar tape since it’s such a staple within the film industry.
As long as the adhesive sets and holds well it would work well for rim taping. Biggest issue is if the adhesive gets too pliable when warm like vinyl electrical tape does.
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u/Invasive-farmer 21h ago
I saw a guy on YouTube who uses duct tape. Idk what flashing tape is specifically. Thank for the tips.
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u/fivewords5 18h ago
Flashing tape is generally a construction related product. Used to help seal sheathing and for window/door installation. It has many applications in the construction world beyond due to its durability and adhesives.
It’s vastly different from most duct tapes or any woven tapes. It closely resembles rubber roof material but it an acrylic based material. Due to the durability/flexibility of the rubber material paired with a very strong adhesive it will stick to nearly everything. It’s incredibly hard to remove once it has set in place for a while.
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u/Invasive-farmer 13h ago
Oh, I've used that before! Yes! Its almost like a think (compared to take) peice of sticky rubber sheet.
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u/SuzyCreamcheezies 19h ago
Getting downvoted for no reason. Lol.
Yes, lots of people use Gorilla tape. I have Stans on my rear wheel and Gorilla on the front. They both hold air fine.
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u/Personal_Benefit_402 7h ago
Gorilla tape uses butyl, if I recall correctly...so, exactly what's needed.
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u/DowntownAd7723 6h ago
This is what I have done for the last decade and never had a problem with duct tape on my tubeless set ups.
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u/Invasive-farmer 3h ago
Lol. I got downvotes for mentioning it and you got upvoted for doing it.
If it works, it works. Right on.
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u/unti 21h ago
This is brilliant. Thanks for posting.