Rim Ribbons
About Rim Ribbons
Buying a new bike or their accessories can be bewildering for a novice. It feels as though, the folks working in the shops, almost seem to be speaking a different language. Which is why, we’ve got to ask ourselves questions to make sure we’re on the same page as them. Therefore, breaking down this language barrier is an important step in smart purchase. To that end, we’re going to elaborate on a bike part that plays a vital role in protecting your wheels – the rim ribbons! Here we give you the different types of rim tapes and rim strips and also a few useful tips on how to buy bike rim tape online in UAE effortlessly. So read on!
Let’s begin with defining the product itself. Rim ribbons or the rim tapes play a vital role in protecting your bicycle’s inner tubes. This essential bike part comes in plastic, adhesive cloth or rubber materials. Moreover, it’s available to you in an assortment of sizes to fit different wheels. Usually, you’ll get a starter rim strip when you purchase a new bicycle. However, you should check the condition of your rim tapes often. Replace them if you notice significant signs of wear. Remember, unless they wear out the rim strips are thick enough to offer your wheels a protective barrier. These barriers efficiently prevents flat tyres. But not all the rim ribbons offer your wheels the same kind of protection. Some are always better than the others. Which is why, we’re going to look at a few that you can consider buying.
The best bike rim ribbons to choose from
Manufacturers today are creative and innovative when developing bike parts . And the rim strips aren’t an exception. Fortunately, there’s one that suits every kind of bike. For instance, you’ll find rubber ones that are quiet easy to stretch. This model makes it easy for you to slide them into bike with bigger rims. Likewise, there are also simple, single wall rims, where you can screw the spoke nipples onto the rim interior. This way, the rim tape goes directly over the spoke nipples. For this type of rim ribbons you’ll only need to get cheap rubber tapes. That said, below we’ve compiled a few options that you can consider choosing from when you’re out searching for that perfect rim strip for bikes.
The Stan’s rim tape
The NoTubes yellow rim ribbon from Stan’s has become the basics for achieving a proper seal when you’re ‘converting’ rims to tubeless. And by standard, we mean non-UST rims with spoke holes that pierce the outer wall of the bike rim. That’s not it, with its premium quality construction it does make magic happen. When you apply them correctly it offers maximum durable seal. Better yet, it also protects the rim holes of your bicycles from filling up with a sealant. Above all, their 10-yard pack comes with plenty of tape for dialling in your hoops. In short, it’s the best tubular rim tape out there.
The Yosoo tyre protection inner tube-pad bicycle rim tape
If you’re looking for a higher degree of tyre protection then you can never go wrong with this bicycle rim ribbon from YoSoo. The product gives you a lot of reasons to include it in your bike arsenal. Firstly, the rim tape comes in great quality materials like PVC. This makes it water-resistant, wear-resistant, and low-weight. Further, it also has great anti-pressure capability. Secondly, it can help you block your wheel from nails, glass, thorns and other external harmful elements. Thirdly, they’re easy to install too. Better yet, they’re available to you in four distinct sizes that you can pick based on your needs.
The Firwood 1 pair mountain bike rim tape for fixed gear
You ought to provide your bike wheels a higher degree of protection when you’re out on an adventurous trip on the mountains. This best MTB rim tape from Firwood offers powerful puncture-protection for the tyre and tube. Further, it keeps the wheel in high-pressure and decreases resistance during running. Further, it facilitates an easy and safe driving experience in your journey. Apart from that, the product offers you four different sizes – 700C, 26 inch, 27.5 inch, and 29 inch for your needs. Indeed, it’s the best mountain bike rim strip on the market today.
The rim tape alternatives – the gorilla tape tubeless
Quiet often the mountain bikers also prefer gorilla tapes due to its high-quality. It withstands high-pressure in the tyres. Besides, they’re affordable and having them in your backpack come in handy in case of a flat tyre change. Better yet, you can easily stick these tapes and they also prevent any air leaks. However, like any other bike product, these rim ribbons also have their fair share of disadvantage. The only issue is the friction that can occur on the tyre. However, the high-pressure on the tyre the gorilla tape works perfectly fine. But, make sure you choose the right size.
The orange seal rim tape – the perfect tubeless rim tape
The tubeless rim ribbon from Orange Seal is a boon to any biker because it’s extremely friendly to use. At the same time, they’re also highly pressure resistant. Further, their one-sided adhesive nature helps you easily seal the spoke holes. This, in turn, converts the wheels to a tubeless system. Better yet, they’re compatible with many tubeless rims. By the way, you might require some sealant & tubeless active plugs to perfectly finish setting these tubeless rim ribbons. Also, having a large canister or air compressor of press air benefits you in a great way while expansion.
Tips on how to buy Rim Ribbons online
Now you know that there are various types of rim ribbons out there. Which also means, that you now have several options to choose from. This can get quiet frustrating when you have to pick a specific model that matches your requirements. Finding one among this ocean of options is an incredibly difficult task. But fret not, we’ve got your back. We’ve laid out a few valuable tips that’ll come in handy when you’ve evaluate your choice.
