Why do you need anti-puncture tape for a bicycle? Use of sealant, anti-puncture tires and puncture protection tape Decent manufacturers point out their products

There is no 100% puncture protection. However, there are many ways to minimize the likelihood of a puncture so that no more is needed.

Method 1: Maintain proper tire pressure.

Check tire pressure first. Each tire must maintain a pressure range, which is usually marked on the sidewall and measured in bar or psi. Basically the recommended pressure is:

for tires - 7 - 10 bar;
for tires - 2 - 3 bar;
for walking tires and - 4 - 5.5 bar.

Tires that are lower than the recommended pressure are prone to snakebite punctures. They happen when you run into a pothole at high speed and hit the rim on the asphalt, leaving two small holes in the chamber, resembling snake bites. On the other hand, if you pump the camera too much, you can avoid snake bites, but you risk tearing the camera. Therefore, try to inflate tires no higher than the maximum recommended pressure and under your body weight.

Check tire pressure with a separate or built-in pressure gauge. The pressure gauge is built into all quality ones. If your pump does not have a built-in pressure gauge, then you can buy it separately, but before buying, be sure to ask what type of nipple it is designed for - Presta or Schrader. Presta nipples are thinner and require the top nut to be unscrewed before checking the pressure.

Method 2: Regular inspection of bicycle tires.

Periodically inspect tires for glass fragments, pebbles and other sharp objects, especially if you have driven on roads that are dangerous in this regard. The bits that have stuck in can not immediately pierce the tire, but gradually go deeper into the tire and eventually lead to a puncture. Therefore, try to remove all sharp objects from the tires.

Also periodically check the sidewalls and tread of tires for wear, damage, and cracks that increase the risk of punctures. If you are unsure about the condition of your bike's tires, you can consult a bike mechanic.

Method 3: Sealants for chambers.

Some chambers, both with Schrader and Presta nipples, are sold with sealant “already applied”.

What are the disadvantages of sealant? Some of them are hard to apply. Sealant alone is not able to protect against large punctures and cuts.

Method 4: Anti-puncture tapes.

Anti-puncture tape is a thin strip of extruded plastic between the tire and the tube. This extra protective layer greatly reduces the chance of being pierced by spikes, glass and other sharp objects. Anti-puncture tapes are very popular and do the job perfectly, but unfortunately add 170g of weight. This significantly reduces , which is especially unpleasant in the case of racing tires. But if you live in an area with bad roads, then it is better to sacrifice weight for the sake of comfort.

When installing the anti-puncture tape, slide the tire onto the rim so that only one bead is installed. Install the camera and pump it until it starts to touch the tire. To do this, you need to do just a few strokes. Then insert the anti-puncture tape between the slightly inflated inner tube and the tire. The camera will hold the tape in place, preventing it from moving. As a result, the camera will be protected from friction and cuts that can occur when the tape moves out of place. After installing the anti-puncture tape, put the tire on the rim. If that doesn't work, bleed some air out of the chamber. Inflate the tire to the required pressure. All! You can.

Method 5: Tubes and tires with puncture protection.

Another easy way to deal with punctures is to buy tires with puncture protection. These tires usually don't roll as well as regular tires. But cyclists who have tried them at least once, especially in the city, will never switch to regular ones.

What reduces the chance of a puncture in these tires? Most tire manufacturers simply install an extra layer of Kevlar fibers. Others simply increase the thickness of the tread, which has an extremely effective effect on the anti-puncture properties of tires, but unfortunately significantly increases their weight and thereby reduces rolling. Puncture protection tires are sold under different brand names such as Serfas Flat Protection System, Continental Safety System, Michelin ProTek reinforcement system, etc. An example of good puncture protection tires are .

Also try not to skimp on the weight of the cameras and the cameras themselves. A good camera cannot be light and cheap. The thicker (and heavier) the camera, the better. Usually, each manufacturer has a lightweight version of the cameras, from which it is better to refrain from buying.

