Tubeless Tape Types and How to Choose

Modified at: Jun 28, 2023

Posted at: Mar 27, 2023

A guide to tubeless tapes for tubeless-ready wheels, including how to choose the right tape for your wheels and a comparison of major brands.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on cyclabo. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Table of contents

Sponsored Link

What is Tubeless Tape?

Tubeless tape is a special tape applied to the rim of a tubeless wheel to prevent air leaks between the rim and the tire.

It is similar to the rim tape used for conventional clincher tires, in that it adheres to the rim. However, because the purpose is different, a dedicated tubeless tape is required when using tubeless-ready tires.

Some brands, such as Mavic, offer tape-less, tubeless-ready wheels that do not have spoke holes in the rim. In this case, you can run tubeless tires without the need for tubeless tape.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tubeless Tape

Tubeless tape is essential for most wheels, so there are not many specific advantages to mention.

The disadvantages include issues like “air leakage depending on how it’s applied,” “compatibility with rims,” and “high cost.” These can be seen as disadvantages not just of the tubeless tape itself, but also of the tubeless-ready system as a whole.

Types and Price Range of Tubeless Tape

The two primary factors for tubeless tape are its width and length.

The width of tubeless tape corresponds to the width needed for application, and is typically available in sizes ranging from 17mm to 32mm, in 2mm increments, to match various rim sizes.

The length of the tape varies by manufacturer, but typical offerings are around 8m or 10m. The wider and longer the tape, the more surface area it covers, and consequently, the price tends to increase.

A narrower tubeless tape can be purchased for around 1,000 yen, which is similar to the cost of regular rim tape, but wider tubeless tapes (over 30mm) typically cost over 3,000 yen.

Tubeless tape is generally made from materials like polyethylene, but some manufacturers may not disclose the specific material used. As a result, choosing based on the material of the tape is not a major factor for most consumers.

How to Choose Tubeless Tape

Choosing the Width

When selecting tubeless tape, it’s best to start by considering the recommended size for the wheel or rim you are using, as specified by the manufacturer.

Major wheel manufacturers like Shimano and Mavic typically provide details on the optimal width of tubeless tape for their wheels in their manuals or websites. It’s advisable to follow these recommendations.

If the current tubeless tape installed on your wheel is OEM (original equipment), you can remove it and measure the width to find the correct size.

If Unsure, Use the Rim’s Outer Width as a Guide

In cases where rim information is not available or when converting a tubeless-compatible wheel to tubeless, it may be unclear which tubeless tape is the correct size.

In such cases, it is generally recommended to select a tubeless tape width that is either 1–2mm wider than the rim’s inner width, or approximately the same as the rim’s outer width.

The reason for this is that when applying tubeless tape, it should cover not only the bottom surface of the rim but also slightly overlap the rim’s sidewalls. Therefore, a width of around 1–2mm wider than the inner width is necessary. If the tape width is too narrow and matches the inner rim width exactly, it could cause air leaks due to slight misalignment or bending during application, depending on the rim’s shape.

If the inner width is unknown, selecting a width that is close to the rim’s outer width should be sufficient, as it will cover the sidewalls.

Choosing the Length

Once you know your wheel size, you can determine the required length of the tape.

For a 700C wheel, the rim should follow the 622C standard, so the length of tape needed for one wheel is calculated as 622mm x 3.14 = 1,953mm, which is approximately 2m. Therefore, a 10m tubeless tape will cover 5 wheels, and an 8m tubeless tape will cover 4 wheels.

It’s common to make mistakes during the application process, but with 8m of tape, you should be able to cover both the front and rear wheels.

Some people may choose to apply a double layer of tape to reduce air leakage, but even with a single layer, one set of tape will be enough for both front and rear wheels.

Other Points to Check

Check Reviews

Tubeless tape varies in terms of hardness, adhesive strength, and other characteristics across different products, but these qualities can’t always be determined from the product specifications.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to check user reviews on online stores to get an idea of the tape’s hardness, ease of application, and adhesive power before purchasing. This can help you avoid mistakes and ensure a better experience.

Is It Best to Match with the Tire Manufacturer?

Many manufacturers of tubeless tape are also bicycle tire manufacturers, so it might seem ideal to match the tape with the tire brand. However, since tubeless tape is applied to the rim, it’s generally not necessary to match it with the tire.

The best approach is to match the tubeless tape with the rim rather than the tire.

Tubeless Tape Brands and Product Lineups

Product Manufacturer Width Options
Stan’s Rim Tape STAN’S NOTUNES 21mm, 25mm, 27mm, 30mm, 33mm, 39mm
Tubeless Rim Tape Schwalbe 19mm, 21mm, 23mm, 25mm, 27mm, 29mm
EASY TAPE Tubeless Rim Tape Continental 23mm
Tubeless Ready Rim Tape DT SWISS 21mm, 23mm, 25mm, 27mm, 29mm, 32mm, 37mm, 42mm
Tubeless Tape (TLT-XX) Panaracer 19mm, 21mm, 23mm, 25mm, 27mm, 30mm
Caffélatex Tubeless Tape Effetto Mariposa 20.5mm, 25mm, 29mm, 34mm, 40mm, 45mm

The brands STAN’S NOTUNES, Schwalbe, and DT SWISS are most commonly available.

