[altix]

Hey everybody, over the years I have either not put any sort of protection on my bike, or very rarely. I was wondering if anyone has found anything cheap that works. I would like a lot of it so maybe a roll or something. I've looked around at my hardware stores, but I cannot find anything thin or thick enough. The last bike I had I used some really cool stuff that came on a roll my dad found at the NAPA in Granby during nationals last year. We threw away the package and cannot find it anywhere. It was good stuff too, really light and sticky. Anyways, if any of you know exactly what to get thank you!.

 

[Supa8]

I use this.

http://www.shop3m.com/70006021003.html

Very tough stuff and one roll will last generations maybe multiple generations.

 

[Commencal-guy]

I swear by Factory Effex Clear Vinyl. I believe it comes in 3 sheets of 12 X 19 Vinyl that comes in all sorts of colors. It's nice and tough and won't peel off like others i've used. Also it's really cheap. $15.00. I've been using it on my bikes and have had awesome success.


A little tip. when you cut out the Vinyl, round off the edges. This helps prevent the vinyl to peel over, over time when riding / cleaning the frame.

 

[Commencal-guy]

This is the magic


http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/191/4275/ITEM/Factory-Effex-Universal-Number-Plate-Backgrounds.aspx?SiteID=SLI%7CFactory%20Effex&WT.MC_ID=10010

 

[Da Peach]

Shoe goo!

 

[ph4se_1]

I use google.

http://www.biketart.com/products/biketape

 

[bullcrew]

Convex vinyl (15 ml, chemical resistant, etc). Commonly.the actualmaterial used for mx by printers and the suppliers out of chicago.

A sign shop should be able to get a sample...or look online. 3m is good doubled up...

 

[mtg]

I have a roll of 14mil helicopter tape and used it on both of my current bikes, it works pretty well.

Helicopter Tape

 

[bogusbill]

www.crankskins.com

 

[bullcrew]

I have a roll of 14mil helicopter tape and used it on both of my current bikes, it works pretty well.

Helicopter Tape

Good advice right here, looked at his link and X2 on helicopter tape... Easier to get than convex...

 

[IH8Rice]

ive been using this stuff with good results. its also fairly thick at .030"

http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight_protection.asp
you can order it in any size you want
http://www.xpel.com/products/bulk.asp

 

[johnnypop]

I've been using moto vinyl (not sure if it's factory effex or not) with good luck... thick, strong and sticky. Doesn't leave much residue either if you're cleaning the bike up for resale.

 

[NY_Star]

I swear by Factory Effex Clear Vinyl. I believe it comes in 3 sheets of 12 X 19 Vinyl that comes in all sorts of colors. It's nice and tough and won't peel off like others i've used. Also it's really cheap. $15.00. I've been using it on my bikes and have had awesome success.


A little tip. when you cut out the Vinyl, round off the edges. This helps prevent the vinyl to peel over, over time when riding / cleaning the frame.

Im with you on using this stuff. I have only been putting it on the underside of the downtube but it has worked great for that.

 

[rayhaan]

there is this rather interesting stuff I came across on the cantitoe road website, see link and video, seems to be very good at protecting frames.

http://www.cantitoeroad.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=279

 

[stballer13]

I use Xpel as well. The stuff is great. Goes on fairly easily with alcohol solution and comes off with no residue left behind. Have done multiple bikes and so far have not had to replace it after 2 seasons.

 

[Horror Business]

Thanks for posting, I was about to start the same thread.

 

[4130biker]

If you're in a hurry and don't care about looks as much, I got some clear plastic from the local hobby shop. It's a milky color, but has been protecting my cf cranks very nicely from the gritty/muddy riding I've been doing with my bow-legged riding stance.

 

[birdman2447]

http://www.shop3m.com/3m-scotchgard-paint-protection-film-5hzbgzhklw.html

by far the strongest film out there, napa carries it but its pricey and ebay is the cheapest place to buy it. Its a urethane and leagues above the vinyl in terms of durability. I have almost every surface of my gt fury covered with it and after a season of dh it is still like new. I would highly recommend it, the prices on the 3m site are crazy, vendors on ebay sell an auto bra sized piece for $30-40 that could cover a few bikes.

 

[jasonvelocity]

Did you order online, or do you know a local place?

 

[Pslide]

Do all of these materials leave the paint finish on the bike when you peel them off?

That's my biggest gripe, I used some helicopter tape and it brought some of the paint/finish off with it when I peeled it off. Decided this kind of protection wasn't worth it after that.

 

[-BB-]

Hey everybody, over the years I have either not put any sort of protection on my bike, or very rarely.

So do you use the "Rhythm Method" then?


Seriously though, I was looking at similar materials recently for a new frame purchase that is on the near horizon.

Here are some that I was looking at:
http://www.tapebrothers.com/Tape-Brothers-Premium-Carbon-Fiber-and-Diamond-Plate-Tapes-s/336.htm

 

[SkullCrack]

Did you order online, or do you know a local place?

I got mine on eBay.

http://stores.ebay.com/DCB-Vehicle-Protection?_trksid=p4340.l2563

I also recently installed the Shelter film rayhaan mentioned. It's much thicker than the 3M clear film, but only comes in a 2" width. I used it on the bottom of my downtube, but it would also be good on the chainstay.

 

[-BB-]

This is the other stuff I was looking at.

Ideally I'd like some sort of black carbon fiber or Kevlar tape that I could use for chainstays etc.

http://cshyde.thomasnet.com/viewitems/tapes-with-psa/gories-tapes-with-adhesive-para-arimid-kevlar-ptfe?&forward=1

 

[cshewmake7]

3M Rubber Mastic

Only at Lowes. It's not clear, but it's by far the best I've come across.

 

[Metal Dude]

I am looking for colored, well black film that is wider than 2" - ANYBODY?

 

[jasonvelocity]

Agreed, it's what I run now. I have to change it out once or twice a year as it starts to smear around a bit.

 

[worship_mud]

I swear by Factory Effex Clear Vinyl. I believe it comes in 3 sheets of 12 X 19 Vinyl that comes in all sorts of colors. It's nice and tough and won't peel off like others i've used. Also it's really cheap. $15.00. I've been using it on my bikes and have had awesome success.


A little tip. when you cut out the Vinyl, round off the edges. This helps prevent the vinyl to peel over, over time when riding / cleaning the frame.

bought this at CRC and it works really, really good! not too thick, not too thin and sticks well. had to peel off some patches, because i placed them wrong and there were no residues left on the frame. i cleaned the frame with 98% alcohol before applying and it stuck really good. recommended.

 

[richhouseman]

Crankskins!

 

[-BB-]

Any of yuo guys ever try out those diamond-plate downtube protectors that Go-ride sold? Those things rocked. It was like 1/8in thick aluminum diamondplate that was rounded a bit. With a little elbo grease you could get it to fit most diameter tubes. I guess this was back in the day though when most bikes had straight-tubes though. With all these new hydro-form Al and Carbon frames they aren't as universal as they were before. Prob why they stopped selling them.

They certainly stood up though!!

 

[quickneonrt]

there is this rather interesting stuff I came across on the cantitoe road website, see link and video, seems to be very good at protecting frames.

http://www.cantitoeroad.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=279

I just put this stuff on my M9 downtube and bought an extra package for my Tracer 2, hopefully it works as well as it looks.

 

[DHDreams]

I just got a new frame and want to protect it too. Thanks for the ideas! I need to check out some of these products.