Hi Folks,
Long ago, back in "The Day", I rode my track bike for many thousands of miles over rolling hills and even up and down far too many steep switchbacks than I now like to remember (and, yes, without brakes!). I had always (naively?) just used "rim tape" on my sturdier "road-designated" wheels, and apparently through some miracle, had never suffered a tire loss. [Crashes? Yes. Concussions? Yes. Slipped tire? No.]
In spite of my great luck, over the passing years I had come to be more sensible... I thought. And, I'd be very wary of not using glue/mastic on any tubular tires today.
However, I have heard that recently rim tapes (eg: TUFO's tubular tire gluing tape) have re-entered the marketplace. I seem to have missed something during my past few decades of clincher tire riding. It seems that this has become (again) a viable alternative - despite our ravenously litigious society.
So, is this stuff really a decent alternative to slopping on the ol' glue? Appreciate anyone's personal opinions, or actual experiences using these products. And also your recommendations either for or against. And, bear in mind that I am now a non-competitive, regrettably slower, and inevitably older, recreational rider... who nevertheless misses riding on tubular tires, and especially the convenience of just taping them on.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Bob Hanson, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA