Clear Frame Patches - any good??

ForumNewbie

I have a couple of marks on each side of the front fork which I have now realised have come from cable rub. As I recently raised the bars with an adjustable stem, this has made the gear cables a bit more taught when the front wheel is turned and the paint has rubbed off down to the metal a bit on either side.

I have managed to get some matching touch-up paint. After touching up with the paint, I was thinking of buying and sticking on these clear frames patches (Wiggle and some other bike retailers here stock them);
http://lizardskins.com/products/view_pr ... e_number=1

These look as if they would be quite tough and durable but I'm just hoping that the patches don't eventually rub through or it will make a bit of a mess if I have to pull them off again - as I guess a lot of paint would come off with the patches.

Anyone used them? Are they any good?

Smokin Joe

I use them. They are tough enough to never having to worry about the cable rubbing through and they come off without lifting the paint.

aracer

I use helicopter tape as sold at http://www.justridingalong.co.uk/shop.p ... product=36 - it works better than any of the more normal patches I've tried before.

Diogenes

I use them, have had the same ones on for about 2 years without any problems, and no cable rub damage.

D

heavymental

halfords ones are ok too.

PHcp

I use the clear Park puncture patches, work perfect except don't try removing one.

ForumNewbie

Thanks for all the replies.

I'll definitely give the patches a try. It's good to know they are tough yet they come off without lifting the paint. That's why I am not keen on using puncture patches.

pete.whelan

I use a carbon effect vinyl patch, though for your biit on the forks clear patches would be best.

The clear patches can work well, just not too good on small radius tubes, they have a tendancy to lift at the edges and get dirt under them and then look grotty.

Just make sure you clean the frame well before applying them so as to get the best adhesion.

If you do need to take them off, then they will probably be OK off of most frames. Clean up remnant adhesive with a bit of WD40.

I make the carbon effect patches for £2 an A5 sheet of varying size ovals

ForumNewbie

pete.whelan wrote:

I use a carbon effect vinyl patch, though for your biit on the forks clear patches would be best.

The clear patches can work well, just not too good on small radius tubes, they have a tendancy to lift at the edges and get dirt under them and then look grotty.

Just make sure you clean the frame well before applying them so as to get the best adhesion.

If you do need to take them off, then they will probably be OK off of most frames. Clean up remnant adhesive with a bit of WD40.

I make the carbon effect patches for £2 an A5 sheet of varying size ovals

Thanks Pete,

I'll bear that in mind.

scherrit

I've used helicopter tape and something bizzarely called freezer tape for protection and for the millions of computer cables running around my bike. Works for a few months, and then doesn't yank the paint off when I remove it.

Second the suggection to clean the frame properly before you use the tape/pads white spirit and then meths.
Good luck,
S.

SteveR_100Milers

Another vote here for the clear ones from woggle. Mandatory on a carbon frame if you want to avoid wearing the lacquer off.

tirnanog

I have used patches cut out of heavy duty clear tape (not Sellotape!) for years. It obviously works out at a fraction of the propriety patches.

ForumNewbie

I bought some of these Lizard Skins 'clear' frame patches, and am disappointed to find that there is a grey Lizard Skins branded symbol on the patch. When I ordered them and even when I saw them at first I assumed that the patch was totally clear and that the company brand was just on the backing that you peel off, but it's actually on the patch.

They are sold as clear patches as they supposedly protect your frame from cable rub without being seen, so I'm a bit annoyed and have not yet stuck them on.

giant_man

send them back saying they're not good enough if I were you, particularly as you haven't used them.

ForumNewbie

giant mancp wrote:

send them back saying they're not good enough if I were you, particularly as you haven't used them.

In the absence of a better option I opened them and stuck two patches on the frame the other day. As it is a grey logo and my bike has a silver frame it doesn't stand out too much.

trig1

i got mine from wiggle cheap as chips n they are tip top!