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Top tube protection strips? (and chain protection)

ScrumpleScrumple Posts: 2,666
edited September 2008 in Workshop
Top tube protection strips?

Twice now my carbon bike has been left resting on its saddle, and idiots have knocked it so to it falls on to the side of the top tube.

We all know that's the place that a bike scratches!

Is there any sensible product on sale to stop this (please, no suggestions of draft excluder, sweat bands, rubber tyres etc.!).

I'm thinking maybe a carbon strip like the chain protector ones, or stick on film to add resiliance to that area... just in case. I could use book cover film, but want to know if there is a proper designed solution.
Cheers


(on another point, is a carbon chain protector strip useful on a carbon bike? I known they protect the paint on alu bikes, but they must also work for the resin on carbon frames?)

Posts

  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    3M Helicopter tape - search on ebay/google, it's a clear thick polyurethane self-adhesive tape the same stuff that they make the frame protector strips
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • ExeterSimonExeterSimon Posts: 830
    You could try some of this stuff:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Sport ... 300003844/
    Whyte 905 (2009)
    Trek 1.5 (2009)
    Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp (2007)
  • TiBoyTiBoy Posts: 366
    Most shops sell bike sheild which is a clear frame protector kit, it is quite thick so which means it takes a lot to get through it but its is near invisable when applied correctly. I have it on 2 of my bikes one of which is a very well used winter hack, after a 3000 miles you can deffinatly tell the bits that don't have it on. Don't be fooled by thinking a full bike kit will cover a whole bike. I recently needed 2 kits to cover top tube, down tube and 2 chain stays and there is still quite a bit of the bike still exposed. At £20 a kit it is not too bad but if you want to use 2 or 3 kits it starts to get expensive. Very please with it though, well worth the money to protect the bike.
    Sunday September Ultegra SL
    Raleigh and BSA single speed
    Specialised Rockhopper comp disc
    And some others
  • ScrumpleScrumple Posts: 2,666
    http://www.justridingalong.com/shop.php ... aea47d9643

    Think I will get this. Any downsides to applying it to a £1000 Carbon road bike?

    (Planet X SL carbon - most likely do the cable rub areas, chain, top tube, and bottom of the crank only?)
  • araceraracer Posts: 1,649
    I've got that stuff from JRA protecting the cable rub areas on my £2000 carbon road bike, so I can't see why not. Not really sure I understand how your top tube got damaged though - I don't have any protection on tubes (not even chainstay).
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