[DirtMcGirk]

Sitting here looking at the new TR450 sitting in the shed. I hang my bikes over my tailgate with an older Dakine pad.

Do you cover your down tubes with clear film? I bought some at the motorcycle shop, but I need to make sure this is a good idea before I go covering it with what amounts to a really big decal.

 

[Nick]

For sure.
I placed a thick piece from about half way down my DT to the BB shell (more for rocks than tailgates) and wherever cable/lines contact the frame. It's all but invisible on my black frame and does the job well.

 

[norbar]

Yeah why do you even think about it? What is the downside? I also cover my top tube where my knees usually hit the frame.

 

[Raingauge]

I do too. I also strap an old roach arm/elbow pad on the down tube when I'm shuttling. Those Dakine pads blow out easily and then my downtube smashes the tailgate on rough roads.

 

[dropmachine]

Always.

 

[Jeremy R]

Always.

XXL? You going for the Shar pei look!

 

[WestCoastHucker]

maybe it means xtra xtra little...

 

[gemini2k]

Nope, I have giant dents in my downtube from Mammoth. But thankfully since my bike isn't a tin can, and has a real powdercoat on it, I don't really care.

 

[bdamschen]

Only the part that rubs on the tail gate when shuttling.

 

[sethimus]

raw frame, don't care

 

[Kntr]

I cover the down tube and the top tube with 3M clear. I then put a aluminum down tube protector on. I've had too many dented down tubes. I've also used a piece of rubber tubing cut in half.

 

[canadmos]

It'll add too much weight to your frame. Don't do it!!!

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

mine came from the factory with a vinyl cover.
on rough roads, i always wrap my shinguards on the downtube, and tie down the heatube to the rear bumper..... driving fast over 40 or 50 miles of very rough roads take their toll on downtubes.

 

[davec113]

I have a custom full length carbon fiber dt protector on my '09 Session 88. Not surprisingly, I have no dents in my dt.

 

[Wa-Aw]

I have an inverted updside down mud guard on the lower DT of my Session too. And I thank it every ride in loose rock conditions.

 

[gnarbar]

I have a custom full length carbon fiber dt protector on my '09 Session 88. Not surprisingly, I have no dents in my dt.

This ^

I have a 6" piece at the bottom of the DT/BB area and a 6" piece mid-DT, where the Dakine pad sits. And 3m tape on the top and sides of the DT.

 

[MrPlow]

http://zelvycarbon.com/?page_id=494

Contact Zelvycarbon

 

[***MTB***]

This stuff works wonders
http://www.framedefender.com/

 

[descente]

i wish i would have, if i did it now i would only be covering the chips already there.

lucky, my frame is made of plastic so it won't dent...just catastrophically fail

 

[ustemuf]

bling bling!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialized-Demo-8-Carbon-Fibre-frame-guard-/290728541364?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b0c57cb4

 

[KavuRider]

Phoenix...SoMo...'nuff said.

I would say cover it.

 

[jayblackll]

Homemade downtube protector
Polyester resin + fiberglass

 

[sethimus]

^

 

[DirtMcGirk]

I put vinyl tape over it for this weekend at Snowflake, worked pretty good and it made for a good chain guard. Need to order something a bit more industrial. Put an email into Zelvy.

 

[frorider]

http://zelvycarbon.com/?page_id=494

Contact Zelvycarbon

protecting our alu frames with carbon fiber -- irony alert.

 

[Freeridin']

I spend 2-3 hours covering my new frames before they are even built up. It really helps the resale value.

I've been using ICS Racers Tape
http://www.racerstape.com/

 

[MinorThreat]

I dipped my frame in a vat of molten UHMW PE . . . glides over rocks and only added 5 lbs.

 

[MrPlow]

protecting our alu frames with carbon fiber -- irony alert.

It's Kevlar hey.. Still funny though

 

[yopaulie]

^

I almost pissed myself!

 

[ustemuf]

I almost pissed myself!