- Know your needs – This is the first and foremost step to do when you start searching online. Sorting out your needs gives you a clear target. Try and understand what kind of wheels your bicycles have. Also, measure the size of your vehicle. Sorting all this out before you begin your search online makes things easier for you.
- Understand the product – Research is an important part of online purchase. The more you know about the product the better it is. Checking out the popular manufacturers, trending models and the top places to buy them from helps you narrow down your choices. Besides, all this information gives you an in-depth understanding about the product.
- Explore your options – By now you must’ve figured out that, all the rim ribbons aren’t equal. Each one comes with different features, specifications, uses, and styles. Therefore, try and sort out a few trending models to buy online. This helps you to pick your choices effortlessly. Moreover, you’ll not waste time and energy in finding the best one among the lot.
- Check out the material – The rim tapes come in different materials. Some common materials include cotton, PVC, and plastic. The material you choose should be pressure-resistant, wear-resistant, and water-resistant. Moreover, it must be durable and should last long. Any model that doesn’t meet this criteria wouldn’t offer you value for money.
- Go for the right size and width – The size and width of the rim ribbons you buy are very important. That’s because they come in different size and widths. Besides, each bicycle has a different wheel size depending on their make and model. Therefore, you ought to pick a rim ribbon size and width that matches your wheel size for maximum protection and performance.
- Installation is important – Nobody wants to spend an entire day changing the rim strips on their tyres. You want something that you can easily put on your wheels and take them off without any hassle. Therefore, make sure the installation process of the rim ribbons before you purchase them online. Only a user-friendly model will help you get things right immediately.
- Consider the quality – Nothing is as important as the quality of the rims on your bicycle wheels. Only the best quality rim tapes offer high protection to your wheels. Therefore, make sure that you pick a durable and premium quality model. Pick your models from popular brands, as they bring you a comprehensive range of quality rim ribbons online.
- Pick an affordable model – Rim strips come in different price ranges, depending on their make, features, and models. That means, you’ll find both expensive and cheap rim tapes out there on the market. Bes sure to set aside a budget for yourself before you begin searching for your rim ribbons online. It helps you narrow down the choices and pick your perfect rim strips easily.
- Read reviews online – Many serious buyers and cycle enthusiasts take time to pen down their experience with the rim tapes. Try and read through the various comments and feedbacks online. They give you a fair idea about the product performance and the quality. Always, try and purchase rim ribbons with maximum positive comments.
Buying the rim tapes is a tricky business. You cannot just go for the models that seem pleasing to your eyes. You need to stop, evaluate the product, weigh their pros and cons and then make the final decisions. Do not make hasty decisions. Carefully assess your choice. We hope the tips above will come in handy while you’re doing so. They’ll guide you in the right direction and help you pick the best one among the lot.
Question & Answer
What rim tape do I need?
Buying the rim ribbons depends on various factors. Ideally, you need a rim tape that perfectly fits your bicycle wheels and the one that prevents your cycle wheels from any damage. In short, you need to have the best-quality rim ribbons. And one of the easiest ways of having a premium quality rim strip is to buy them from famous brands. Some brands that you can consider buying from include Stans, Velox, Gorilla, Mavic, Bontrager, DT Swiss, and Schwalbe.
How to install rim tape?
Firstly, you need to purchase the right rim tapes for your bicycles. You can do this online. Now, when you get your rim tape you’ll see that they come in rolls. And because it’s an adhesive you need to peel them off the roll. Once you peel off a few centimetres you’ll see a small hole at the very beginning of the tape. This is for the vale and you need to position them correctly over the valve hole in your rim. Make sure you press firmly to stick the tape. Next, grab a screwdriver and tighten the valve hole. Once you’ve fixed the beginning of your tape onto the valve, then keep peeling the tape till you finish the entire wheel/rim. Finally, replace your tube and tyre.
When to replace tubeless rim tape?
Typically, you’ll get a rim tape when you purchase a new bike. The rim ribbons that come with your new bikes tend to be strong and of high-quality. However, like any other product, they’re bound to be affected by the usual wear and tear. You need to change your rim tapes when you see significant wears to your existing tapes. It’s important to change them in a timely fashions to avoid any further damage to your bicycle wheels. Besides, regular maintenance keeps your product healthy!
Where to buy rim tape online in UAE?
UAE is a shopping paradise for cycling enthusiasts. Many online platforms here offer premium-quality bike parts including various kinds of rim ribbons. If you’re in search of a perfect rim tape online, then do check out the options on Shops.ae too. Our product search engine houses the biggest collection of rim tapes from world-renowned brands. You can buy pink rim tape, shop for the finest rim tape for fat bikes, or simply browse through the options available. Better yet, you can easily compare prices of your potential picks and purchase them from your favourite online stores, right here on this superfast platform.