Frametape

Yeah. If you intend to get frametape, definitely get it for the downtube and nothing else. That's the one spot that's going to get abused by rocks and debris thrown by the front wheel. I've got a few dings there myself and I most likely will get a tape to protect it from further damage.

The next obvious spot might be the chainstay (which, admittedly, is where most will have frametape) but I'd suggest to get a neoprene chainstay guard instead, as it also makes chainslapping quiet.

I've seen frametape that's supposed to protect the frame from "slapping bowden cables" and I'm like "are you kidding me?" The downtube and chainstay can really use the protection though.

Ross Gardner wrote:

Is there any real difference from manufacturer to manufacturer?

Oh and yeah: chain stay protectors are a must.

Honestly, I don't there is much of a difference. This is the category of stuff I buy exclusively from Aliexpress, because it's pretty much guaranteed to be the same stuff you buy locally, just for a fraction of the price.
Just a quick search, you can get something like this

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/1pc-100-15cm-PVC-Bicycle-Frame-Protector-Rhino-Skin-Protector-Stickers-Decal-Cycling-MTB-Bike-Protected/2393083_32710728017.html

Unless you want something that will protect the frame from landing on larger rocks, then you need to go heavy duty.

Aforementioned helicopter tape if you care but don't want to be too obvious.
If you just want the best kind of protection, do as demonstrated in the picture below

In case you're wondering, yeah, it's a used tire. I'm not too much into AM or DH, but i hear it's not really as uncommon as one might think.

I use clear "Gorilla" tape - it's great and is a fraction of the price of helitape. It goes on great and is strong enough to protect against most scrapes.
A roll is only something like a fiver from Amazon and there is plenty on there to replace when necessary. It doesn't appear to "yellow" like some of the cheap, sold as "helitape" does

daff wrote:

I use clear "Gorilla" tape - it's great and is a fraction of the price of helitape. It goes on great and is strong enough to protect against most scrapes.
A roll is only something like a fiver from Amazon and there is plenty on there to replace when necessary. It doesn't appear to "yellow" like some of the cheap, sold as "helitape" does

that is a good idea.

currently I am using 3M protective film spray but the Gorilla tape definitely will be stronger but just thought of using Gorilla tape that way.

Crazyjenkins01 wrote:

That tyre idea is brill, looks pretty cool too!
Might have to spray an old tyre white to match the Boss's colours!

You need to prick around with the tire and overall setup for the bike to not look like a raider barricade from Fallout 3, but I'm actually surprised that such a ghetto setup can look so respectable. I've seen a bike IRL that had similar thing going on. At first I was staring at it, wondering what's strange about that bike's downtube. When I looked closer, my mind got split into thousands of small fragments and dispersed rapidly into nearby surroundings.
When it comes to actual protection, It's one of the best solutions. Cheap and dependable.

Qube wrote:

I use this stuff....

http://ebay.eu/2j25HPg

Doesn't wash off and no yellowing after a few years on the bike.

Soften it up with a hairdryer first and it goes on a treat.

Like phone screen cover. Pain to stick them on and curve them around the bike.

Did that on two of the bike. Took whole day to get that thing on all over the bike. But they are still on it after 5 years.