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Reader How-To: Making a Super Light Tubeless Rim Strip for Fat Bikes

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super light tubeless rim strip fat bike how to

During a discussion on fat bike rim weights recently, the question of tubeless conversions came up. When it comes to a fat bike, the ability to ditch the tube offers a chance to lose some weight as well, but just how much does that tubeless conversion weigh? Depending on the rim and tire set up, tubeless conversions can range from a layer of super light tubeless tape to rim strips and layers of not so light Gorilla tape especially when cut out rims are involved.

For Rolf Moberg, the possibility of shaving 200-300g from the weight of his wheels had him searching for alternatives. In the end, the resulting home made rim strip has a claimed weight of just 15-20g. That’s quite a reduction, if you’re willing to put in the work…

Certainly a little more involved than just cutting out a rim strip from the stuff, you’ll have to decide if the vacuum bag hack is worth the weight saved. We’re really just curious about the use of that fire extinguisher…

Thanks to Rolf for sending this in!

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Rolf
Rolf
8 years ago

Using fire extinguisher is an old finnish tradition. Not like a sauna but almost…

Remove salt. Wash. Pump up to fill vessel with air. Use floor pump. Cut the original tube head away.

chris
chris
8 years ago

I don’t get all the extra steps? was he making the center over holes thicker? wouldn’t one strip a bit wider than the holes over one strip wider than the rim work just fine?

Darryl
Darryl
8 years ago

Because it’s not sticky so won’t hold in place without being trapped by the tyre bead.

Seffi
Seffi
8 years ago

I just us 2 5 cm electric tape 2 sides it is flexible and light.

Rolf
Rolf
8 years ago

Yes, center is thicker.Two layers.

pebakesa
pebakesa
8 years ago

The fire extinguisher thing is called a “Napsautin”, a Finnish innovation by a local enduro enthusiast. He modifies used extinguishers into blast inflators: you can pump up to 8 bars of pressure into the Napsautin, then you attach the hose to your tubeless valve, and activate the Napsautin. The high volume of highly pressurized air is sure to blast even the most stubborn tires on nearly any kind of rim.

http://www.ridemore.fi/napsautin

It’s nice to have at home since you don’t have to use a loud compressor, but it’s incredibly useful when you’re on the go at a bike park for a race or something and you don’t even have the option. Napsautin is a popular product in Finland, although relatively unknown abroad. You should do a feature on him and his excellent bike hack – he still makes them at home as a hobby!

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

I couldn’t get through the video. The constant text and zooming photos was too annoying.

slowpoke
slowpoke
8 years ago

awesome

nunyab
nunyab
8 years ago

Why not just use Rox Superdute fat bike tape. 20 grams per rim when using two layers (10 grams per layer) and only $15 for two rim strips.

Dave
Dave
8 years ago

You can’t ride fast on a fat bike?

Stephen
Stephen
8 years ago

This video is horrible. Made me sick to my stomach. Text, zooming, almost no pause between slides. Way too much work too. For a Mulefut, get Sun Ringle rim strip, Sun Ringle tubeless tape, and call it a day. Period.

Ding
8 years ago

Gorilla Clear Repair Tape. – 20-30g per Rim. Install time 2-3min. Done.

Chris
Chris
8 years ago

The same as Ding. Clear gorilla tape. I cut the rim strip back a 1/4″, then tape. But I followed up with a quick swipe of a heat gun to really seal it. Dump in some stans, and inflate. It cut just over a pound per wheel, and been going strong this last month.

Loz
Loz
7 years ago

Surly rim strips, they come in various widths. Add Stans and ride trouble free.

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