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If you tension the rim tape more as you apply it you won't have the bubbles and you won't need the electrical tape at all. It not a weight issue, it's a technique issue. Also, you should overlap from the valve hole. I also recommend heating the tip of the sharp tool for a clean hole. Great video!

One trick I've found is to apply the tape, then put a tire and tube on the wheel and air up the tube. Leave the tube on for a bit to set. It pushes evenly on the tape and pushes the bubbles out. Remove tire and tube and tape will be smooth.

This is awesome! Great work you guys

Your attitude and energy is just infectious. I can't wait to see more

You ain't alone. A lot of us have been biking for awhile and cant do some of the basics... this is cool, thanks guys

Syd and Macky I can't live without this repository of bike shop video tutorials. In this video, I recognized the same issues I have with the tubeless rim tape on carbon rims... thanks for making these videos

Fun upload! Now, if you have a video on “the best way to clean tire sealant off of your dog, after she sits on a small spill”, that would be awesome! (Asking for the dog, because she can’t type. ;)

I’ve watched other how-to videos and by comparison this one was very easy to follow and very helpful for someone not mechanically inclined. Great job!!!

I was out riding when this was posted. Got the notification mid-climb and tried to watch it right away (perfect excuse to take a break, amirite?!), but reception in the mountains is crap 😢 back home. About to take a shower and excited to watch it right after! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

You both communicate the important points clearly, but it's still entertaining watching Syd doing it as a relative beginner and having fun - which is reassuring too. This is important, I assume many of us will be watching to learn a new maintenance task, this makes attempting something unfamiliar much less confronting. I hope this is a winning formula for you (and us), I can't wait to see more.

Love this different approach to tech videos, usually you have someone that knows what he/she’s doing. Seeing it from the point of view of someone who’s just learning is very interesting (and entertaining!)

Looking forward to this. I've been wanting to do more of my own stuff, and with how you guys explain things I think this new channel will be more helpful than others I have tried watching.

The 1 minute recap is genius! Great work guys. Super entertaining and useful.

I’ve always started 4-5 hinches (1 spoke hole past the the valve hole. When you get back around you go one spoke hole the other direction. This way there are two layers over the valve hole helping the valve stem seal better

Agree with some of the other posters. I use Stan’s tape, same probably for others. You MUST stretch the tape as you are applying it, then you don’t need electrical tape. You know you’re stretching it enough if the tape doesn’t bubble up over the spoke holes. Also on some rims (namely the Roval aluminum rims on my Specialized Levo) the tape WILL NOT stick well (the rim seems to have some kind of finish that resists mud and also tape sticking). You can solve this by using a 2-3in bit of gorilla tape to hold the starting end, so you can pull hard enough to stretch the the tape without it coming loose. Also, I have to disagree with one of the other posters, I think tape width is a bit of a preference, as long as it covers the spoke holes. I use same width as rim. I got a pro-built wheel the other day and the tape was the width of the middle channel, not the whole rim. I think as long as you stretch well and use good rim tape it just has to cover the holes. Having it the same width as the rim gives the tape additional purchase on the shoulders of the rim bead. My .02. Great channel!

I’ve encountered a similar issue with purpose made rim tape. When I chatted with a mechanic about it, he suggested using a heat gun/hair dryer to shrink fit after application. I’ve been doing it ever since, it works great. I’m pretty positive that’s what they do at the factory because it looks exactly like a factory finish when done. Doesn’t have the added durability of double layering like electrical, but probably worth trying for those of us doing gravel/road/cx tubeless where the pounding isn’t quite as severe!

I absolutely love your videos you two! You both have a wonderful video personality that makes them fun to watch. The 1 minute recap is a great way to help “set” the new knowledge in for people like me with short memories. Syd you are an absolute gem of a lady and Mackie (spelling?) you have a great attitude as a mentor/ instructor. Keep the videos coming. They are greatly appreciated.

