Frame protection

We have 3 options that we use. Wrap a tube around the chainstay like a tennis raquet...ugly, heavy. Buy those neoprene things that velcro on...destroyed immediatly. Or clear tape...loud, doesn't last either.

Anyways, I was riding and ran across a dude who had a MUCH better idea. He's even made a business out of it. You know that soft stuff they put on the standing area of Jet Ski's? Tough, soft, water proof, and comes in lots of colors. Perfect! I said I want some. So I followed him to a windowless van with free candy written on the side. After entering, he locked the door. Actually, that may be a flashback from the Big Stick incident of '92. This guy just brought me to his garage. A MANS garage with WAY too many toys to ever fit a car. I like him already! I snaged a black kit for my Demo, and a camoflage colored kit for my SX Trail. He even offered to install the SX one for me. I never turn down free labor.

I know most of us will just clean our frame and stick this stuff on. And that's cool. Still will work better than anything else out there. But Mr Perfectionist has some other tips that make the install clean and lasting. So after detaching the cables, he cleaned the areas with Alcohol.


Then he held the precut material up to the frame, and cut off any chunks to match my frame, and cable routing bits. He likes to cut in the groves of the material to make it look even cleaner:



Next he likes to break out the heat gun(hair dryer is fine too) to warm up the frame and defender. He says it will make the 3M sticky last longer, and soften up the defender for easier install.



After putting it in place, he rolls a pipe over the stuff...apparently to push out any bubbles. Good thing he's doing this install, cause I would never take the time to do this part.


The stuff is easy to trim with scissors or razor. He even uses a hole puncher to make a clean hole for the screw holes on my down tube.





I was wondering what the defender, and the frame would look like after a year. He has several bikes in the garage that have been running the defender for longer than that. The material barely looks touched. And I peeled back the corner to see how hard it would be to remove. And to check that it didn't try to take paint with it. All looked good to me!


So my frame is finally protected! He even used orange zip ties on my cables to accent the camo material. Wasn't sure about that...but he was right. The stuff looks good...and I shouldn't have to ever think about frame protection for as long as I have the bike. Stoked! Highly recommend Frame Defender. Give Derek a buzz for any questions. Good rider, great guy, and a much needed product. Type GPrider in the coupon code for a discount.

Cool looking stuff.

Can I stick that on my shins?

Great idea, although I only see the need for this on a carbon frame or a thin walled frame like the Session 88, new Demo or similar.

where do i put the wax?

nice write up...In short your saying....use traction pads...like the ones used on surfboards and other water sports equipment.

Steve, Thank you for the review. I would like to offer all fellow GP members a 10% discount code. just type GPrider in the coupon code box for the discount.

Astro Deck making a comeback......

Mint Sauce wrote:Great idea, although I only see the need for this on a carbon frame or a thin walled frame like the Session 88, new Demo or similar.

I think this stuff is only needed on bikes that have chains. Shaft driven DH bikes don't really need it.

jdgrimes wrote:nice write up...In short your saying....use traction pads...like the ones used on surfboards and other water sports equipment.

There are actually several densities and such. He has played with the thicker diamond pattern that you see on his jet ski below...but it's TOO thick. So, for 20 bucks....getting the right stuff all pre-cut to minimize or even eliminate trimming....I'd just buy his. That's cheaper than buying big sheets anyway.

thats not a bad idea....
you can order it online and cut it yourself..

http://hydroturf.com/products.php?cat=Sheets%20of%20Hydro-Turf

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HYDRO-TURF-SEA-DOO-GS-DECK-FOAM-MAT-PAD-JETSKI-OEM-FIT-/270739137490?hash=item3f094f63d2&item=270739137490&pt=Personal_Watercraft_Parts&vxp=mtr

they got GP colors!

jdgrimes wrote:nice write up...In short your saying....use traction pads...like the ones used on surfboards and other water sports equipment.

The Frame Defender kits are precut to a generic shape that fits most any bike frame, with a proprietary 3M PSA adhesive applied to the back. They are currently available in 6 Color options
3 solids
Black, Gray, Blue
3 Camo
Green camo, snow camo, Blue camo

I wouldn't want to advocate the destruction of pre-shaped tractions pads that where designed for other applications. If you have any questions or concerns I am glad to assist.

whats the pricing on your kits?

Jackson wrote:whats the pricing on your kits?

20 bucks minus the GP discount. Code is GPrider.

To confirm this is made by the company Hydroturf and is fully licensed to my company by them. If you prefer to buy a full sheet and trim it yourself it will certainly work, but keep in mind that I worked with HT for over a year to come up with the best cut and density for the Frame Defender product, it also has the PSA 3M adhesive applied to it.

Jackson wrote:

they got GP colors!

sounds like a good deal... maybe you can order a special GP version in your density & PSA 3M adhesive...?

how much for a blank sheet?

New molded 2 tone colors will be available soon this year, Hydroturf has some new colors and cuts coming out that will be available for the Frame Defender line. I have already started production on the 2 tone you have listed, it is a thicker denser product and has to be tailored for the use on Frames. I will keep you updated when new colors come out.

$20 is cheap and a good deal IMO... .....those damn traction pads are $20 or more at the shop.....Thanks for the info!!!!!

MagicMac wrote:how much for a blank sheet?

What do you mean by blank sheet?
a full sheet with the 3M PSA applied in a standard color is around $80.00 in 2 tone its over $100.00

or are you referring to the cut design in the product?

jdgrimes wrote:$20 is cheap and a good deal IMO... .....those damn traction pads are $20 or more at the shop.....Thanks for the info!!!!!

Dont forgot to use the Pirate only code:
GPrider
good for 10% off
and if you are local, I am mostly available to meet up to save on shipping. Hopefully get a ride in as well.

frame defender wrote:
and if you are local, I am mostly available to meet up to save on shipping. Hopefully get a ride in as well.

are you gonna be riding up at skids and rainbow on saturday? id be into giving it a try on my demo...

Did someone say "Stocking Stuffer"? Perfect Christmas gift for the cyclist in your family.....or a friend....


Now then...if I had a DH frame that was actually worth preserving......

Comprehensive report!!

I'm going to be a customer!!

Thread added to favorites!!!

I'm supporting GP... I'll be ordering a kit... any more discount for 3kits?