the Ultimate Compendium of chainstay and frame Guards

[patineto]

I keep seeing old tubes and chunks of rubber and foam wrap around with zip tyes, but personally I'm prone to have a little more attencion to detail than that, i like my bikes to work perfectlly even to the level of their protective shieilding, here are some of my attemps as a example, but will be great to see everybodys work to improve in the data base of options and alteratives available...

Also please do NoT start with the typical..."Man you have way to much time in your hands" coments, to justified mediocrity...

Lets Start with a "little To Radial" aproach..

When I got my Giant Dh, the bike was in exelent cosmetic and structural shape and I want to keep it that way, I did Notice a lot of chainslap on the seat and chain stay, so i when to town with a old Ritchey WCS tyre..
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/18731444-M.jpg

actually the sistem kind of sucks,,,
don't take me wrong the chain is totally quiet and for sure does not hit on anything, but doing the "Corset" lacing takes for ever and even wrost It collect mud like is no tomorrow, making it very dificult to wash and sonner or later scratching the surface you are trying to protect
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/18731445-L-1.jpg

yeah i when a litle to far and almost cover the whole frame, this is my version of a "Shuttle guard'
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/18731442-L-1.jpg

the end result of experiment #I
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/18731448-M.jpg

how to make it...
actually is really easy perforate holes about every 20mm with a punch.
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/18731439-M.jpg

and do it and do it until you are done
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/18731440-M.jpg

actually after I found the "Mud Flaw" I took it apart , got some Neoprene and velcro and saw it togheter with the tyre making the Biggest "lizard skin" you ever saw, works really well even if becomes a little to bulky and you can take it out in seconds,,
yeah i know is being done, sometimes I just like to have fun and make stuff my self..

now lets go for more ussable wraps and guards

Vulcanize Tape,, you can get this product at a good marine supply store, is as expensive as is Nice and strong
here is a basic example
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/28984171-M.jpg

also for the seat stays I use some 3M scothcal 2.0 tape and above that cut some small piramidal shape (Optimal and most recognizible shape) made of 3M scoth light tape that you can get in 6 diferent colors, to improve safety at night ...
that is in case you don't ride Ilegal trails at night, if that is the case you don't want this tape..
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/28984187-M.jpg

For My Nicolai i use the same Vulcanize sistem for the bottom layer but I when one step farder and i made my own shield out of a thermoplastic composite material compose (sorry for the redundancy) of Carbon & fibreglass and some kind of bonding egent that is not quemically catalize but sensitive to heat
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/25958869-L-3.jpg

This Sistem is the S^^T, is super dupper strong, i also made on for the left chainstay, since i keep hitting the heal of my shoe with the subframe thanks to the massive 165mm rear end on the M-pire..

someday I will also finish a "shuttle" guard for the down tube, but I confess I try it two times and never came exactlly right so i abandon the project for a day when i have a little more paccience..
So far for the down tube and bottom of the toptube i'm just ussing 2.0 tape with some stickers i like on top for pure decoration
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/25958866-M.jpg

Now for the Recycle of useless materials..

I think we all agree on the fact the Innertube tyre protectors suck big time, in fact i found all the ones i have on my friendlly bike store trash can..

I love this meterial is translucent kind of yellow but pretty, but sadlly I only found one of them so i got to warp only two bikes with it...
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/47412788-M.jpg

this material can strech a lot so you can actually cover square shapes like on the chain stays of my Cameleon
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/47413143-M.jpg

I also wrap My Little Balfa, with the rest of the protector.
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/47412791-M.jpg

A few days ago when I got my other balfa i use the most recognize type of tyre liner,, the famous "Mister Tuffy"
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50370313-M.jpg

the whole idea is to start as close as you can to the weld on the chainstay, so you have room for ziptyes, tape or the safety wire to hold the start of the wrap in place, only friction is necesary, the way i did it,,, i cut 3 small holes and tread a pair of ziptyes to it plus some safety wire as good measurement
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50370331-L-1.jpg

is like wraping tape on a road bike handlebar
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50370328-L-1.jpg

but since the plastic is not glue you can keep "rolling it" to make it tighter and tighter and some how conform better to the shape you are wraping.
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50370334-M.jpg

this material is totally bombproof and as long as you wrap the other end in the same way is not coming undone, no mater what...
think about it,, No expose Ziptyes cutting you fingers when you are washing or working on the bike, no grease getting into it and also and looks as nice and finish as you chris king headset
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50369216-M-1.jpg

Please don't think I'm "Clean Nazi" like the guy on "MonK" i like mud and crashing as much as the next guy if not more.
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/2768353-M.jpg

but I also believe a well protected and taking care machine is going to last longer and be a lot less prone to suffer from reliavility problems

well Now is you turn to show your own aproach, if you have the time please explain the reason why you did it that way and the technics use, so we can learn more about it..

[Pat...]

Nice job with those! Its cool when you can make stuff for yourself or use different things (that had other perposes) that works.

For my chainstays, I used pipe wrap (the stuff that prevents pipes from sweating). I got calpico 20 mil (the thicker the better). It comes in wide (like duct tape or wider) and narrow rolls. I got narrow just so I could use it for other things.
http://www.aathread.com/images/600_PipeTape.JPG
I wrapped it around each chainstay, diagnoly, overlapping the previous part. I should put a zip tie at each end. My chainstays are very well protected from ledges, rocks, the chain, what ever...

I also put two strips of this under my down tube to protect it from gravel (or other stuff). This tape is so strong. I strongly sugest it.

You may think the writing looks bad, but If you wrap it evenly, I think it looks really cool (kind of like a checkered flag from far away).

[Mugger]

Wow that 3m type is amazing, gotta source me some of that for the STP for urban rides.

[patineto]

Wow that 3m type is amazing, gotta source me some of that for the STP for urban rides.

If you want I have some of the red one left, just send me
your adress and i send you some in the mail...

[bballe336]

The only thing I can say is amazing. You have tried so many different things to protect your stays. What is your favorite/what works best?

[Pat...]

That 3m scothcal stuff is awsome. My red stickers are coming off my azonic evolution; I could use that to make new red ones. How hard is it to cut into long shapes?

This is my frame with stock stickers. I could take them off, but they make it look so good.
http://www.beyondbikes.com/mmBB/Images/large/evolution.jpg

[patineto]

Nice job with those! Its cool when you can make stuff for yourself or use different things (that had other perposes) that works.

For my chainstays, I used pipe wrap (the stuff that prevents pipes from sweating). I got calpico 20 mil (the thicker the better). It comes in wide (like duct tape or wider) and narrow rolls. I got narrow just so I could use it for other things.
http://www.aathread.com/images/600_PipeTape.JPG
I wrapped it around each chainstay, diagnoly, overlapping the previous part. I should put a zip tie at each end. My chainstays are very well protected from ledges, rocks, the chain, what ever...

I also put two strips of this under my down tube to protect it from gravel (or other stuff). This tape is so strong. I strongly sugest it.

You may think the writing looks bad, but If you wrap it evenly, I think it looks really cool (kind of like a checkered flag from far away).

Actually I saw you posting on Chris's tread a minute ago and i got inspire to "payback" your contribution with some of my own..

does it have "Glue" to adhere to the surface is just just a strip...!?!?!
elastic, stiff, breakable, resilient..!?
Do you have any pictures of the tape with the letters (printing) aply On the Bike...!?!?
I'm sure it looks really Cool....

many years ago I work on a small Airplane and bulletproffing company and I got to work with some Really fancy materials maybe with similar properties to yours but in this case to prevent ruptures on hoses and other components...

I think Building wheels and wraping things are some of my favorite pass times..

[TheMontashu]

One question WHY!!!!! why do you need all that stuff on your bike?

[patineto]

The only thing I can say is amazing. You have tried so many different things to protect your stays. What is your favorite/what works best?

for the pracmatic and repitavility issues, I think the tyre protectors like the "Mister Tuffy's" are the best, they are strong, resilient, flexible they don't get contaminated by grease or dirt like cotton tape will be, plus they are also FRee.

for the Ultimate Guard, this carbon material that I use is Incredible, incredibly light, maleable under heat, but also a pain to manipulate so i don't see a wide spread use...

[patineto]

One question WHY!!!!! why do you need all that stuff on your bike?


Well some people Drink Beer, I get my "Kicks" fixing and making things,, is all for the same reason at the end (the seach of happiness and peace I quess) is just many diferent roads to get there..

as you can see I start BIG on the Giant and then i keep going more minimalistic every time, the current sistem is almost weightless,.easy to install but also very efficient...

[Pat...]

It is like electrical tape, just thicker. It has an adhesive like electrical tape, but doesn't leave a residue like duct tape. I will try to post some later tonight.

[patineto]

That 3m scothcal stuff is awsome. My red stickers are coming off my azonic evolution; I could use that to make new red ones. How hard is it to cut into long shapes?

This is my frame with stock stickers. I could take them off, but they make it look so good.
http://www.beyondbikes.com/mmBB/Images/large/evolution.jpg

man is a shame I don't have my Old Kona anymore, actually I give it to my friend Juan in san francisco maybe i can take some picture of it someday...

remenber that Kona cruiser with the american flag motive...!?!?

well I when to town with it, and replace every white stars with reflective white, the red levels with red reflective,, well you get they idea, look totally normal durring the day, but at night with the help of some car headlight looks totally amazing..

something like this I guess.
During the day
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/2825681-L-1.jpg

when the moon is queen
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/2830290-L-1.jpg

and another example.
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/2825672-L-1.jpg

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/2830288-L-1.jpg

[Pat...]

^Thats so cool. I would do that if you could see it as red in day light.

[patineto]

It is like electrical tape, just thicker. It has an adhesive like electrical tape, but doesn't leave a residue like duct tape. I will try to post some later tonight.

Nice...
the Vulcanize tape is great but at $15/$20 per a litlee roll (3/4" x5feet) is far to freaking expensive.

[Pat...]

Would that 3m stuff replce my frame stickers well. I want something to really stick well and take hits to rocks (occasional tunnel tippings-hahaha)

[patineto]

^Thats so cool. I would do that if you could see it as red in day light.

The Red, blue and yellow looks just fine, the white is a little "perlecent" do to the microballones that provide the light reflexion, and then the green looks like highway sign,,, since is the material use for Highway signs:mumble:

[patineto]

Would that 3m stuff replce my frame stickers well. I want something to really stick well and take hits to rocks (occasional tunnel tippings-hahaha)

well the scotchlight is not the strongest material since a really thick wall will reduce the avility to bend and conform to complex shapes...

with that in mind i have exelent results,,
for example the black tape on the motorbike is being there for about 7/8 years and still works, it kind of looks like S^^t do to all the falls and scratches from branches when i ride in the dirt, but still glues to the plastic like a Remora to a whale..

also you will need to cut the patterns somehow...
the old fashion way like i do it with a Exacto knife and paccince, or maybe get a computer file of the shapes you need and get it cut with a "Sharp plotter" at any Sign shop..

[Pat...]

So is it red in daylight or at night?

[patineto]

So is it red in daylight or at night?

Yeap...

Just like the RED on the wheel holder is the back of my motorcycle
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/47409164-M.jpg


in the dark is also very Red,, pretty much like on a Stop sign (again since is the material stops signs are made off)

[Pat...]

My marzocchi DJ2 '03 is getting scratched and the stickers are getting messed up. I want to repaint it when it gets a few more scratches. I was thinking black again, but now I want to do glossy red.

With spray paint, I could touch it up very easily. Any thoughts/idea?

[TheMontashu]

Yeap...

Just like the RED on the wheel holder is the back of my motorcycle
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/47409164-M.jpg


in the dark is also very Red,, pretty much like on a Stop sign (again since is the material stops signs are made off)
My boss at work has a set up like that with his BMW and his sidecar

[patineto]

My marzocchi DJ2 '03 is getting scratched and the stickers are getting messed up. I want to repaint it when it gets a few more scratches. I was thinking black again, but now I want to do glossy red.

With spray paint, I could touch it up very easily. Any thoughts/idea?

well i'm not a paint expert...
but i use something call "Hard hat" before that is really strong and does not require much preparation. the finish is not the best since the pigment is pretty dense, but I don't think you care that much...

also maybe you can Wrap them on super thickA^^ tape..

[patineto]

My boss at work has a set up like that with his BMW and his sidecar

who is your Boss Bob...!?!?
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/4702481-M.jpg

the Guy with the mazda RX-7 "wankel" Engine (rotary power plant) on the yellow K12...?

this thing is so freaking Awesome
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/4702487-M.jpg


if that is the Bike,, I help him conceptualize his rack

[Pat...]

I would just have it stripped, paint a primer, then spray gloss red. I want it to look decently good. Do you think krylon would work well?

[SXtrailrider]

mtnbrider so that tape stuff is just wire tap or what? i need to get some for my new frame

[Pat...]

It is basicly eletrical tape, but thicker. Go to a hardware store and get help. It will be in plumbing; if you can't find it, ask where the tape that is for wraping pipes is. Ask which is the thickest one.