Great video. I'm very new to mountain biking but doing my own maintenance is one thing that I will be striving for. So I see a lot of time spent with you guys in the future. Keep up the great videos

Great idea for a channel. Like that the videos are short, to-the-point and with a little humor!

Psyched to see this series! Just starting home mechanic stuff so this is really nice to know. Plus the reasoning is also very useful to know why we do things.

At 4:28 or so, the rim tape isn't being applied correctly. You have to pull pretty hard to stretch the tape while applying it. That way it will go down nicely into the channel. Most rim tapes are pretty good, but I've found that "Muc-Off" is particularly easy to stretch. You shouldn't have to follow it up with electrical tape. The process of putting in a tube to set it is good, but also unnecessary. Just pressurizing the tire will do exactly the same thing. 30 psi (or whatever) puts 30 psi against the tape, whether there's a tube there or not. The only reason you'd need a tube is if the tire won't hold pressure at all. At 6:57 when you use the "pokey thing" just insert it from the other side of the rim, where you can easily see the hole, instead of the rim side, where you can't! The weight of extra layers isn't the issue, it's the thickness. It just makes the process harder. It's probably why putting the tire on was more difficult, as the bead couldn't go as low into the now filled up channel. Finally, putting it on a truing stand rather than on the floor makes it really hard to apply the kind of stretchy pulling force you need. I'd go to the Muc-Off tape application video, TBH. In one video they use a truing stand, in one they don't. Not using one is easier in my experience.

Luv this. You are both so authentic and the commentary and tips are brilliant!! Thank you.

I loved it! You guys are my favorite people on youtube, srsly. I've never had a problem installing my rim tape, but I'll be watching this every time I need to just for a fun refresher.

I just love your videos. You are soooo down to earth and practical. Keep it rolling!

Thanks guys! That proved really useful in fixing the previous owners interesting rim tape experiments. Pumped up first go, (to my relief.) I liked the truing stand idea, so I drilled a hole in a hardwood offcut, clamped it up in a vice, then used my rear axle bolt as a workaround for this job. Makes lining the tape up much easier. So thanks for that idea, too!

This is one of those bike jobs Seth’s Bike Hacks always complains that when you post a video, 5k people immediately tell you you’re doing it wrong, haha. Great video, though I did it with just Stan’s tape, stretched it as I applied it, two loops around the tube (they only had narrow tape at my shop), and seems to be holding. Whatever works. The electrical tape is a cool idea.

I wish this was up a few weeks ago when I set up tubeless for the first time. great video I'm looking forward to more

I haven’t read all the comments here, but something that should be mentioned in all of this, that many people are unaware of, is that there are varying degrees of electrical tape. 3M makes good stuff and at numerous thicknesses. As a auto mechanic I love using Tesa tape, which is extremely quality electrical tape used by German and European auto manufacturers. Tesa tape is also relatively affordable on Amazon. It’s awesome, and as a cyclist I’m wondering if my Tesa tape would work for this. Tesa is flame and waterproof, has awesome stickiness, and is sorta like hockey tape on steroids. Anyway, maybe try Tesa.

ha ha! Syd is the best! love the first video :) good job Syd! just did my first rim tape a few months ago with success (no electrical tape though, might try that next time)!

Perfect explanations, yet still a fun vid to watch. Kudos!

I love what y'all are doing with this channel!!!!!

Great video! I find poking the hole outward from the valve hole then going from the other side helps line things up nicely

Love the new series! Looking forward to the next video!

Freakin' killed it you guys! I really dig the second channel. If youre going to do the quick recap, you might start with that so we have a sense of direction from the start.

So helpful ! and the 1 min recap summary at the end is super idea. thanks ✌️

This will be an awesome/fun/entertaining series......Can't wait for the "Syd's 2nd brake bleed" vid :)

You have to pull strong from the ring tape side with one hand while pushing with the thumb of the other hand. Take advantage of the rim tape flexibility to sketch it while you put it. Then apply a bit of heat with a hair drier and you'll get a perfect finish.

