chain stay protectors and rubbing points? are they needed?

dubcat

When I bought my mountain bike I knew nothing about chain stay protectors. I just went out and rode it. After a few days of riding I noticed that my chain stay looked like it had been attacked by a machette That's when I found out what chain stay protectors do.

Now I have a new road bike coming - my first. Do you guys use chain stay protectors? I don't want the same thing to happen to this bike.

In addition to this I have read that some people put protection on 'rubbing' points. Where are these points and what kind of protection do you use? I have noticed that the pain has worn off my crank where my shoes rub against them - is that what they mean?

Thanks,
Dub

mfin

http://www.biketart.com/76/products/biketape-invisible-frame-protection.aspx

...that's what a lot of people use, Id order 5cm width in a 2metre length, that will be plenty enough to do a bike and have some spare.

I use a cutting mat and scalpel with a metal rule and can make all the pieces I need to protect a bike, that'll include for me:

1. Chainstay protector (can be made out of several pieces if needed, but most times I can make the right piece out of one length.
2. Non drive side protector, I use a piece 'just in case' my heel were to ever scrape the non drive stay, just in the zone where this could happen
3. Crank arms, I cover the crank arms, and then the logos etc never wear off if I wear overshoes etc which may come into contact with them
4. All points where a cable touches/might touch the frame

This stuff has a backing you peel off.

You also hear this stuff referred to as copter tape or helicopter tape, and you can buy it off eBay etc, this BikeTape stuff is Scotch 3M and really high quality.

Its pretty invisible when it goes on the bike, and its very hard wearing... if you're applying to curvy surfaces like some chainstays etc, look up the technique of wetting the surface then 'floating it on' to this wet surface, you can then use a heatgun or hairdryer on it which pulls it to the curvy shape. Its a bit of an art, but worth mastering on some bikes. The main art for most people is mastering not getting any fingerprints on the corners you hold once the backing is off, but there's plenty of common-sense ways of avoiding this.

What's good about it is you can cut the exact bits you need for any bike and you don't end up covering the bike in lots of black fabric bits or whatever. Some people use little sleeves on cables at the point they will rub, but they're a bit ugly and its easier to use a bit of this, and tidier.

EDIT: Id do all this before you even ride the bike, cos some contact points will mark up in just a ride or two and then they'll be marked forever. (another good place to put a bit is under the fork crown, that will mark, although you'll never see it ...if you do all the above, good chance if you ever sell the frame or bike you can sell it looking in fantastic near to as new as possible condition)

ajb72

Hi. Chainstay and frame protectors are a must if you want to keep your pride and joy looking pristine. British weather means rain and grit getting into the nooks and crannies of your bike, so a cable rubbing against the frame will wear the paint down in no time. Similarly, chain rub is probably unavoidable with chain clatter, the odd dropped chain etc.

You don't need to spend a fortune to protect these areas though. Depending on your frame colour you could use a layer or two of electrical tape - a couple of long strips on the chain stay for double thickness and a small section where the cables touch the frame when turning your handlebars. This is easy to replace and doesn't leave a sticky mess on the frame. Alternatively you can pick up frame protector stickers or chain stay protectors form the usual sources.

amaferanga

Have a look on eBay for helicopter tape. Its just the same as the stuff in the above link, but costs a lot less since its not 'bike' branded. It'll stick better than electrical tape as well and won't leave any sticky residue.

dubcat

Thanks guys - so this stuff will stop my chain scratching up the chainstay? It does not seem thick enough to do that. On my MTB I use a thick piece of material with velcro to hold it on which is designed for exactly this purpose.

I NOW understand what cable rub means thanks to your posts. So you basically just stick a patch any place the cable might touch the frame. Got it.

Thanks guys. I will check out ebay.

dubcat

Sorry just want to make sure i get the locations right:

- drive side chain stay (to stop chain damage)
- non drive side chain stay (to stop heels damaging it)
- cranks (to stop shoes rubbing)
- the points where the cables touch the frame (up front mostly as far as i can see, anywhere else?)

Where else should i stick it? Anywhere I am missing?

mfin

Dubcat wrote:

Thanks guys - so this stuff will stop my chain scratching up the chainstay? It does not seem thick enough to do that. On my MTB I use a thick piece of material with velcro to hold it on which is designed for exactly this purpose.

I NOW understand what cable rub means thanks to your posts. So you basically just stick a patch any place the cable might touch the frame. Got it.

Thanks guys. I will check out ebay.

Yes, its thick enough to do the job needed. Remember on a MTB you get chain slap, on a Road Bike you are very unlikely to have contact, but are protecting against the odd scenario.

mfin

Dubcat wrote:

Sorry just want to make sure i get the locations right:

- drive side chain stay (to stop chain damage)
- non drive side chain stay (to stop heels damaging it)
- cranks (to stop shoes rubbing)
- the points where the cables touch the frame (up front mostly as far as i can see, anywhere else?)

Where else should i stick it? Anywhere I am missing?

Some people wouldnt even do all those things, just the Chainstay drive side and cable rub points, but if you wanna do the best job, then Id do all those points myself.

Some copter tape on eBay isn't as good, some is the same, a friend eBayed some and it was a waste of time. If you can find some identical stuff get it, its only a few quid anyway though.

dubcat

Considering the low cost of this stuff i am just going to buy the stuff from Bike Tart. I only have one bike I will use it on and I assume the stuff stays on for ages.

mfin

Yes, it stays on, it wont lift.

Dont worry if you cock a piece up and get bubbles, start with the smaller bits and get used to it. If you get a bubble you can also pin prick the bubbles, or with the end of a scalpel blade.

If you're handy with a scalpel then get a metal handle off eBay and some 10A blades, they're easiest to work with, and dont bother with a handle with a knarled screw to grip the blades, just one of the swann type ones that the blades clip onto.

(My mate does it all with a pair of sharp scissors though, and he's done it real well).

janwal

I use copter tape off ebay on rubbing points but for my chainstay I used these, or similar from ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cycle-Chainst ... 289wt_1037
The black carbon effect looks good on the frame and sticks really well.

dubcat

Janwal that stuff looks cool. Will check it out.

Guys - on the frame do you apply helitape to the whole frame or just in strips where it might get a hit? For example - would you apply it at all to the top bar? On the bar connecting the BB to the head/forks area.. would you apply all over that tube or just a strip underneath the bar?

If you do apply it all over do you apply it long ways along the tube or do you wrap it round and round the tube?