New bike, frame protection and bottle cages

theMagician

I've just purchased a new bike and want to make sure it looks it's best for as long as possible, so looking at getting some helitape. http://www.vikingtapes.co.uk/c-682-bike ... CnDy_ldV8F

Anyone had any experience of using this to protect the frame from wear and tear. Any other suggestions?

Also I am looking at getting some new bottle cages for the bike, I'd like them to be as light weight as possible, but also retain the bottles through all the rough stuff. Last thing I want on a XC event is to loss a bottle.

Any suggestions. I narrowed it down to either one of these.

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/arundel_dav ... e-ID_61083
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/blackburn_c ... e-ID_61105

Thanks in advance.

oxocube1

I know that a few people on here have had invisiframe kits fitted. I've fitted one myself to a customer's bike and it wasn't that difficult to do. Just requires a bit of patience/time, an old mucoff bottle with water in it, and a hair dryer.

cooldad

£25-£35 for a bottle cage? On a mountain bike? That's nuts. IMHO of course.

How about £1.99.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380745280028?var=650169363784

Once again, my opinion, but a bit of helitape on rub areas is enough. And a coating of crud.

apreading

I would get one of these cages: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bon ... 504#select

in pink if you want one really cheap!

£25-£35 is madness on a mountain bike. With all the crud and slding the bottle in and out they should be considered comsumable items as the finish gets messed up in a couple of wet/muddy rides. And the saving from carbon just isnt worth it here.

Most people rave about these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-custom-ra ... 5360469860 but I prefer the Bontrager I linked above.

qube

Get the Helitape.... stick it on with a hairdryer to soften the tape slightly, makes things much easier.

njee20

I use these cages on the MTB, they're light, they last well and don't look tatty, they don't scuff bottles as badly as plastic/carbon and they hold bottles solid.