[patineto]

man is a shame I don't have my Old Kona anymore, actually I give it to my friend Juan in san francisco maybe i can take some picture of it someday...

remenber that Kona cruiser with the american flag motive...!?!?

well I when to town with it, and replace every white stars with reflective white, the red levels with red reflective,, well you get they idea, look totally normal durring the day, but at night with the help of some car headlight looks totally amazing..



I just found a Picture of her, not the greatest but it helps how Involve the work was.
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/19026-L-1.jpg

ayway this thing will look like a "Neon Sign" at night, really cool but sincerlly after 9-11 the conotacion (semiotic significant) proof to be a little to much and i stop riding it all togheter.

[BigMike]

patineto, you definanly have some of the coolest stuff to contribute around here!

I personally use an old DH tube and a zip tie

[patineto]

If you are going to wrap a tube or something, use a single strand of safety wire lace togheter like on a shoe (I take some pictures later) so your hands don't get cut..

Sorry for the lamme foto, hopefully you get the idea ...

I do this to all my grips, since I don't really like how Thin the lock-on grips are.(the rubber is Thin the plastic part thick)
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50658835-M.jpg

I use a single strand of safety wire that I loop over the grips diameter and then twist all the way to the next grove (I love Oury grips) and again and again.

you can use the same method for chainstay protectors if you like..

[MOTODH]

very cool stuff

[PepperJester]

I never got around to making a guard for my stays.. their too far gone to worry about now, but i did make a sweet downtube skid plate for my BigHit. 1/8" thick dimond plate, bolts right on to the stock bottle mount.

http://www.ecmtb.com/gallery/data/507/1132BigHitNov05.jpg

[patineto]

Finally I got of my butt and took some close up of the carbon/glass guards on the Nicolai...

the bike still on the rack, so sorry you need to think of them in vertical terms...
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50658849-L.jpg

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50658845-L.jpg

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50658862-L.jpg

Man my hands are all Shakky and I don't even Drink...
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/50658871-L.jpg

[patineto]

I never got around to making a guard for my stays.. their too far gone to worry about now,Actually i think you really need to take care of them since Aluminum is really prone to generate stress rissers that can lead to catrastrofic failures, do to surfaces scraches and scores somehow like a piece of glass will, i think is something call "Laminar tension", "surface tension" or something like that....
same sindrome encounter on Easton handlebars and other high end alloys, were if you score them even on the surface they will fail right were..
(reason why i'm so maniac, about protecting my frames)

who cares if the are cosmetically wasted,, aluminum does not corrode anyway, but if you keep letting the chains hit the metal they are going to fail far sonner than later...
but i did make a sweet downtube skid plate for my BigHit. 1/8" thick dimond plate, bolts right on to the stock bottle mount.

http://www.ecmtb.com/gallery/data/507/1132BigHitNov05.jpg

Good aproach, if anything a little to heavy....


also Be careful since the "Rivets" that hold the waterbottles are not design for that type of loads, anyway is a really smart aproach..

[Sir_Crackien]

what about using road bar tape? that always seemed like a good idea to me because it would be very quite but i don't think that it would last that long

[Kanter]

Why dont bike companys do something from the factory? A good pickup spray bed liner would work awesome.

[patineto]

what about using road bar tape? that always seemed like a good idea to me because it would be very quite but i don't think that it would last that long

Exactlly,,

longevity is the name of the game...

actually the Old school "Cateye" Cotton tape (grey little box) is pretty good in terms of strengh but those not like Grease that much specially "White lightning"

also stuff like the Shinny Cinelli's (10 years ago) kind of do the work, they are hard on the surfase so they don't get turgent with lubes or water but still strong to sustain the pounding...

all the softty cork tape tapes of today will not last you five minutes in the dirt, in fact if you are not careful about the amount of tension you put to them, they will break apart in your bare hands....


I guess you can tell I'm being doing this for a long long time...

[patineto]

Why dont bike companys do something from the factory? A good pickup spray bed liner would work awesome.

You Read my mind mister Kanter..

take a Look at one of my Bike tanks spray with Bedliner (keep in mind is VEry VerY heavy and also dificult to mask.)
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/16149-M-1.jpg

that paint is amazing,, sticks to anything (with out much preparation, just water wash and not even to carefully) and you can walk all over with spike shoes if you want,, I try on it x-acto knives, Box-cutters,motorcylce boots, other motorcylces running over it (and sadlly me too)...:)Nothing, exept for what i mension above about the extra weight and the chessy finishing lines is Great stuff

[PepperJester]

Patineto: I checked with Specialized about the skid plate and my warranty is safe. Yes the plate is a bit over kill, but it keeps my hydro line from getting smashed and im sure its saved my from a few dents over the years. I'll be making one for the new SX asap.

