MTB tubeless rim tapes and kits

How to choose MTB tubeless rim tape

Tubeless rim tape makes the rim airtight by covering the spoke holes. It is the one component where cutting corners never pays off: if the tape is the wrong size or poorly applied, the setup will leak and leave you wondering why.

Width, the only true criterion

• Take the internal width of your rim, plus 2 to 4 mm. The tape should ride up slightly onto both rim shoulders.
• Too narrow : air leaks past the edges, and the tyre slowly deflates with no visible puncture.
• Too wide : the tape creeps up the sidewall, creases, and prevents the tyre bead from seating properly.
• Common MTB widths range from 21 to 35 mm. Measure from one shoulder to the other if nothing is specified on the rim data sheet.

Tape only or full kit?

• Tape only (DT Swiss, Muc-Off, Schwalbe, Enve, Spank) in 10 m rolls: the cost-effective choice if you are converting multiple wheels or regularly redoing your setups.
• The conversion kit (Stan's, Hutchinson, Muc-Off) combines tape, valves, and sealant in the right quantities: ideal for a first-time conversion without the risk of sizing errors.

How many layers?

A single, tightly pulled layer is enough on most modern rims. Two layers make sense on rims with large spoke holes, on older rims with an uneven bed, or when the tyre fits too loosely and lacks support when seating.

Installation

Degrease the rim with alcohol and let it dry. Start opposite the valve hole, keep the tape under constant tension, and finish by overlapping the starting point by about 10 cm. Then pierce the valve hole as small as possible using a heated point rather than a craft knife: the tape is less likely to tear and the valve seal sits better.

To find out more: How to choose MTB rim tape

See also: MTB tubeless valves · Tyre sealants · MTB rim tape