Ben Kamenjas wrote
"Talking to a gentlemen about some old parts he has stockpiled, he mentioned something about "real" rim tape for back-in-da-day where it had a metal tab on one end that the other end looped through before itwas tied on. He mentioned these would suit my old track bars and was a common thing to do/use. Anyone know of this style of rim-tape and how far back was this???"
This stuff is at least from the 60's, I had to replace it on a mid 60's 3-speed I worked on last year. It wouild have lasted longer, but it had spent the last couple years outdoors getting wet. The front one was ok, so it's pretty good stuff as far as durability goes. In my limited experience, I'd rate it just above velox, but only because it can be reused.
Steve Birmingham
Lowell, Ma