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Bontrager TLR rims strip - to remove or not to remove?

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Panttaani

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I figure I could make my 2021 Kovee Pro 30 wheelset about 100 g lighter by replacing the TLR rim strips with regular tubeless tape. But is it worth it? A few possible benefits come to mind but also a few questions:

1. Rim profile would no longer be hookless, does it make a significant difference to actual tire profile?
2. Does it void warranty?
3. Tape width, what’s best?
4. Valves, do those original round base valves still work? (On the other hand, it might also be good time to try Fillmores)
5. Anything else come to mind? Pros and cons

I would appreciate any feedback from those who have made the switch from strip to tape and it would also be great if Mitch@Trek would pop in and give us the official opinion from Trek.
 
#2 ·
Panttaani said:
I figure I could make my 2021 Kovee Pro 30 wheelset about 100 g lighter by replacing the TLR rim strips with regular tubeless tape. But is it worth it? A few possible benefits come to mind but also a few questions:

1. Rim profile would no longer be hookless, does it make a significant difference to actual tire profile?
2. Does it void warranty?
3. Tape width, what’s best?
4. Valves, do those original round base valves still work? (On the other hand, it might also be good time to try Fillmores)
5. Anything else come to mind? Pros and cons

I would appreciate any feedback from those who have made the switch from strip to tape and it would also be great if Mitch@Trek would pop in and give us the official opinion from Trek.
Click to expand...
1. I wouldn’t think so.
2. No, why would it?
3. Try a little wider than the rim width to follow the contour of the rim bed.
4. I would opt for a different set with flexible rubber base. I like Peaty’s…but I’m sure others are good as well.
5. Rim tape is much more of a hassle (removing/installing) then rim strips, imho. If 100g (seems high) is gonna make or break you is another question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
^ That may not be true, somehow I came to conclusion that the rim strip shape makes the sidewalls hookless. Maybe I’m wrong then.
Anyway, I agree that it can be a pain to remove and install some (most) tires so I’m not sure the strip makes installing easy like advertised.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
Panttaani said:
Anyway, I agree that it can be a pain to remove and install some (most) tires so I’m not sure the strip makes installing easy like advertised.
Click to expand...
I don't think there is a claim that the strip makes installing tires easier. However, once you wrestle the tire on, the strips do make tubeless setup easy, since there is little or no gap between the tire's bead and the strip. This makes initial sealing easy without needing a compressor. I've got a compressor, and a "wonky" hand, so it's tape for me. 🙃

It might also be worth noting that one time I got a tubeless flat and had to insert a tube to get back to the car. The TLR strips made that very difficult.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
kosmo said:
It might also be worth noting that one time I got a tubeless flat and had to insert a tube to get back to the car. The TLR strips made that very difficult.
Click to expand...
So true. I made the change to tape (Stan’s 30 mm) and the only way I could remove the tire was to cut it with a carpenter’s knife. The dried sealand had really glued the tire into the rim strip grooves. I tried every tool I have but the knife was the only option in the end.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
Panttaani said:
the only way I could remove the tire was to cut it with a carpenter’s knife. The dried sealand had really glued the tire into the rim strip grooves. I tried every tool I have but the knife was the only option in the end.
Click to expand...
Hmmm...
Many tubeless tires in 12 years, but I have never come close to needing to cut off a tire.
 
#11 ·
Panttaani said:
So true. I made the change to tape (Stan’s 30 mm) and the only way I could remove the tire was to cut it with a carpenter’s knife. The dried sealand had really glued the tire into the rim strip grooves. I tried every tool I have but the knife was the only option in the end.
Click to expand...
Been there. Once. Bonty LT2 tire on a DT Swiss XMC rim. Can't even remember if they were "stripped" or not.

Love those tires for gravel roads, but you better carry a cell phone in the event of an emergency (though they are almost impossible to flat).
 
#12 ·
Panttaani said:
…the only way I could remove the tire was to cut it with a carpenter’s knife
Click to expand...
I had the same experience—I cut the original tires off my Bontrager carbon fiber rims with an xacto knife because it was completely impossible to get a tire lever under the bead, even in the center channel, with that plastic thing on there. I assume the lawyers require the bead to be so impossibly tight.