[patineto]

Patineto: I checked with Specialized about the skid plate and my warranty is safe. Yes the plate is a bit over kill, but it keeps my hydro line from getting smashed and im sure its saved my from a few dents over the years. I'll be making one for the new SX asap.

Wow cool...

do you have more detail pictures..? so we can see how you manage to protect the hydrolic lines.

in my opinion, the best way to make a "Smack" guard, is to build in a little of shock absortion into it.. kind of like one of those "Bouncing Tennis shoes" that you see from time to time at demostrations basket ball games, as oppose to have something just resting right next to the frame, maybe a piece of a Snowboard or a sky with a little more giff...
but again if is working for you be my guess,, after all is being proof again and again that being "Extra geek" sometimes does not make any diference and in fact only serves to over complicated things that don't require that much complexity.

please find some fotos if you can, so other sand me can see your work and maybe profit from it and oviuslly thanks again for the contribution..

[binary visions]

Why dont bike companys do something from the factory? A good pickup spray bed liner would work awesome.
I don't like the idea of a permanent chainstay guard. If it gets mangled, you can't do anything with it - you have to just give it another coating.

Plus, it's pretty heavy.

Personally, I use self-amalgamating rubber tape (example (http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Accessories_Index/Tape_A/)), usually used to repair rubber hoses. It is non-adhesive but sticks to itself when stretched. If you buy a fairly thick one, you only need one or two layers but you can do as many as you want. Being that it's so flexible, you can easily do chainstays that are oddly shaped, or other parts of the bike.

It's super quiet, looks clean, and keeps everything protected. Plus, if it gets torn up or you want to sell the bike, it peels right off with no mess or leftover adhesive.

[patineto]

I don't like the idea of a permanent chainstay guard. If it gets mangled, you can't do anything with it - you have to just give it another coating.

Plus, it's pretty heavy.Actually the idea i was going for was......
to get full size sheets of self adhesive Vynil (2.0 mill thick strong stuff) get it coated with bead liner and then cut it to shape (Diferent patterns for different needs) with a lazer cutter since from time to time people (bikes) require protections on part that can not be wrap, or at least will look way to ugly and also heavy if you do a rap around..

Personally, I use self-amalgamating rubber tape (example (http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Accessories_Index/Tape_A/)), usually used to repair rubber hoses. It is non-adhesive but sticks to itself when stretched. If you buy a fairly thick one, you only need one or two layers but you can do as many as you want. Being that it's so flexible, you can easily do chainstays that are oddly shaped, or other parts of the bike.

It's super quiet, looks clean, and keeps everything protected. Plus, if it gets torn up or you want to sell the bike, it peels right off with no mess or leftover adhesive.

That Looks Exactlly like the tape I call "Vulcanize" but at least were I buy it is super expensive,since is sold as a Boat repair kit and you know how expensive marine supplies can be...

I see you link is in europe, do you have one for the US...??

I love that stuff, strong, easy to aplly, not messy at all, so far my only comaplin is the price, but maybe i'm just buying it at the wrong place


thanks for the Imput and even more thanks if you have a link or a sourse for this side of the ocean...

[Kanter]

Yes the spray liner is heavy but the little bit that would be needed to do the chainstay would not weigh that much. You would never have to do it again.

[Salami]

Personally, I use self-amalgamating rubber tape (example (http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Accessories_Index/Tape_A/)), usually used to repair rubber hoses.


Looks interesting. Is there there any kind of business that I could look for it locally or is it hard to find stuff?

[patineto]

Yes the spray liner is heavy but the little bit that wouldbe needed to do the chainstay would not weigh that much. You would never have to do it again.

I learn from doing Business that "Features" sometimes can become detrimental...

I can just imagine the possible clients saying...

