Frame wrapping and ceramic protection

joah · January 15

Hi all, another question.

Given that this is quite a big purchase for me, and I intend to keep the bike a long time, just wondering what the thoughts are around having the frame wrapped (Invisiframe, Ride Wrap, etc.). It's quite expensive (c. £100 for the wrap + another £150 odd for fitting - I don't trust myself to do it well myself so I would get it done).

I guess it's really just a question of how much value do I put on the bike looking good, or are there other factors to consider?

The LBS also offered to put on a ceramic protection (c.£40) - though I'm thinking this is unnecessary as I don't intend riding in very muddy conditions and I can just clean the bike myself. Or is it still good to apply?

Thanks again!

Josh

daniel_b · January 15

I've made two fairly big investments (for me) although not MTB based, one is a road bike that I plan to keep forever (New groupset, wheels, handlebars, saddle etc, you get the idea), and a gravel bike that is serving duty as a light off roader, family bike, winter bike and commuter.

Both for different reasons I felt were worthwhile in investing in some paint protection, especially as the more modern paints are far less resilient than they used to be - I had both fitted when the bikes were new and unused, so no real dirt to clean off them.

At the time, there was a chap fairly local to me who offered the service, he scanned the bikes, and laser cut the protection film, and then spent an absolute age fitting it until he had it as perfect as he could - the cost was ~£300 per bike, which is pretty much what you are looking at, and I agree, I'd be on a hiding to nothing trying to fit it, so in my situation, much better to get it fitted by a pro.

Most people do not see the film at all, and I have to point it out, as he's cut it really well to disguise the edges.

Regrettably he wasn't able to make enough of a living out of it, so has gone back to his former line of work, but should I ever be in a similar situation I think I will try and seek a similar service out.

steve_sordy · January 15

I can't offer an opinion on the ceramic protection as I've never used it. I'd have to Google it to get some user experience.

I can give an opinion on frame wrapping. I have no doubt that it does the job of protecting your bike, but I don't believe that it is value for money. I mean £250!! That is a very decent fork upgrade or a lot of spares for your transmission and tyres.

What I do is to buy some bike tape and use that. It is also known as helicopter tape because a slightly thicker version is used on the leading edges of helicopter blades to reduce erosion in dusty climates). I buy several metres of the tape and apply it to the surfaces that get damaged. Like the downtube (bottom and sides) the chain and seat stays, back of the chain stay brace (the wheel throws a lot of grit at it), you could do the head tube (I only do it because my first full suss got six stone chips there on my first ride!). The thing is you can do anywhere you like, you can put a double layer in places where you believe that you need extra protection.

And then, if you wish, you can remove and replace parts that have got damaged (try that with a frame wrap).

When you come to sell, you could offer to remove the tape or to leave it, at the buyer's option. It doesn't take long at all, just use a hairdryer to help loosen it. Wipe over with IPA and it's as good as new!

It is easier than you think to get a really good finish. Because of many threads like this I started a thread on another mtb website (long since defunct) and added to my own write up on how to do it. I believe that it has the input of about 5 people. Send me a message with your email address and I will send you a copy of the two-page guide. Not only free, but tax freel! :)

The only bike I tried but decided not to complete the job was on a satin black Norco Sight. The frame looked as though there was condensation underneath the tape. I believe that the frame was not painted but anodised. I never got a single paint chip on the bike, just scratches that were easily touched up. All I did were some small areas to avoid cable rub.

daniel_b · January 15

If you are, for example, spending 6k on a bike though, £250 is a pretty small percentage of that purchase price, and I feel I can easily argue that if I'm either looking to keep it for ages/forever, that the cost of keeping the paint in excellent condition is well worth it, and likewise if I ever want to sell it on.

I did buy, and apply some wrap to my 9 year old daughters bike, and although it does a job for a fraction of the price, I wouldn't have wanted to try it on my own bike - others may be far more skilled at it however.

I guess as with most things in life, it all comes down to your budget, and what you feel you can justify based on what you are looking to achieve.

joah · January 15

Many thanks both, that's very helpful and lots of food for thought.

Steve I'll message you - I actually wanted to ask for the video you used to recommend on suspension tuning (maybe from GMBN or Bikeradar).