2 layers of DT Swiss (29 or 32mm—either works) tape and everything been perfect since.
www.universalcycles.com

DT Swiss Tubeless Rim Tape 2022

DT Swiss Tubeless Rim Tape 2022 :: From $82.00 :: Tubeless Rim Tape
www.universalcycles.com www.universalcycles.com
 
#14 ·
mtb128pedal said:
How do you get the rim strip off without cutting it. And the are $20 each. The strip did make it easy to seat the bead. But when I broke a spoke I had to cut out the strip. I’ve reused tape before without leaks.
Click to expand...
It's difficult, but doable--though you will realistically only get one "reuse" from it, if you remove it. Start at the valve hole, and prop it up enough to get a skinny/smooth flatblade in under it, then raise it up enough to sneak a tire lever in from the side. Before trying to pry over, pick it up/run all the way around the rim to unseat the feather-edges from under the bead hooks. Carefully pry it over the rim edge.

It's easier to sneak a razor blade right at the feathered edge next to the appropriate spoke hole, sneak the skinny/smooth flatblade in, then gently work it over to the other rim edge. Twist it away enough to retrieve the broken spoke nipple/spoke, replace with a new one, then remove your flatblade/reseat the strip.

The easiest method, though, is to simply cut a cross through the rim strip over the spoke hole, then follow up by placing a small square of tubeless tape over when you are done.
 
#16 ·
steadite said:
I had the same experience—I cut the original tires off my Bontrager carbon fiber rims with an xacto knife because it was completely impossible to get a tire lever under the bead, even in the center channel, with that plastic thing on there. I assume the lawyers require the bead to be so impossibly tight.

2 layers of DT Swiss (29 or 32mm—either works) tape and everything been perfect since.
www.universalcycles.com

DT Swiss Tubeless Rim Tape 2022

DT Swiss Tubeless Rim Tape 2022 :: From $82.00 :: Tubeless Rim Tape
www.universalcycles.com www.universalcycles.com
Click to expand...
Now that we've covered the TLR strips pretty thoroughly, I'll call a mild thread derail and ask for tubeless tape recommendations, because $26 for a roll of the DT tape seems ludicrous to me.

mtb128pedal said:
How do you get the rim strip off without cutting it. And the are $20 each. The strip did make it easy to seat the bead. But when I broke a spoke I had to cut out the strip. I’ve reused tape before without leaks.
Click to expand...
I push the strip up a bit from the valve stem hole, then slide a thin-ish, round screwdriver shaft under the strip across both rim beads, then kind of peel it off almost like a tire bead. Easy peasy.

However, this might stretch the TLR strip a bit? I'll never know, since I've never put one back on. When we moved 3 years ago, I binned four of five strips that had been hanging in my shop for ages. 🙃
 
#17 ·
mtb128pedal said:
How do you get the rim strip off without cutting it. And the are $20 each. The strip did make it easy to seat the bead. But when I broke a spoke I had to cut out the strip. I’ve reused tape before without leaks.
Click to expand...


Thread an M8 bolt into the rim strip at the valve hole and pull up.

You've really re-used rim tape successfully?
 
#18 ·
J.B. Weld said:
Thread an M8 bolt into the rim strip at the valve hole and pull up.

You've really re-used rim tape successfully?
Click to expand...
Yep. Pulled it off taking car to keep the adhesive side clean. Then hung it from a bike which was hanging from the ceiling. Then lined up the valve stem hole and rewrapped. I used two layers. I would not want to try it out in the woods. It was Stan's tape. Oh the tire holds air better now. But I had a roll ready in case it did not work.

M8 screw. Good idea. I tried to use a pick and then a needle to get under the strip. It was so tight like it was glued on. I think as a system the Bontrager strips

OK back on the rail. So I've used Stan's tape, WTB tape and Thinvik tape. The WTB looks like Stan's. The Thinvik also is like the Stan's just a different color. I use a hot nail to make the stem hole. I clean the rim with isopropyl alcohol from the hardware store. As I lay the tape down I use a clean cloth to rub the tape down and foot or two at a time. If it starts to crinkle I lift the section and reapply. Then use the cloth and rub the tape to warm it so it forms to the rim. I do two wraps for mtb or road.
 
#19 ·
kosmo said:
Now that we've covered the TLR strips pretty thoroughly, I'll call a mild thread derail and ask for tubeless tape recommendations, because $26 for a roll of the DT tape seems ludicrous to me.
Click to expand...
I‘ve tried various tapes and LOVE the DT Swiss stuff—it just seems to have the perfect texture, strength, & the adhesive is sufficient without leaving residue behind. I’m happy to pay for it.
 
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