Cool channel. I started myself to learn this year, and it is pretty difficult at times. Hoping this channel helps. Now I know how to install rim tape!

I watched this vid twice did the exact same thing they did and was shocked how easy this was to go tubeless. Everyone thinking about going tubeless just follow these steps. THEY WORK!!!!

I liked that first video ( I enjoyed it AND pushed the like button ). Great job creating different content to complement the original channel. Thanks guys!

Top work. Knew how to do it anyway, but just watched as I enjoy your guys content.

great video and far more clear than many others that I've seen. please keep them coming, and don't forget about road bikes too :)

Great video, I really like the 1 minute summary at the end.

Just found this channel and glad I did! Thanks for the vid. New Subscriber!

This is awesome!

Cool channel! This is really funny for those of us home wrenches who love to work on our bikes...More power to you guys!

congrats on the new channel!

Great video guys! I am super excited for the new channel📺🤩

Huge congrats to Syd and Macky for bringing out great content that is not only informative but FUN to learn. Syd represents all of us mechanically challenged folks and her good natured enthusiasm and willingness to poke fun at herself is so welcomed after so many overly serious i.e. full of themselves streamers. Time to reactivate the Patreon account cause this is going to save money from going to the local shop.

Great job Syd!!

Loving the new channel

Having someone hold the wheel while you pull the tape tight and "stretch" it into the channel keeps things really clean and tight. Having them rotate it makes things go really fast. No need to do a little at a time making a huge mess with bubbles. This also eliminates the need for your electrical tape as you can do two layers rather quickly. I also start and stop over the valve core hole. This leaves the overlap (4 layers thick) where you're going to poke your hole, making things extra strong. Factory tape is also applied under tension, that's why it's so clean 😉

Great channel 👍 thank you I'm one that needs this cause I'm clueless about repairs.

The more wheels I've converted to tubeless, the more time I spend doing it super clean. I've learned this is quite an important step.

I don't know if you are doing that little mistakes on purpose but they definitely show the most common mistakes that any one of us could make while we are trying to gain more expertise. So thank you for not editing them out, very helpful. All the best.

This worked for me. My four year old 35 MM IR MTB wheel had a slow leak. Went soft in a day. So pulled the tire, cleaned the rim, and tapped with Stan's Tubeless Tape. This was my first time putting on tubeless tape. Followed other video instructions. Pulled hard on tape as installed, BUT it did not cover spoke holes well. Had bubbles. Pushed down the tape and hoped that air pressure would solve. Nope. Went completely flat in less than 2 hours. Watched Syd install her tape. Looked terrible on the initial tubeless tape (just like mine). Then she added the electrical tape and made it look a LOT better. So I removed my botched tubeless tape and started over. Laid down new tubeless tape (Stan's). It looked better than first time, but still not great (lots of air pockets). Then I wrapped 3 layers of electrical tape. One strip in middle over the indent groove and spoke holes to push/hold down the tubeless tape, one strip on right side (near outer edge), and one strip on left side. Filled it up. 2 days later it still held air (did go slightly soft). Took out for a 90 minute ride. Air held. It was NOT pretty, but this "practical" method worked for me. Thanks Syd and Macky.

One thing we felt wasn't clear in the video: you want to press the tape down into the center of the rim so that it isn't "floating" above the rim channel.

I had a leaky tape job so I got on YT to figure out where I went wrong and found this vid. I decided to put one wrap pf electrical tape over the spoke holes and then put rim tape on top of, hoping this would give me a better chance of a perfect seal at each hole. It worked well. My tire lost pressure over the first night, but it kept the air in after that. Thanks for the idea! Oh I also switched to a valve that had a rubber cone shaped seal (I9 brand) that I believe might seal better than my previous valve. Also, rubbing some sealant on the edge of the tire before installing helps it slip on easier.

