The very first time I ever pulled a tire and tube off of a rim it made an impression on me and it still does. I’m not sure I expected to find anything other than the tube between the rim and tire but there it was, some sort of tape. The French words, “Fond de Jante” and latin “Velox”, written in blue, lightly stamped upon woven adhesive-backed cotton-canvas. It had at once both a timelessness and a retro look. Running my forefinger over it as it covered the eyelets of my rims I imagined a French bicycle mechanic of old masterfully building wheels that pro teams from the 60’s and 70’s might use.
We can still look at our machines and see flares of tradition that remain from technology which has trudged on. Round drop-bars and gleaming bits are remaining vestiges of the classic machines of our sport. These throwbacks are often obscured by contemporary things like modern materials, ergo shapes and compact geometry. But hidden between layers of rubber and aluminum, like a business suit belies fine lingerie, adheres Le Fond de Jante, literally the “base of the rim”. The true story of Fond de Jante can be found here.
You might say all this pradling on about rim tape may be much ado about nothing. However, no detail is too small nor can it be overlooked by the Velominatus. I’ve heard other companies manufacture and sell rim tape but when you’re given Rochefort 8 for your first beer there’s no use in even considering anything else. So chapeau to our friends at Velox for making the finest rim tape that’s ever protected a tube from puncture.
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I also run tubeless, on bike #1, with Campagnolo Eurus and Hutchinson. It's great - nice ride without too much hassle, and you can always chuck a tube in if you need to.
No idea what Stan's is but I do use sealant.
I find it is brilliant at avoiding slow leaks and small punctures, which is a very common hazard here with lots of little bits of metal and debris from trucks.
But as Rookie said the only downside is that Hutchinsons aint cheap and I find them a bit more susceptible to a disastrous gash than other tyres.
@Oli
That's what I mean - any rim strip that is bought in the wrong size will have this problem. Its not Velox's problem, its the person who bought the wrong width.
@all
Am I the only one that just doesn't like Ritchey products on a road bike? Given the choice between two products of equal value and performance, I'll take the other every time.
Love the shit out of them for off-road, though.
Ran tubeless for cross this fall, had quite a few mishaps- flats n burps; albeit related to the low pressures which gave great traction in the little mud we did have... A bit irritating as some of the punctures made a whole tire useless (or at least unappealing to run tubed).
My question, tho (im also on the 6700s), is that I've heard the road tires that seat well are frustrating to remove when roadside reinflations are unsuccessful. Any such experience?
Nice Marko. Whenever I get a new wheel set, the first order of business is replacing whatever inferior tape/ plastic rim strip comes standard and upgrade.
I've never had the problems @oli mentioned. Just pick the correct width, warm up the tape and rim a bit stick it, and never think about it again.
@frank
If I was going to replace bar, stem and seat post I would go with 3T or maybe FSA. I agree that Ritchey does not catch my eye the way those two brands do.
@frank
What about a Ritchey frame set? As I've mentioned before, I love mine.
I do agree that their components aren't as "finished" as others though.
Pretty:
Meh:
@RedRanger
Don't understand why you don't like "Ritchey". I like their products fine and their customer service is great. I have always had a good experience whenever I had to get someone on the phone, etc.
@scaler911
Those pictures kind of stack the deck there. You can get absolutely beautiful carbon bling by Ritchey. And if you ride a bike you're pretty much aware of that since it's everywhere.
However, I am with Frank on this. Off road only. I don't know why except that TR made his bones off road I guess but it does just seem wrong on a road bike.
3T ftw!!
@Marko
Fair enough with good, solid intertubes - but be careful if you ever switch to latex - little issues with rim strips and valve holes have been the bane of my existence when using too-thin tubes. Yuck.