If you’re like me, you love your mountain bike.
It’s your ticket to adventure and fun in the mountains. Not to mention, you paid a lot of money for that thing.
So, naturally, you want to take care of it and protect it.
You’ve probably considered adding frame protection to your bike before, and I support this idea.
Today we will talk about what frame protection is, why you should get some, and a couple of different options.
What is Mountain Bike Frame Protection?
Mountain bike frame protection is material that you put on top of your bike’s frame to prevent damage from trail debris, transport, and crashes.
Most commonly, it covers your downtube, chainstays, top tube, and any place where component cables rub on the frame.
Typically frame protection is clear plastic with adhesive on one side that presses straight onto the frame.
Why You Need Mountain Bike Frame Protection
Mountain biking is a rowdy sport.
If you think about it, our bikes are flying down rocky trails while we navigate them down chutes, off jumps, and around corners. And to top it all off, sometimes, the pilot (us) runs out of luck and finds themselves on the ground.
It’s only a matter of time until one of those variables collides with our bike. When it does, it inevitably scratches your frame, or worse, can crack it.
Frame protection is the only way we can protect our bikes from the unknown. Adding a plastic coating to the exposed areas of the bike can mitigate the damage when inevitably you drop your bike on a rock.
Also, it helps with something most mountain bikers don’t talk about.
It protects your bike’s value.
Mountain biking is an expensive hobby. There is no denying it.
If you’re like me, you probably sell your bike after a couple of seasons. Frame protection helps you keep the bike in good condition because once you are done with it, you can peel it off, exposing the shiny protected frame. This will ensure you get top dollar in the second-hand market.
Ok, so hopefully, by now, I have convinced you to get some frame protection. Here are some different options you can choose from.
(Now your bike is dressed, but what about you? Learn exactly what you should wear on a ride here.)
3 Different Types of Mountain Bike Frame Protection
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Option 1) Do It Yourself
The first option, and the cheapest, is to do it yourself.
I recommend that you go on Amazon and pick up a roll of 3m clear bra. The same stuff used to wrap cars.
Once you get the roll, it’s time to install. First, clean your bike. Then choose where you want to install the clear bra. I recommend covering at least the downtube and chainstays. Then proceed to cut out a strip of clear bra and apply it. For the best results, use a stencil.
This is by far the cheapest option, but it requires a lot of work and patience.
Option 2) Pre Made Frame Protection
The second option is to buy pre-made frame protection.
Companies like All Mountain Style and Dyedbro make pre-cut frame protection for the high wear areas on your bike. These kits cover your downtube, top tube, seat stays, chainstays and feature some extra protection to apply where needed.
Both of these companies offer fun patterns and colors that both protect and add personality to your bike.
This option is a lot easier to apply, but the areas it protects are limited.
Option 3) Customized Frame Protection
The top-tier option for frame protection is a custom-made wrap.
Canadian-based company RideWrap, and UK-based invisiFRAME, both offer full kits for various mountain bike frames. These kits are designed to cover 90%+ of your mountain bike, leaving no part unprotected.
For this option, head to their website, find your bike, and place an order. Then you will receive your kit along with instructions for how to install the frame protection.
This option does require some work as you have to install the protection. However, if you’re near any of their HQs, I’m sure you could get it installed.
I think this is the best option by far. The upfront cost will easily repay itself when you go to sell the bike.
Final Word on Frame Protection
No matter what route you decided to go, I recommend that you install some frame protection. It will keep your bike looking fresh and keep its value up when you go to sell your mountain bike.
But don’t let value stop you from enjoying your bike. Go ride, you will crash and scratch it, but it’s all part of the experience.
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