My road tubeless was giving me guff. Finally just leaking too much from around valve stem. Didn’t want to pay the enve tax for their special tape so ordered 55 meters of tesa 4298 - for $13.
Removed tire yesterday to see it was previous owners gorilla tape job, the tape had delaminated a tube in the overlap for 16 inches up to the valve stem. Ok, so problem explained.
Applied the 4298, it is quite strong I had to give it my all to have it conform to rim. I did 2 extra spokes of overlap across the valve stem. Yield strength of over 200lbs means my little twiggy arms can’t break it. Because I was stretching it so tight I was able to lay it very precisely. With Stan’s and wtb it would have overstretched and torn. It seems like the same stuff as enve although they claim a silicon adhesive?
Tire seated very easily. Stuff is slick.
Liked it so much I also used it for two newly restrung mtb wheels. Same deal really easy to apply.
Perhaps the best thing about it is the freedom of plenty. $0.80 for a wheels worth of tape means I don’t need to be precious with it. If I screw up there’s a whole giant roll to pull from, which I think makes me less like.y to screw up. Enve wanted $25 for 3 wheels worth.
Tesa makes a bajillion different tapes. I used 4298, others advocate for 4289 which is thicker and stronger. Both are polypropylene with natural rubber adhesive.
Hope this helps, I’m glad to be free of the bike specific tape that’s $5/wheel.
And anyone that likes gorilla tape for tubeless? Sure it works for a while but the adhesive balls up and hardens into a mess. Plus it’s actually expensive. I love gorilla tape for important stuff like keeping my suitcase closed and fixing plumbing leaks.
Removed tire yesterday to see it was previous owners gorilla tape job, the tape had delaminated a tube in the overlap for 16 inches up to the valve stem. Ok, so problem explained.
Applied the 4298, it is quite strong I had to give it my all to have it conform to rim. I did 2 extra spokes of overlap across the valve stem. Yield strength of over 200lbs means my little twiggy arms can’t break it. Because I was stretching it so tight I was able to lay it very precisely. With Stan’s and wtb it would have overstretched and torn. It seems like the same stuff as enve although they claim a silicon adhesive?
Tire seated very easily. Stuff is slick.
Liked it so much I also used it for two newly restrung mtb wheels. Same deal really easy to apply.
Perhaps the best thing about it is the freedom of plenty. $0.80 for a wheels worth of tape means I don’t need to be precious with it. If I screw up there’s a whole giant roll to pull from, which I think makes me less like.y to screw up. Enve wanted $25 for 3 wheels worth.
Tesa makes a bajillion different tapes. I used 4298, others advocate for 4289 which is thicker and stronger. Both are polypropylene with natural rubber adhesive.
Hope this helps, I’m glad to be free of the bike specific tape that’s $5/wheel.
And anyone that likes gorilla tape for tubeless? Sure it works for a while but the adhesive balls up and hardens into a mess. Plus it’s actually expensive. I love gorilla tape for important stuff like keeping my suitcase closed and fixing plumbing leaks.
