Protecting your bike from scratches, chips, pebbles, gravel, so called chain slap and other damage are key for frame protection. This is especially important in preventing carbon frame damage. We look at how to protect your bike frame tape and how to apply it to your bike. Remember, before applying protector tape: Clean with soap and water and then use a tad of isopropyl alcohol on a clean cloth or an alcohol swab to assure no residual grease or grime. When cutting frame tape, make sure all edges are rounded. A square corner can catch on items and cause detachment of the frame protector.

There are a number of frame protector tapes.

Pre-cut versions that cover various sections of the frame and go on dry. Durability with some manufactures is questionable.
Heavy duty frame tape (the Italia Mariposa sold by Colorado Cyclist) is probable one of the thickest and extremely durable. Must be cut to size and placed on dry.
Helicopter tape from either ISC or 3M bike tape, thin but strong, used on helicopters and thus the name. Must be cut to size and can go on dry or a wet method.
Electrical tape for fast easy application on the underside of down tube.

Pre-cut frame kit. Easy to apply but may not be as durable as the other tapes. It goes on dry. Be careful as in all these tapes to handle only a tiny edge of the sticky surface and apply slowly beginning in the middle and using a squeegee or finger to push the tape on from the middle moving outward.
Heavy duty Effectto tape is a great choice for use on the chain stay to prevent damage from "chain slap" and mtb frame protection. We made a pattern with rounded edges and applied dry to the chain stain as shown.

Helicopter tape put on wet is our preference. Helicopter tape application with use of soapy water spay gives excellent durable frame protection. You will need a sponge as well as soap and water to clean the surface, a bit of alcohol on a clean cloth or alcohol swab to remove residual grease, scissors and paper to make a pattern to cut the tape, spray bottle of soapy water to apply as you place the tape on the frame and a hair drier. When you make your pattern, make sure there are no sharp edges which can catch and detach. Peel off the backing slowly starting from the top and wet the frame and backing of the tape. Use the hair drier in the very center top of the frame tape to lock it in place. As you peel back the tape some more, spray the frame and sticky part of the tape again with soapy water. Use the squeegee to push soapy water and air bubbles from the middle of the tape toward the edge. Again, lock the top part with the drier. Continue. Take care with an mtb carbon fiber or road carbon fiber frame. Hold the hair drier far enough from the surface that the tape will dry but the frame will not get hot, preventing damage to the carbon material. Helicopter tape is available on Amazon as 3m bike tape or from ISC. Invisiframe is a precut version of Helicopter tape.

Finally, for a cheap diy, one can use electrical tape or clear Gorilla packing tape. On this gravel bike we used black electrical tape which went on easily without removing the shift cables.

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