Abstract: Methods and apparatus for winding a tape having a leader employ a tape winding hub and peripheral drive capstan means including an outer sleeve of elastic material. The peripheral drive capstan means is provided with a circumferential recess having a certain depth. The tape winding hub has a circumferential rim of a height larger than the latter depth. The tape winding hub and the peripheral drive capstan means are juxtaposed for rotation about parallel axes. The tape winding hub and the peripheral drive capstan means are biased toward each other, with the rim spacing the sleeve of elastic material from the tape winding hub by engaging the peripheral drive capstan means in the mentioned recess. For an operation of the tape winding assembly, the rim is removed from the mentioned recess and is covered with the tape leader. The leader is wound on the tape winding hub to provide an essentially cylindrical support for the tape.