"man I love that frame but is a Shame the put that black stuff on the chainstays"

or maybe the SNoobbs saying

"but that is the same bed liner finish you will find on a rednecks truck"

or for the weight Winnners...
"anybody know were I can get bedliner paint made of titanium and carbon with a splash of Antimatter to make it even lighter"

you know how people are...
if you don't have it stock, people will love to upgrade, if you provide it with the product, you are bound to find somebody that does not want it...

maybe that is the reason why companies don't provide their bikes with Improvements like this

[keeping_it_real]

I use a product called Tygaflor. Its basically PTFE impregnated glass fibre tape. It is adhesive backed and used because of its excellent non stick properties.

I have a piece underneath and wrapped up halfway of my downtube. As the product is a few mm thick this helps stop rocks dinting the tube. As the tape is PTFE coated it stops mud sticking and weighing my bike down.

Iv also cut pieces to act like "mudguards" for my bearing pivots to try and keep mud and slop away.

The link below is from a UK supplier but im sure its available worldwide.

http://www.tygaflor.co.uk/

[PepperJester]

patineto: I'll see what i can drag up,

[patineto]

I use a product called Tygaflor. Its basically PTFE impregnated glass fibre tape. It is adhesive backed and used because of its excellent non stick properties.

I have a piece underneath and wrapped up halfway of my downtube. As the product is a few mm thick this helps stop rocks dinting the tube. As the tape is PTFE coated it stops mud sticking and weighing my bike down.

Iv also cut pieces to act like "mudguards" for my bearing pivots to try and keep mud and slop away.

The link below is from a UK supplier but im sure its available worldwide.

http://www.tygaflor.co.uk/


Thanks Mister Real...

That material sound amazing...
the site also mension Aramid fibre products, for those that do Now know Aramid is the same materials Kevlar and believe after making bulletproof cars and helicopters i can tell you that this Aramid fabric is as Tough as they make them...

many times I think projects like this are base on the materials available, we are just lucky we live in this times,, if was 50 years ago we will be making it out of "Tyropactile Leather" or something like that....


Any pictures...!?!?

[patineto]

patineto: I'll see what i can drag up,Exelent

thanks

[jdschall]

I was thinking about going to a marine store to get some aramid (kevlar) cloth and 2 part epoxy to do my stays. Yes it would be permanent but it would never wear out. I suspect that it would even protect the stays from tire rub if you bent a wheel. It would also be very light.

[Repack]

Wow, thats a lot of frame protection. I cut up an old road tire that matched my frame color and used 3M plastic adhesive. Works very well and is low profile.

[patineto]

I was thinking about going to a marine store to get some aramid (kevlar) cloth and 2 part epoxy to do my stays. Yes it would be permanent but it would never wear out. I suspect that it would even protect the stays from tire rub if you bent a wheel. It would also be very light.

Aramid is ilegal to purchase(retail at least) in many states do to the bullet proof caracteristics but if you can get some Go at it...

actually more than two part epoxy,, you need Epoxi resin made for lamination since is a lot more liquid and able to get into the material better, also you can also use Polister resin that is far cheaper since you are not making anything that is structural...

another thing, is that you can laminate the parts over ussing your chainstays as a "male Mold" , ad if you aplay a mold release again (wax, shoe polish works just fine.) you can take them off the stays finish them and then glue them back with silicon, just in case you want to replace them someday,,, or you can just wrap the S^^T out of the chainstays and keep re-laminating material when it wear out or look ugly but be aware cutting the aramid after the resin catalize is a absolute pain in the butt,,and soetimes you can not even do it do to the alauminum being so close to the aramid fibres you can not cut one with out cutting the other one ..

personally i like to have the avility to take them out if i need too,

also be careful epoxi resin is super toxic so make sure you are well ventilated also be careful with the kevlar after becomes solid with the resin, because the ficers can cut better than a sharp knife (believe me i know), you will also need a exelnt cutter sistem, better than a hacksaw, dremmels works great but again be careful with the materails flying in the air, so some fancy safety glases and even a respirator are a great idea, also wear clothes you don't care trashing since the fibres will go all over then you grind them (actually try to do the work so you don't need not gring them is the best thing to do...)

enjoy..


But be careful

[patineto]

Wow, thats a lot of frame protection. I cut up an old road tire that matched my frame color and used 3M plastic adhesive. Works very well and is low profile.

Great that works really well.

any pictures of the installation...??

[binary visions]

I see you link is in europe, do you have one for the US...??
Looks interesting. Is there there any kind of business that I could look for it locally or is it hard to find stuff?

Oops, didn't see that the link was for the UK. I live in the US :D

It's really easy to find - your local hardware store should have it, and Wal-Mart carries it as well. It's cheap - only a couple bucks for a roll of it, and a roll stretches for a looong way.