Very informative, Thank you!! Also I found gorilla tape in 1 inch width today. Going to try your technique on my wheels this weekend.

Thabks so much. Entertaining and informative. Will get my tubeless done with confidence. Great

Headset overhaul vid would be useful for the home mechanics out there. It’s an easy, often needed service yet I see many home mechanics mess it up. Installing new disc brake pads/ hyperextending and cleaning caliper pistons would be a useful vid too. Another easy service requiring minimal tools that can really improve brake performance between bleeds.

Really helpful and entertaining! Mate, you're a lucky guy!

Syd- I know how to tape rims but found this very entertaining!

Very helpful. Thank you!

Some tips that people may find helpful especially if it is a bit of a fight to get the tyres on the newly taped rim: 1 - If it is a new folded tyre take it out its packet, unfold it and get it round, you can then stretch the bead by putting a foot on the tyre bead and pulling the opposite side, do this and shuffle the tyre round through 180 degrees. 2 - when installing the tyre start opposite the valve and push the tyre bead into the channel in the middle of the rim - this will give you the greatest amount of slack to get that last awkward bit of tyre on. 3 - If the first side of the tyre is tight to fit (requires more than your fingers and thumbs to get it on) you can put sealant into the wheel once the second side is on, some bottles of sealant come with a little funnel that will allow filling through the valve (with the valve core removed) otherwise a syringe and a section of hose for bleeding brakes works really well. 4 - If your tight tyres wont seat (make that satisfying pop) get some liquid soap and dilute with water then squirt/rub this onto the rim & tyre all the way round. Any kind of soap will work, hand wash, dish soap, shower gel. Also don't miss the tip from Yankee Rider for heating the rim and rim tape - it's another good one.

Wow just in time I’m doing this for the first time this weekend

This was very helpful, thanks!

One trick I’ve found without using electrical tape is use the rim tape as you shown. Then install the tire but install a tube. Inflate to 30psi and leave to sit overnight. The tape job will come out looking professional. The issues I’ve had with electrical tape is too many layers of tape takes up the distance in the drop center of the rim. I run CushCore and I need every bit of space to get that tire on. Great video

Thank you! 3rd video I watched on rim tape, but the 1st one to actually show applying the tape. I swear the others acted like the bead channel didn't exist. Or they chose easy rims to demonstrate on.

Thanks for the tips !

Great video guys. The start point is still up for debate, as a mechanic, I do all my tape a few inches before the hole and end a few after. Also, a great tip, if you have time, is to put tubeless tape on install a tube inflate overnight remove the tube and tape will be super smooth. I do it at my shop all the time but maybe leave it for an hour and never have an issue always seal up nice and tight.

Great rim job!

Now I feel I can install rim tape👏🏼

I think you missed an important point when taping a wheel for tubeless and thats having a proper width of the tape. The tape needs to be cca 5mm wider than inner width of the rim. That means if your rim is 30mm inner diameter you should use 35mm wide tape. 33 is not enough to cover the rim fully from side to side and more than 35 will probably not fit. Important word here is "fully" as the tire when seated has to sit on the tape. If there is tape missing in the corners of the rim bed it will not seal. This has been most common source of frustration why the tubeless thing does not work that I came across. If you do this properly there is no need for that electrical tape and I would avoid it as it adds thickness to the rim bed and can make mounting and seating tires really unpleasantly hard. I even encountered a wheel with two layers of tape on which the tire would not seat in the bead at all not even with over 60 psi in them..

Well done!

I recommend using DT Swiss rim tape (4mm wider than internal width of rim) and do a double wrap. The way you do this is start on one side of the valve hole, wrap twice and finish on the opposite side of the valve hole. This way it is single ply around the hole to facilitate sealing the valve and it will be double everywhere else. You will not need any electrical tape or anything else and I guarantee it will hold air better and also facilitate seating the bead much easier.

