Bike frame protection

Protect the paint before it gets marked

A frame gets damaged in the same handful of places: the chainstay struck by the chain, the down tube peppered by gravel, the cable rub areas, and the underside of the top tube when you set the bike down. Film applied to a new frame costs a fraction of a paint touch-up, and makes a difference to its resale value.

Matt or gloss: a choice you can see

It's the one mistake that really shows. A gloss on a matt frame makes it shiny in patches; a matt on a gloss frame dulls the shine. Check your paint finish before choosing the kit size — both versions are available for almost every product.

Pre-cut kit or roll

• The pre-cut kits by bike type (full-suspension MTB, hardtail, steel, road and gravel, e-bike) provide pieces already shaped to fit the tubes. They give a neat finish and are the only realistic option for curved areas.
• The M, L, XL and XXL packs offer increasing levels of coverage, from a few vulnerable areas to full-frame protection.
• The cut-to-size rolls (3 m, 15 m) cost much less per metre and work for straight sections, touch-ups and non-standard frames.
• The kits e-bike account for the bulkier battery tube and the areas where cables rub on electric mountain bikes.

Installation

Protection film should be applied wet, on a thoroughly cleaned and degreased. Soapy water or a dedicated application solution lets you position and slide the piece into place, then push out bubbles before it bonds permanently. Applied dry, the film sticks on first contact and cannot be repositioned. Allow an hour for a complete kit, and work at room temperature — the film will not conform to curves when cold.

Targeted protection products

• The chainstay protector (wraparound neoprene or adhesive) offers the best value in the range: the chainstay is the area most prone to marks, and it also takes the impact and noise of the chain.
• The crank arm protectors prevent chips on carbon crank arms, which cannot be repaired, and come in adhesive or clip-on versions.
• The fork protectors cover the rear of the stanchions and fork lowers, which are exposed to spray.
• The GPS screen protectors protect the screen, which scratches more easily than the casing.

On an already marked frame

Film does not hide a scratch: it seals it in. On a well-used frame, clean, degrease and, if necessary, polish before applying it — otherwise the scratch will remain visible beneath the film permanently.

See also: Bike travel bags · Bike cleaners and degreasers · Bike mudguards