Webboo2 · January 15

Just googled bike frame re sprays and they are less than 200 quid. Seems a bit of a false economy to get your frame wrapped. Given hitting a rock probably will go through the wrapping.

pblakeney · January 15

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21111701#Comment_21111701

I'd query the quality of work at that price. One well respected company quoted me £1300. I declined obviously but £200 sounds very cheap.

Webboo2 · January 15

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21111706#Comment_21111706

£1300 😱 was that gold leaf plated. You could a decent new frame for that. I think the place came with about 140 for standard 160 was for a fancy finish. Other than the prep before painting, the time and paint for a bike frame must in the tens rather than the hundreds.

daniel_b · 8:57AM

Looking up Argos bikes, who are 'fairly' well regarded with regards to resprays, they are quoting £250 - £300, but note this is NOT for Carbon, only for steel and aluminium.

Carbon is a POA exercise with them, though internet suggests £450 - £1000 for a carbon frame and forks, and both of my wrapped bikes fall into that category.

A fairly substantial cost/time is going to be stripping the frame of parts, and then refitting them afterwards.

I don't generally have the time these days, nor the expertise for hydraulic brakes, or the patience for internal cabling, so I'd be forking out for both ends of that exercise, which at least for one bike would be at least £300, then on top you have got the courier costs in both directions, not to mention of course, you are without the bike for the duration.

Webboo2 · 10:25AM

Dan

You say you are planning to keep your bike forever, just keep replacing various parts hence the frame wrap. When I retired from work I bought my forever bike a Focus Ialzco max with Dura ace mechanical and rim brakes. Currently I can still get replacement parts but for how much longer. I suspect this will continue to be the case for all bikes so even with frame in perfect condition the resale value is always going to be less than you think it’s worth.

So I just enjoy riding my bikes and accept the chips and knocks as part of the deal.

daniel_b · 10:34AM

Hey Webboo,

to be fair, as it's my best bike, and I have others that get lots more use, and it only goes out in optimum conditions, it's not going to be covering much mileage in the grand scheme of things.

I was fortunate enough to be able to fit it with the current 12sp dura ace, so I'd have thought that would still be in reasonable supply for a few years yet, and if that looks not to be the case, I'd stock up on chains, cassettes, and perhaps a new chainset or the cogs at least.

Like you, I have previously accepted the knocks, and dings etc, but as this was THE bike I wanted, in the exact colour I wanted and now have it specced exactly as I wanted it, I thought it was worth protecting the frame for a little bit of extra peace of mind.

The resale value to me, is neither here or there, as mentioned, I plan to keep it forever - though I do feel that if I had to sell it, it would appeal to more people with the full wrap in place - but that's merely my opinion, and only based on what would attract me if I was looking.

Webboo2 · 10:52AM

As I said my Focus was going to be forever bike. However I’ve since bought a winter bike and when Mrs W retired she suggested I bought a new bike, this was before she saw the price of bikes these days. So I have a new forever bike but with lower but electronic group set and discs. It weighs slightly more than the Focus at 7kg but that’s compensated that it has 11 to 34 cassette.

However maybe I should get it wrapped so it’s still in perfect condition when I need to trade it in for an electric assisted model in a few years time.😂😂😂

daniel_b · 12:35PM

Ah I totally missed the fact your first forever bike had been usurped!

I think I managed to get mine down to 6.8kg with discs and all mounts/cages etc, which I was rather pleased with.

I've got a 52/36 up front, and a 11/30 on the back, but have an 11-34 in stock with a new chain, for when I eventually take it into the mountains.

Spot on re the price of bikes, my dream build has been pricey for sure, but I think it unlikely I will be buying anything off the peg anytime soon, road bike wise at least.

I am hoping to secure a Brompton G line later this year, which would be my first Brompton, and I am feeling a bit of an itch for a full susser, but prices on those, especially in the sales still seem to be what I would call entirely reasonable.

I wouldn't look to trade my forever bike in, if it came to a point where I couldn't ride it, I'd hope my daughter or a family member would be willing to be gifted it, as by then it would be a classic 🤣

Hopefully our electric assistance years are a good way off, and who knows, by then maybe there will be much more choice on integrated upgrades for existing bikes, beyond the current hub based systems.

Frame wrapping and ceramic protection

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