Just look in the tape and glue section. Self-adhering, non-adhesive rubber tape. I've found it in several stores, I believe it's in a yellow cardboard-backed package. Wish I could remember the name of it, sorry. But it's there :D

edit: take a look at www.mcmaster.com on catalogue page 3193. Bunch of different choices.

[patineto]

Oops, didn't see that the link was for the UK. I live in the US :D

It's really easy to find - your local hardware store should have it, and Wal-Mart carries it as well. It's cheap - only a couple bucks for a roll of it, and a roll stretches for a looong way.

Just look in the tape and glue section. Self-adhering, non-adhesive rubber tape. I've found it in several stores, I believe it's in a yellow cardboard-backed package. Wish I could remember the name of it, sorry. But it's there :D

Exelent News...

I'm preety sure i was buying the exact same thing (I tell you later when i find your product) for about $16 for a tinny little roll...

thanks, i think we found the ultimate material to wrap stuff, now the need to find the best for surfaces that can not be warp easilly like the bottom of down tubes and stuff like that..

thanks for the response..

[binary visions]

Check my edit, patineto, if you want to buy it online and/or can't find it at your local shops. I think it was still cheaper at Wal-Mart. I think we're talking about the "Self-fusing EPR tape".

[patineto]

Check my edit, patineto, if you want to buy it online and/or can't find it at your local shops. I think it was still cheaper at Wal-Mart. I think we're talking about the "Self-fusing EPR tape".

Exelent i even have a account with them, but that freaking cataloge is so big i always get lost on end and spending money on things i don't need (Every page have at least one item you want) so i don't look at it anymore.

i think the reference number is 7682A65 and cost $11.97 per roll, so i'm sure is the same tape...

Self-Fusing Silicone Rubber Tapes (Above the EPR tape) looks also very interesting, i need to read more about the properties and maybe order some samples for testing...
thanks

[patineto]

actually after reading the description sound "like the Self-Fusing Silicone Rubber Tapes" are even better (Higher tensile strengh, self adhesive..etc)..

i like specially the 1' triangular (so you can do perfect overlaps, like on a handlebars tape) the number is 7643A31 and is $9.62 per roll also comes in 4 colors black, clear, gray and red... not like i care since i preffer black.

[binary visions]

The silicon tape may or may not be softer than the EPR, though, just keep that in mind.

If you try it, though, please report back and tell me how you like it.

[patineto]

The silicon tape may or may not be softer than the EPR, though, just keep that in mind.

If you try it, though, please report back and tell me how you like it.
yeah when i get a little more money i'm going to order at least one of each and compare them so the rest of the people don't end up buying the wrong tape..

just check at the description,,does not sound like the silicons i know,,(but maybe I'm wrong)..well is onlya $10 mistake at the most and I can always use to strap some girlfriend or something fun..

[keeping_it_real]

Oops, didn't see that the link was for the UK. I live in the US :D

It's really easy to find - your local hardware store should have it, and Wal-Mart carries it as well. It's cheap - only a couple bucks for a roll of it, and a roll stretches for a looong way.

Just look in the tape and glue section. Self-adhering, non-adhesive rubber tape. I've found it in several stores, I believe it's in a yellow cardboard-backed package. Wish I could remember the name of it, sorry. But it's there :D

edit: take a look at www.mcmaster.com on catalogue page 3193. Bunch of different choices.


Hi Binary

Not sure if you were refering to the fibre glass tape-but the McMaster stuff is very different to the Tygaflor glass fibre tape.

The Tygaflor stuff looks a little similiar to rigid carbon fibre, in that the woven tape appears to have depth and dimension underneath the PTFE coating, albeit it is a light brown/beige colour. Il try and take a piccy of my Norco tonight.

The Tygaflor is used a lot in the Polyurethane production industry (where I use it), or on welding plates for the double glazing window production industry so there should be plnety of suppliers for it in the U.S. If anyones struggling and really wants some I can mail a bit.

[binary visions]

Hi Binary

Not sure if you were refering to the fibre glass tape-but the McMaster stuff is very different to the Tygaflor glass fibre tape.

Oops, I see where the confusion is. That catalogue page has fiberglass tape as the first item, but if you scroll down, the rest is is devoted to non-adhesive rubber/silicone tapes. The fiberglass tape isn't something I've ever tried - since I found this self-amalgamating rubber tape, I don't think I'll try anything else!

