Rim tape

BMX rim tape: the part that stops repeat punctures

When an inner tube punctures twice in the same spot, the tyre is almost never to blame: it is a spoke nipple standing proud in the rim bed, or a strip that has shifted and left a drilling hole exposed. Those few grams are the only barrier between a tube at high pressure and the sharp edges of the rim bed.

Rubber, adhesive or high-density strip

Rubber rim tape is the most common: supple, it follows the rim bed, repositions easily and survives several fittings. High-density strips, thinner and stiffer, save a few grams and cope better with the high pressures run on deep-section rims. Adhesive strips no longer move once laid, which is welcome on carbon rims with a very smooth bed, but they come off for good when you strip the wheel.

20 inch rim tape

The two 20 inch diameters need different strips, and that is the most frequent ordering mistake.

• 451 rim: narrow 1"1/8 and 1"3/8 sections, Mini to Expert classes
• 406 rim: 1.50 to 1.75 sections, Pro classes and complete bikes

24 inch rim tape

For the Cruiser, 507 rims are protected with 24x1.50 or 24x1.75 strips. The logic is the same as in 20 inch: it is the internal rim width that decides, not the width of the tyre fitted over it.

Choosing the right width

Measure the internal width of the rim bed, hook to hook, and take a strip of that width or a millimetre more. Too narrow and it leaves the spoke nipples exposed at the edges, exactly where the tube presses. Too wide and it rides up the sidewalls, interferes with tyre seating and creates a build-up that makes fitting hard. If in doubt, the specification of your BMX rims states this figure.

Fitting and checks

Rim tape goes in the base of the bed, before the tube and the tyre. Line its hole up on the valve hole first, then roll it round the full circumference checking that no nipple shows. Once the tube is lightly inflated and seated, look through the valve hole to confirm the strip has not slipped. If you have just replaced spokes, run a finger round the bed: a nipple standing proud must be filed back before fitting. The detail is covered in our BMX spokes section.

When to replace it

Change the tape as soon as it shows cracking, a tear at the valve hole, permanent deformation or spoke nipple marks pressed into it. The simplest habit: check it at every BMX inner tube change. Rubber hardened by several seasons no longer returns to shape and shifts at the slightest strip-down.

The brands available

• Pride: high-density strips, thin and light, black or white
• ICE: thick rubber, forgiving on rims with large drillings
• Position One: straightforward references, worth keeping in stock

The BMX RACING advice

Give us the model of your rims, or their internal width and diameter (406, 451 or 507): we tell you which strip fits and which material suits the pressures you run. Dispatched within 24 to 72 hours and you can spread the cost over 2 or 3 payments available.