The stores offer a large selection of products that protect tires from cuts and holes. One of the simplest and cheapest options is bicycle puncture tape - it's a reliable way to keep your ears free of road debris and small glass, but it's only suitable for tube tires. It is suitable for any bike, regardless of its purpose.

What it is?

To protect the wheel from small punctures, manufacturers came up with an interesting solution - latex anti-puncture tape. The principle of operation is very simple: a strip placed in the tire additionally protects the camera from descending while driving, even if it has.

The width of the strip allows you to go on the side surfaces of the tire, thereby protecting it from side cuts. The main advantages are low cost, light weight and additional sidewall protection.

A correctly laid strip does not affect the wheel balance in any way, the latex base stretches well and does not allow the sharp ends of street debris to pass to the chambered rubber. If the puncture still damaged the protective element, then it is enough to heat it up to 250 degrees to restore its former properties.

Exists alternative to latex - extruded plastic, it is stronger and more durable.

Before purchasing, check that the anti-puncture tape meets the following criteria:

rough;
it has a self-adhesive layer;
the edges are smooth and rounded.

These qualities will simplify the process of mounting the element and reduce the likelihood of damage to the tire from the inside. Of course, you can use and, but they are much more expensive and their operation is more complicated.
Important! The roughness will improve contact with the tire, and the self-adhesive will securely and quickly fix the strip in the desired position.

Installation

Installing the tape is much easier than installing protective tires. To do this, you do not even need to know the wheel itself. Therefore, anti-puncture tape for a bicycle is so in demand among cyclists. Sequencing:

disassemble the tire, leaving one bead in place;
wipe her insides;
prepare the tape for installation - cut the corners, shorten if necessary;
evenly lay the protective strip and pump up the wheel to securely fix the element;
return the entire tire to the rim and, using , bring the pressure in it to the desired value.

Some cyclists stick the tape on double-sided tape, so it is well fixed and does not rub the rubber with hard edges.

Do-it-yourself installation of anti-puncture tape for a bicycle will not cause any difficulties if you have minimal skills and follow the instructions.
Important! Despite the simplicity of the product, do not try to replace it with homemade counterparts, for example, from an old camera. So you will only achieve an increase in the mass of the wheel, and the original latex tape is much stronger and lighter.

Price

Each protective strip has special color markings depending on the width. Pay attention to this parameter so that they themselves do not cause the camera to break through.

Prices for anti-puncture tapes for bicycles depend on the circumference of the wheel for which it is purchased and the width of the strip itself.

Some companies offer kits for two wheels at once, their price is slightly less compared to single options.

Properly installed anti-puncture tape can protect the bike from small punctures, thanks to the latex layer that does not allow sharp particles to pass into the wheel. The price of the product is not high, so do not try to replace it with home-made options.

The discussions about Does the anti-puncture tape protect the wheel from a puncture?, do not subside on the forums since the appearance of such tapes on the market. What is most interesting, the point of contention is not the effectiveness of the tape (in one way or another, it works), but the fact that the anti-puncture tape itself can cause a puncture. The fact is that if installed incorrectly, the edges of the tape can fray the camera and ... BOOM! As they say, "get it and sign it."

If we talk about the effectiveness of puncture protection, anti-puncture tapes, up to certain limits, do their job. Small glasses and sharp stones are quite within their power. But in the event of a collision with a nail or a Crimean-Caucasian thorn (creeping anchor), the tape will no longer help.

How to properly install anti-puncture tape?

1. Make sure the tape width matches the width of your tire. Please note that not all tape manufacturers specify this parameter.

2. Disassemble the wheel and remove the tube. One bead of the tire must remain on the rim.

3. Wipe the inside of the tire thoroughly with a slightly damp cloth. This is necessary in order to remove dirt from there.