Spot on video. Muc Off tape is our shop’s weapon of choice for tubeless. It’s adhesive is better than Stan’s imho. We also typically install a tube/tire after applying tape to help remove bubbles and to help tape adhesive to setup. Tube stays in for 24 hours then we remove and install valve/ add sealant. You get ride of the bubbles and have a pro tape job.

Really helpful!

Nice job! The 1-minute recap is very professional and useful! How about totally getting off all old sealant from inner tire surfaces when it's been caked on for months? can never get it all off when redoing/swapping a tire (want to reuse that tire eventually) , have stopped trying.....

Good stuff - I too use the rag technique to push it down but I always use DTSwiss Rim Tape as it’s less “sheer” than Stans Or Joe’s so I don’t have the bubbling as much and don’t need to use electrical tape afterwards ... you should check it out.

Te amo Syd!!! Eres genial 👍

I use gorilla tape . The 1 inch tape works great for my rim size. I put electrical tape first and then the gorilla tape over it to avoid the sticky residue from the tape . As with syd it was trial and error until I had permanent success . well done

Thanks great vid

Thanks for this! I could have used it a couple of months ago, I used a narrow rim tape and it didn't cover the spoke holes properly, I gave up and took it to a pro. Now I know what I was doing wrong🙄

Cheers for the tip with the insulating tape I did my son's no tube less rims and the rear one would hold air but would loose 10psi over a few days drove me mad.. Anyway I've cleaned it down taped the tape and it's now holding air fine cheers

Thanks, I'm now tubeless thanks to you. I put a 2.5 maxxis minion DHF up front, and a DHR2 in the back, 2.4.

Damn, this is fantastic

rim tape hack - pull the tape onto the rim (dont worry about bubbles) once in place put in a inner tube and pump, leave for a few hours remove tube and there you go a perfectly taped rim 👍

I don't mean it badly, but I'm the only one who think this is not a great tubeless tape job? Many bubbels, no tension when applying the main tape an too many layers of tapes? You should try a good tape like from muc-off. Apply one overlapping round with strong tension on the tape (start a few inches before the valve hole and end a few inches after the valve hole) and you are done! By the way your style of explanation is great and i'm looking forward for your channel!

I feel like Syd is not a seasoned expert (No offence) which I think connects better with the amateurs amongst us, me included definitely. A lot of fun to watch also....

I love the added trick of adding electrical tape over rim tape as an added barrier and clean looking finish, I would like to add that if you want a smoother initial application of tubeless tape, Stans, Slime, DT swiss, ect, all benefit from being installed with tension as it helps with adhesion on the rim, and will leave a smooth application. as for Gorilla and Duct Tape, they're not technically air tight, as they're perforated for easy tearing so they require sealant to seal them up and can slowly leach moisture into the rim. I apply about 2-3 spoke widths initially then start to apply tension ( you will hear it strain) to the tape and turn the wheel away from me, once the wheel makes the first 1/8-1/4 rotation you can move your hand forward and tension in 1/8th rotation sections. Give this a try next time and see how it goes for you. Over all love this tutorial and great information for basic mechanical skill work! Keep up the amazing job!

Syd's concentration face is great!

LOL love it

Great!

Just discovered this channel and i must say your instructions are very intuitive and easy to follow! great job guys!! Im trying to find a sealant that is easy to work with and doesn't get all clumped up inside the tire. What is your favorite sealant to use? im sure your sponsored by someone and they give you sealant but still want to know what you guys think..? Im running non Cushcore tire inserts. Some sealant doesn't work well with inserts

Nice job on the tubeless set up. Just finished mine last week, still no flats. How about this tire?

Some Roval wheels come with plastic buttons with o rings that go in the spoke holes, no tape needed, and if you have to work on a spoke just pull out one plug, fix the spoke, replace the plug, the plugs may be lighter, but they sure are easy to use, and get use to..

Nice

Right on..