STAN’S NOTUNES and DT SWISS are known for their wide range of tape widths and high user ratings. Panaracer is a reliable Japanese brand offering great cost performance.

STAN’S NOTUNES

STAN’S NOTUNES, well-known for their sealant, also offers tubeless tape. Their tape range goes from 21mm to 39mm, making it suitable for both road and MTB wheels.

The price is standard, and it’s easy to find in sports bike stores and online, making it a staple choice for tubeless tape.

Schwalbe

Schwalbe, a popular tire and tube brand known for cost performance, offers tubeless tape at a slightly higher price point. Their tape range includes options for both road and MTB wheels.

Schwalbe products are widely available both in physical stores and online, making them easy to obtain at affordable prices.

DT SWISS

DT SWISS, a leading brand in wheel and rim manufacturing, also offers tubeless tape. While it’s designed for DT SWISS rims, it can be used with rims from other manufacturers as well.

Their wide range, from 21mm to 42mm, makes this tape suitable for road and wide MTB rims, although it is slightly more expensive.

Panaracer

Panaracer, a Japanese tire manufacturer, also offers tubeless tape.

Panaracer’s tape is cost-effective and widely available, but it mainly focuses on road tape widths, limiting options for MTB use.

Continental

Although Continental was a bit slow in expanding their tubeless tire lineup, they have a solid range of tubeless tape products.

Effetto Mariposa

Effetto Mariposa, a Swiss manufacturer known for producing tubeless valves and tubular tape, offers great cost-performance products. Despite their low prices, they maintain high quality, making them a well-regarded brand.

Effetto Mariposa’s tubeless tape can sometimes be found for under $10 during sales, making it the first choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option.

Sponsored Link

Easy and effective! Let's be concerned about tires!

Choosing the right tires for a rainy road bike ride

Road bikes are often used for riding in the rain. In this article, we summarize tire selection for riding in the rain on a road bike.

Tire Tubes: Types, Manufacturers, and Selection Tips

Tire tubes are consumable parts that are replaced relatively frequently on bicycles. We have compiled a list of tire tube types, manufacturers, and points to keep in mind when selecting a tire tube.

Properly Inflating Bicycle Tires: The Importance

Tire air maintenance is surprisingly often neglected, but in fact, it is only beneficial. In this issue, we summarize the importance of keeping tires well inflated and the precautions to take when inflating tires.

Road Bike Tires: Types and How to Enjoy Them

Changing tires can change the way you ride! We have compiled a list of different types of tires for road bikes, their respective characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and how changing tires can make road biking more enjoyable.

Changing Bicycle Tire Size and Thickness: 3 Key Points

Tire customization is a fun way to change the riding experience for a cost of about $100. When replacing tires, there are three points to keep in mind when changing the size and thickness of your bicycle tires.

Bicycle Tire Lifespan: Tips to Extend and Check for Wear

This section summarizes the life of a typical bicycle tire, how to check for wear and tear, and how to replace a tire. Also how to store tires to extend their life.

Road Bike Tire Names, Sizes, and Standards

There are many different types of tires for road bikes, including different size standards and types. In this issue, we summarize the key points you should know about road bike tires.

Advantages and disadvantages of clincher tires

Clincher tires are widely used on bicycles, from city bikes to road bikes and other sports bikes. The following is a summary of their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages of tubular tires

Tubular tires are the choice of users who are concerned about performance. In this issue, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of tubular tires and what kind of users they match.

Tubeless and Tubeless Ready Tires: Pros and Cons

Tubeless and tubeless ready tires are increasingly being adopted in the latest wheels. The following is a summary of the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each, and points to keep in mind when choosing.

TPU Inner Tube: Features, Pros, and Cons for Road Bikes and MTB

TPU inner tubes are gaining attention as the third force in bicycle tires. We summarize its features, advantages and disadvantages of using it on Road bikes and MTBs, and major manufacturers.

Tubeless Start Guide

Tubeless and Tubeless Ready Tires: Pros and Cons

Tubeless and tubeless ready tires are increasingly being adopted in the latest wheels. The following is a summary of the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each, and points to keep in mind when choosing.

Sealant for road bike and MTB tires: Pros, cons, and choosing guide

This section summarizes what sealants are for road bikes and MTBs, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to select sealants.

What is a tubeless valve? Types and How to Choose

The tubeless valve is an essential item for tubeless use. What is a tubeless valve, tubeless valve types, and how to select one are summarized below.

Perfect Guide: How to Raise Tubeless Tire Bead

Bead raising is an essential task with tubeless tires. However, there are times when it is easy to raise the bead, and other times when it does not raise at all despite your best efforts. In this issue, we will introduce a method to raise the bead of a tubeless tire that will not raise, considering the cause.

How to Handle Flat Tires with Tubeless and Tubeless-Ready Tires

Tubeless tires have seen a dramatic increase in the number of users over the past few years. Even with tubeless and tubeless ready tires, punctures cannot be reduced to zero. The following is a summary of the causes of punctures and how to deal with them.

Tubeless Booster and Air Pumps with Booster: Pros and Cons, how to choose

The booster simplifies bead raising, which is the most difficult part of tubeless installation. We have compiled a list of air pumps with booster(boost functions) that are reassuring to have one.

Mechanics New Posts