The world of owning high/higher end bikes is new to me and I’d like to protect the paint from chips and dings if possible. Primarily I’m only concerned with the downtube & chainstays. My bikes are carbon, but I’d assume the same products would apply for a steel bike. I’m aware of the 3M PPF clear tape, but am unaware of how easy it is to apply. Any and all info is appreciated.
I use 3M tape. It seems to work great once applied. I've had better success applying it wet with water than dry. Every time I've applied it dry, bubbles have formed.
I've also had success with this company and the products they sell. I use it on the downtube and chainstays.
The products work great and the owner is very responsive to customer questions and requests.
biglmbass wrote:The world of owning high/higher end bikes is new to me and I’d like to protect the paint from chips and dings if possible. Primarily I’m only concerned with the downtube & chainstays. My bikes are carbon, but I’d assume the same products would apply for a steel bike. I’m aware of the 3M PPF clear tape, but am unaware of how easy it is to apply. Any and all info is appreciated.
Some people will tell you that it is silly and that "bikes are made to be ridden," but I have (kinda have now) a beautiful deep gloss purple (it's prismatic, changes to various shades of purple and dark green) Kona Libra. I used this kit: https://bikeshieldprotection.com/en/produit/protection-solo/ My LBS had it for about 20~30 dollars cheaper than their site does. It offered a lot of good pieces, but now, I wish I would have done something even more comprehensive as I have SOOOO many spots of very scratched finish after the Mid South. I can see where it tried to scratch on the vinyl wrap and it held up beautifully. I'll never have the finish on my bike that I once did, but at least where the wrap was, it's perfect.
Funny you mention the purple Kona Libre as that’s the exact bike I had in mind when I created this post, & you’re right the paint is stinkin’ beautiful. I have other bikes I’ll use frame protection on but my new Libre will be my 1st test case. I picked up 18’ of the 4” wide clear 3M tape last week from my LBS. I’ve only gotten as far as making some paper patterns thus far. I plan to apply it using the wet method with soapy water.
The wet, soapy method is the best method. Love my bike and that color. HATE how scratched it is now (esp since I've put less than 1000 miles on it since I've bought it), but I'll live I suppose. The one thing that gives me some solace is I ran into a Kona sponsored rider at the Mid South, on the 2020 equivalent. The red rust color paint is very pretty and does the same color shifting, though I think the purple is still better, but that fella had ridden the mess out of his bike, it was scratched up all over, but it gave it a certain je ne sais quois. It was like it convoyed just how wild and rugged, yet still beautiful, the riding in the elements we have chosen can be.
I haven’t seen that rust color in person but I agree from what I’ve seen online it’s a fantastic color also. Are you still on the factory 650b wheel & tire combo for your bike? I bought mine with the full intention to swap it to 700c eventually.
Would love to hear about your experience at Mid South & how you set up your bike. If there is already a post about it point me in that direction please
No post already. I bought it without intending to swap the wheelset, but then thought I might swap after the first few rides. Now that I'm used to it, I don't mind it at all. I did replace the WTB's with some 40c (wish I would have gone with the 35's) Continental Terra Trails for the ride as the WTB's are crap in the mud. I think I'll be keeping them on indefinitely. I put a Revelator top tube bag on, three bottle cages, and a bike pump. I will be getting a b-rad dual bottle cage adapter with side loading cages for the dk200 though. I ran out of water/nutrition when I didn't calculate how long the first half of the mid south in the mud was going to take (really just the last ten miles of the first half).
I’ve never tried the 650 size; I may actually like it. I just know I test rode the silver 2020 model on 700x45 & it felt great though I can see going narrower for a bit better speed. This will be my first bike with wider (46) bars. Anxious to see how I like them. I’m fairly used to the size 44 bars on my other bike.
