Frame protection "Please help"

[Josh Baptie]

6 minutes ago, Murrob said:

Bike shield for the win, easy to apply and remove when you need to, and thick enough that it really does protect and nicely mouldable with a bit of heat from a hairdryer. Used it to enhance protection and cover the typical areas that get whacked, rubbed, scratched. Rather get the big sheet if you can find it and spend a bit of time cutting sizes and fitting rather than the precut kits.

This was my thought too. I mean its waaay cheaper and you get enough material for plenty of cuts. I'm just not sure if I'm missing something as to why peeps don't naturally go this route instead. I can only assume its for the convenience?

[Eddy Gordo]

I forgot about the easy to remove bit - no glue left behind. I always shied away from bikeshield. I was gifted one and have done my other bikes with it as well. I also like how the edges doesnt curl up like many local options. You also get it in matte or gloss as well as for your fork. 

It is super easy to fit, spray some water and float it into place and squeegee out the water. Honestly it is one of the easiest I have fitted to a bike. I have tried 2 local versions, AMS, invisiframe(bikeshield applies similarly) Some other honeycomb protection. Invisiframe and bikeshield are the only ones so far that has not let dirt into the edge. I have had to replace downtube protection on 2 bikes because of this.

[usxorf]

1 hour ago, Josh Baptie said:

Thanks for all the advice.
Will probably be going with Armor ride in the future or perhaps the Bike Shield mentioned above.
Unfortunately none are an option right now, bike is being collected Friday and shredding commences Saturday so I'm going to go with a quick temporary/ish solution just to ensure my heart doesn't break on day one.

I'm going to be picking up a clear "stone chip resistant" vinyl from Maizeys which is 250 microns thick (0.25mm) which comes in a big sheet for only 380 odd rand.

Is there a specific reason people don't go this route of just cutting their own vinyl ? is it just the ease of an already cut kit? Just curious as a single sheet of the vinyl would be able to accommodate a few bikes at the cost of less than half the kit for one bike.

I just did my 4th frame with the maizey's stuff. Made a rudimentary template from paper and then traced it onto the vinyl. For funny angles like thin seatstays/chainstays use a hairdryer to apply. Took a couple of hours and had to recut a few pieces, but came out alright.