Bike wrapping

[OldShep]

Conor on GCN used Ridewrap and gave it a good test. 9’ 25”

 

[Webbo2]

To be honest most of us start desiring a new bike the first your bike gets dirty.😂

 

[Dan Lotus]

It happened to me but Mrs W was flush following selling her mums house.

Very jealous, I can't see that every happening to me!

Even if I did want to purchase another bike, I think it VERY unlikely I would want to get shot of this bike, being specced exactly as I wanted it.
In the long run I suppose I may well pass it on to my daughter (if she sis the right size) should she want it - if it ever gets to a point where I can't ride.

 

[Katana]

I think the occasional scratch on the bike reminds you of where you have been.

If you get a Brompton, they have developed a very clever paint that starts to rust, 10 minutes after leaving the shop. 😁

😂👍🏻

 

[wafter]

Long story short as I spent weeks considering this. My LBS called in a guy who does this professionally on cars. We bought the kit that was specifically manufactured for my exact model. I bobbed in one afternoon and was shown the progress. The frame was completed but the forks not started as the LBS had found damage on the forks. This proved to be a Godsend.

When I looked at the frame I was very disappointed to see the number of cut edges. Each a potential site for water ingress and peeling. I say a Godsend as Cervelo are replacing both frame and forks. The replacement frame will not be wrapped.

Another member made the very good point some wrapped cars look great from a distance but don't stand up to close inspection.

My main concern, and question for yourself, is how will I feel if it peels and looks crappy in five years time.

This pretty much confirms my suspicions - given the complexity of the shape (lots of intersections, few flat surfaces) a bike looks like a nighmare to wrap; inviting exactly the issues you describe.

A nice idea on paper but in reality I imagine almost impossible to achieve to a half-decent standard, and even if so, probably not likely to last well given the potential for peeling..

 

[Katana]

Conor on GCN used Ridewrap and gave it a good test. 9’ 25”

I think we can all agree that wrapping film does protect the frame but the million dollar question is that how good the bike looks cosmetically? I attempted myself to wrap the down tube of my gravel bike and wasn’t bothered about the looks so it did the trick in terms of protecting the down tube. However when it comes to road bike looks do matter so my dilemma is that I don’t want to pay someone £300 to £400 (Ridewrap charge for the film and installation)to ruin the looks of my bike which is in Matt black finish.

 

[boydj]

I don't understand the need to wrap a bike it won't be entering any beauty contests. The bicycle is a working tool - for sport, utility travel, exercise etc. It will last for years if well looked after, without wrapping. By all means protect the bits likely to be damaged by stones or chain strikes and clean it regularly. Fit mudguards if it's not used for racing.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I'm sure the Dynatech I had back in the day was wrapped from the factory as standard.

 

[Katana]

I don't understand the need to wrap a bike it won't be entering any beauty contests. The bicycle is a working tool - for sport, utility travel, exercise etc. It will last for years if well looked after, without wrapping. By all means protect the bits likely to be damaged by stones or chain strikes and clean it regularly. Fit mudguards if it's not used for racing.

Do completely agree with what you said. As mentioned before that I have wrapped only the down tube of my gravel bike purely to protect it from stone chips when I go riding along the canal. As for my MTB I don’t care if it gets cosmetic damage. However I recently acquired a second hand TREK Madone SLR 9 in Matt black finish and despite the fact that it’s 7 years old bike the frame is still blemish free. Therefore I was toying with the idea of wrap but apprehensive if it would effect the looks🤔

 

[Dan Lotus]

I don't understand the need to wrap a bike it won't be entering any beauty contests. The bicycle is a working tool - for sport, utility travel, exercise etc. It will last for years if well looked after, without wrapping. By all means protect the bits likely to be damaged by stones or chain strikes and clean it regularly. Fit mudguards if it's not used for racing.

I'd argue it's not a need, it's a want.

My wrapped forever bike is the exact colour I wanted, and I had it clear wrapped from new, so as to protect that finish for as long as possible.
Additionally, though I have not seen it myself, if the frame takes a blow from a stone etc, the wrap can quite often absorb the impact but shows the damage/impact point, protecting the frame, and then 'self heal' itself over a day or two to return back to how it originally looked.
It's also my best/Sunday bike, or whatever you want to call it - out and out racing pedigree, so whilst I have fitted mudguards to the gravel bike, I could never fit any to this bike.

Many people are not bothered by scratches and scrapes, and whilst I am not bothered on a number of bikes, on this one I would be, hence why I had it wrapped.
I probably would have just gotten the downtube wrapped, but this chap was offering the full wrap facility and was only 30 minutes away, and right near my office, so it was really convenient as well.

I don't own a 'nice' car anymore, but I understand a lot of people with sports cars have at least some of it clear wrapped to protect from or reduce stone chips etc.

A quick look online shows that the kit for my frame from invisiframe is £120 - but I know I would have made a pigs ear of fitting it, so I'm glad I went the route I did.

One other reason for wrapping a bike, which doesn't apply to me (As I have no plans to sell), is that a lot of people like to shift bikes on and buy the latest one regularly.


If I was looking to buy a relatively expensive 2nd hand carbon bike, I'd definitely be much more likely to go for one that has been clear wrapped from new, as to me that signifies someone who is keen to look after their bike from the outset, and keep it in as close to new condition as they can.

 

[MichaelW2]

A few length of tape along the sides of the top tube can prevent scratches, but I still remember where and when I collected the scratches on my touring bike.