Rim tape and rim locks are the two components that determine whether your tube survives a hard landing or a fast corner. This range covers widths from 19mm to 60mm and fits common wheel sizes including 16, 17 and 18-inch rims, sourced from Whites, Vee Rubber, Tubliss, Bolt and LA Corsa.
Rim Tape and Rim Locks: What Actually Matters
A rim lock prevents tyre rotation on the rim under hard braking or acceleration. A rim tape seals spoke nipple holes to stop them cutting into the tube. Get either wrong and you face a flat at the worst possible moment.
Rim Lock Fitment
Rim locks are sized by the internal tyre bead width they clamp. Most off-road 21-inch front wheels and 18 or 19-inch rear wheels take a standard 2.15-inch or 2.50-inch rim lock. Nylon-bodied rim locks from Whites reduce unsprung weight versus steel units while maintaining the required clamping load. Available in black, gold and green anodised finishes.
Rim Tape Width Selection
Selecting the correct tape width is not optional. Tape too narrow leaves spoke holes exposed; tape too wide folds and creates pressure points. The table below maps widths to common rim and tyre combinations.
| Tape Width | Tyre Size | Wheel Size | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19mm | Front narrow | 21 inch | MX / enduro front |
| 24mm | Rear enduro narrow | 18 or 19 inch | Tubliss rear setup |
| 30mm | 250 / 325-16/17 | 16 or 17 inch | Road / trail rear |
| 60mm | 150 / 190-16/17/18 | 16, 17 or 18 inch | Large road rear |
Tubliss-Specific Tape
The Tubliss system seats a high-pressure inner bladder against the rim bed. Tubliss rim tape creates an airtight seal between the bladder and spoke holes. The 19mm front tape and 24mm rear tape match standard Tubliss bladder dimensions. Running generic tape in a Tubliss setup risks bladder damage and pressure loss.
Valve Stem Seals
Bolt rim lock kits include replacement valve stem O-rings. Valve stem seals need replacement every 12 to 24 months in off-road use due to dirt ingress and UV degradation. Replacing both at the same service interval is standard practice.
Frequently asked questions
What rim tape width do I need for a 150-section rear tyre?
A 150 to 190-section tyre on a 16, 17 or 18-inch rim typically requires 60mm rim tape to fully cover the spoke nipple holes across the rim bed. Narrower tape leaves the edges of the spoke holes exposed, which can cut through the tube under load.
Do I need a rim lock if I am running a Tubliss system?
No. The Tubliss system replaces the standard tube and rim lock with a high-pressure inner bladder and a low-pressure outer chamber. The bladder itself provides the bead lock function. You do need Tubliss-specific rim tape, which is stocked in 19mm front and 24mm rear widths to match standard Tubliss bladder dimensions.
How often should rim tape be replaced?
Rim tape should be inspected any time the tyre is removed and replaced if it shows cracking, lifting at the edges or compression marks from spoke nipples. In active off-road use, replacing tape every tyre change is standard practice. Old tape that has set a fold or crease should never be reused as the fold creates a concentrated pressure point against the tube.



























