Carbon Frame Protection

Fabius

Hi,

I'm going to be buying a carbon frame Cube and I want to make sure that when it arrives the first thing I do is protect it in the right places and in the right way.

It's been recommended that I cable tie a piece of inner tube to the chainstay (sounds like a good idea) and I guess that I can use helicopter tape to get the bits where cables will rub.

My query is about the places where stones and rocks flicking up could cause more significant damage, heli tape won't be any good for the down tube or the bottom bracket if it takes a hit, will it? So what do people use? Are there specialist products that cover the BB for example?

I don't mind spending a few quid on this to get it proper and I'm not fussed about a few extra ounces it the right stuff is heavy.

Fabius

Incidentally, as a quick follow up, I thought the the grip that you can get for tennis/squash rackets might do a good job too? Anyone used this?

owenlars

Definitely copter tape for cable rub. Lizard Skins do some good chain stay protectors and it seems sensible to buy something designed to do the job rather than a bodge. Not sure that I have ever heard of anyone protecting the down tube or the BB shell.

I think the point of protection is to protect against self inflicted damage such as cable rub or chain slap, in other words where you can predict damage will happen. If you want to protect against stones or accidental scrapes you probably need to wrap the whole bike in cling film ;-).

Mind you I am road biased rather than MTB, still reckon those principles seem reasonable for MTB though

Fabius

Yeah I did think to myself where do you stop. But I also have a mate who had a stone (probably more likely a sizeable flint) flick up and puncture the BB and that is probably the most vulnerable and most important bit of the frame, so if there is something that I can apply then it might save tears later.

jairaj

Fabius wrote:

My query is about the places where stones and rocks ******* up could cause more significant damage, heli tape won't be any good for the down tube or the bottom bracket if it takes a hit, will it? So what do people use? Are there specialist products that cover the BB for example?

I use a bike that's been designed correctly for purpose, occasionally you get unlucky but on the whole the bike should be designed to take these forces. but if you really must put some sort of protection have a look on ebay there are many downtube guards available.

Fabius

Well we're all kind of in the hands of the bike manufacturers with regards fit for purpose. I agree, occasionally you do get unlucky and you shouldn't expect it to happen, but if it should and I have to buy a new frame for hundreds when a 'fit for purpose' designed bit of plastic/rubber/other could have stopped it for a few quid and little weight/aesthetic/performance downside then it might be worth it - for some people.

I can't afford to replace the contents of my house if it burns down, so I insure it. I can't afford to replace the frame of my bike if it gets damaged, so I look for options to insure against it. Perhaps a financial insurance contract is a better option, as it would probably include lots of other worthwhile benefits?

Many people could tell me not to bother, but I ride with a guy who got unlucky so I'd still want to explore the options offered up by the people who do bother too (as there must be such people, or products wouldn't exist).

cooldad

You could cover it in steel.

bazza333

Stone chips may happen but are unlikely to trash the frame although I will do my best to protect it but my main concern is chain suck. I was thinking of glueing a small ally plate to the chainstay. Any better ideas?

BigStu2

Buy a lizzard skins chain stay protector, much nicer looking than an inner tube on a new bike.
I've used bike sheild on my carbon bikes and it seems to hold up well, even use it on the top tube of my cross if I happen to sit on it with a muddy arse it wont get scratched, but as for rockstrikes, ones flying up from the front wheel will have little effect but a boulder that you slam into would possibly damage any frame, best you learn to float like a butterfly.

mike464646

I just got a Carbon hard tail mountain bike - bloody great bike! I had the same concerns re- stone chips etc. I used heli tape in many places (Doubled up on the down tube) In one place that was oddly shaped and hard to tape, that takes a lot of debris flung at it from the rear wheel, I used a strip of old inner tube held in place with plastic ties - works great. I would like a bit more protection on the bottom of my BB bracket so will eventually cover that with some "Shelter" tape. There are also cheap MTB guards at your local bike shop which would stop everything thrown at it - I don't always want to ride with these guards on though.

The Rookie

I see little point having a lightweight carbon frame and adding so much protection it weighs more than a decent alloy frame!

Chain stay protector by Lizard skins and maybe some copter tabe on the downtube, to avoid chainsuck make sure the chain and wheel are in good condition (to suite your expensive carbon frame) and don't look like they came off a 10 year old BSO.