4. Round off the corners of the tape with scissors (see photo below).

5. Slowly place the anti-puncture tape into the tire. Work consistently so that the tape lies flat.

6. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut off the excess tape. Please note that some manufacturers recommend overlapping the tape, and some the other way around, leaving a gap between the edges of the tape. Read the instructions. At the cut point, round off the corners of the tape with scissors.

8. Board and inflate the wheel. Please note that an under-inflated tire may cause the anti-puncture tape to shift and, as a result, cause the tape to rub the tube.

Generally, well-installed anti-puncture tape - works. Although, for advanced cyclists, I would recommend using not a tape, but high-quality tires with an anti-puncture layer and sealant inside. They are much more effective than anti-puncture tape, but they are much more expensive. It's up to you and your wallet...

Edited: 06/20/2017

Flipper or rim tape -

this is a special layer between the wheel rim and the chamber.

In the figure, this is the blue stripe number 2.

What material is the rim tape made of?

Flippers are usually made from rubber or various polymers, often polyurethane, such as those made by Schwalbe. Some types are produced with reinforcement.

The use of rubber flippers for high pressure wheels is not recommended. A chamber under pressure of more than 4-5 atmospheres squeezes it into the spoke holes of the rim.

If you have low pressure wheels, such as for mountain bikes, rubber is usually used. For example, a simple and cheap tape in our store.

For wheels with high pressure, for example, for road bikes, polymer or even reinforced polymer belts are used.

They are sold in many bicycle and online stores. They are not expensive, much cheaper than a new camera.

The main thing when buying is to choose the right size and width.

The size of the rim tape must match the diameter of the wheel. If you don't know it, look at the rim size written on it or the tire size. It is written on the side of it, and find the landing diameter of your wheel in the tire size table. And already on it look for a flipper on the wheel.

Rim tape marking

Decent manufacturers point to their products

Who is the manufacturer
Size: width and diameter of the rim in mm. Sometimes it is written in inches. For example, a 26"x22 rim tape fits a 26" wheel. The width of the tape itself is 22mm.
The maximum pressure it can withstand
Production date

What can replace the rim tape

Stripe out old camera- the good old way since childhood. They took an old camera, cut it off and pulled it over the rim. Moreover, they tried to take the camera from a wheel of a slightly smaller diameter, so that it would sit tight on the rim, but it would not stretch much and not tear. This is not to say that this is an ideal option, but the cheapest and most affordable way. Almost all cyclists have an old leaky camera. This method will not increase friction, but it will protect against the sharp edges of the spoke holes and the ends of the spokes themselves.
Insulating tape. You can use polymer, but it is best to take fabric electrical tape with a rough outer layer. It is stronger and does not shrink. One layer is too thin, so it is wound in several layers - from 3 to 5. It will increase friction and close the knitting needles.
Scotch. Now in stationery stores you can pick up a roll of any desired width and thickness and also wind it in several layers. It is bad because it is too slippery, although it protects the camera normally.
Plain white tissue medical adhesive plaster.
Place tack tape on double sided tape. To do this, it is better to take a thick double-sided tape.

What width to choose a rim tape (flipper)

The logic of choosing the width is as follows - the main thing is that the tape covered the holes for the spokes and did not move along the rim.

You can put both narrow and the entire width of the rim.

Personally, my opinion is that it is better to take a wide flipper so that it rests against the walls of the rim and does not move.

If the rim is recessed, you can take both the width of the recess itself and the entire width so that the flipper covers the entire inner part of the rim.

If the tape is narrow, you can put it on double-sided tape, which, on the one hand, will be additional protection from the inside, and on the other hand, will prevent the flipper from moving along the wide rim.

Although adhesive tapes are sold on the market today.

A couple more nuances.

There are quite common Michelin yellow flippers. They are very stiff and do not work well for grooved rims. its edges protrude from the groove, resting against the camera and rubbing it.
When changing the camera, inspect the tape at the same time. If you have had it for a long time, then it may well break or rub in some places and represent potential danger for a new camera in the future.