I was pointing patineto at the rubber/silicone tapes (specifically, the EPR tape).

Thanks for the info, though.

[jdschall]

Aramid is ilegal to purchase(retail at least) in many states do to the bullet proof caracteristics but if you can get some Go at it...




I'm not sure where you got this info? Aramid skid plates and aramid fabric are often used to patch canoes and sail boats, etc. Most high performance sails are made from aramid fiber. You can get it at any marine store and most outdoors stores for repairs with no problems.

Also 2 part epoxy tends to hold up better and is much more flexible. Polyester resin tends to be brittle and shatter. They both stink and I'd never use them in a confined space. Take it from a whitewater canoeist that has used plenty of both.

I really like your idea for using the stay as a mold. That's awesome. Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely try that.

[patineto]

I'm not sure where you got this info? Aramid skid plates and aramid fabric are often used to patch canoes and sail boats, etc. Most high performance sails are made from aramid fiber. You can get it at any marine store and most outdoors stores for repairs with no problems.I guess i was refering more to the "Bullet proff" grade kevlar fabric...

so far i look for it in a few diferent sourses, to make motorcycle bash plates and tank protectors and I can only find it mix with carbon or fibre glass or in really narrow webbings...

maybe i'm wrong and I just don't know were to look for and for sure i will love it that is the case...




Also 2 part epoxy tends to hold up better and is much more flexible. Polyester resin tends to be brittle and shatter. They both stink and I'd never use them in a confined space. Take it from a whitewater canoeist that has used plenty of both.

That is why I mension on the post above it on a none Structural context.
"that is far cheaper since you are not making anything that is structural..." even if getting hit by rock and chains does require some deggre of flexibility so maybe you are right again...

Oh I love Epoxis, i got to make many things From Skateboards to Airplanes with it.

for a example here are some of the drawings I did for the company I work for and on the lower left you can see one of the many fuselages that we made out of fancy composite materials
http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/15912-L-1.jpg

but even then we still use cheap poliester resins to make reinforcements for the molds nice they were not flexing and was absolutlly no need for the much more expensive epoxi resins


I really like your idea for using the stay as a mold. That's awesome. Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely try that.

actually if you want to go on "Production" you can make a Negative "Female" mold of the stays (or any other part for that matter,,, with sufficient room for the fabric taked into account.) and then make PErFecT Positive Reproductions ("Male" parts) with a exelent and shinny finish that you can even sell.

[jdschall]

Here you go: http://www.cstsales.com/aramid.html

all the kevlar you can stand.

[patineto]

Here you go: http://www.cstsales.com/aramid.html

all the kevlar you can stand.

Exelent thanks

If i remenebr correctlly the one with use on the cars and helicopter was a 8oz but for this crash guards the ones on your link are perfect


exelent news... thanks again..

[Superdeft]

Nice job with those! Its cool when you can make stuff for yourself or use different things (that had other perposes) that works.

For my chainstays, I used pipe wrap (the stuff that prevents pipes from sweating). I got calpico 20 mil (the thicker the better). It comes in wide (like duct tape or wider) and narrow rolls. I got narrow just so I could use it for other things.
[IMG]
I wrapped it around each chainstay, diagnoly, overlapping the previous part. I should put a zip tie at each end. My chainstays are very well protected from ledges, rocks, the chain, what ever...

I also put two strips of this under my down tube to protect it from gravel (or other stuff). This tape is so strong. I strongly sugest it.

You may think the writing looks bad, but If you wrap it evenly, I think it looks really cool (kind of like a checkered flag from far away).

I went to home depot and they had a measly little roll for ELEVEN DOLLARS. It's the same silicone tape, vulcanized, self-adhesive, self-amalgamating, however you call it, it's absurdly expensive.

Before I go buy a bunch more of that stuff, how good of a job does this actually do? I can't imagine it's quiet, and does it allow for little dents through the tape?

[Pat...]

I finally got a picture of my bike. You can see it.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mtnbrider/My%20Bike/06%201%2028/DSCN0609.jpg

It really protects the CS. I don't think the chain would ever go through; unless maybe the chain constanly rubbed it through every pedal stroke. I don't know if its as quiet as you want, but its sure quieter than a bare chainstay. What are you worried about denting?

[patineto]

I finally got a picture of my bike. You can see it.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mtnbrider/My%20Bike/06%201%2028/DSCN0609.jpg



cool the letters look great too.
do you have a close up..???