So I've been using mastic tape as a chainstay protector for a couple of years now and whilst it's good it's a pain to put on and remove, and it looks old pretty quickly so needs replacing fairly often. But it does stop chips and keeps noise down well.
I'm wondering if there is something out there that is maybe a little more robust than mastic tape and quietens the bike? Frame/Heli tape are good as they are robust so don't need replacing but they won't really quieten the chain slap noise. And I don't like the neoprene wrap around protectors.
Does anyone have any recommendations for something I could use? What do others use?
old inner tube
Yep, inner tube.
I've always just used old inner tubes as well.
Heavy duty fluffy velcro tape, cut to shape and stuck on. Lasts yonks.
Inner tube fourth-ded. Wrapped around like a tennis racquet grip.
Blobs of CT1 or similar have worked well for me. Cheap, easy and effective. Much tidier than scabby wraps imo.
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Much tidier than scabby wraps imo.
if you say so 😬
Much tidier than scabby wraps imo.
Erm, looks like the world smallest dog has done a series of dumps on the chain stay........and doesn't protect underneath.
Old inner tube wrap here too. May not be the prettiest but is cheap and effective and could be considered to be some form of recycling.
I've also cut loops from the centre tread of old tyres. Looks a bit gothy but also works well.
I'm another inner-tube user, but you might also consider spiral cable wrap: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spiral-Cable-Wrap-6-60-black/dp/B002M2JV8Q
Thankfully we're past the days of a scabby old inner tube zip tied in place, or a baggy lizard skins bit of neoprene velcro'd on.
I would buy one of the new style rubber ribbed ones & use a craft knife to shape it specifically to your chainstay.
The Scott Ransom one works well for that. I have it on top of the standard Yeti one on my SB130 to make it silent 🙂
3M 2228 Rubber mastic tape and cut it to the shape you want, stick it on.
Hob Nob
Member
Thankfully we’re past the days of a scabby old inner tube zip tied in place, or a baggy lizard skins bit of neoprene velcro’d on.I would buy one of the new style rubber ribbed ones & use a craft knife to shape it specifically to your chainstay.
The Scott Ransom one works well for that. I have it on top of the standard Yeti one on my SB130 to make it silent 🙂
I totally agree with this, zip tie-ing an old inner tube isn't for me, I want something more attractive than that, even if it would do the job ok. Will investigate the ransom protector.
K
Member
3M 2228 Rubber mastic tape and cut it to the shape you want, stick it on.
That's the stuff I've been using but I find it ages quickly and looks knackered after only a few rides.
Is this the Scott one in question?
I had to scramble for something for my Solaris when mounting an archer d1x and ended up using synthetic tennis racket grip overwrap. I was not prepared to go the inner tube route.
For a better solution on a project bike, I was going to order this...
Raaw ribbed
But postage to canada is currently shitty so I haven't.
Looks more 'generic' fit wise than the one on my ransom.
The Raaw one is available closer to home too: https://www.bike-components.de/en/RAAW-Mountain-Bikes/Chainstay-Protector-p75876/many
Although saying that the postage is also terrible
Self amalgamating tape, or whatever it's called. wrap it round and tape up each end nicely with a bit of insulating tape.
Easy to install and easy and clean to remove.
Cheap as chips as well off ebay.
I like mastic tape too
Every, single, time.
You don't have to bodge something or invent a method using DIY store products - you can buy a thing called a CHAINSTAY PROTECTOR - it's specifically designed to protect your chainstay, usually made from neoprene, so cushions the chain and keeps things quiet, is available in a range of sizes, colours and designs, and is removable (due to the velcro fastening) to clean!
They cost anywhere from a HUGE £5 upwards and are virtually indestructible, I have a couple that are years old, have been on multiple bikes in all weathers and still do their job like they did on day one.
I use either an old inner tube or self amalgamating tape.
1" gorilla tape, pulled tight so it follows the curves of the chainstay. Snip it to rounded ends with scissors if you fancy. 2 layers if you fancy moar quietness. I might try snipping a 1/8th inch strip of inner tube to run along the top/centre underneath the tape next time I do it. but I don't know when that will be! Lasts for years.
nedrapier
Subscriber
1″ gorilla tape, pulled tight so it follows the curves of the chainstay. Snip it to rounded ends with scissors if you fancy. 2 layers if you fancy moar quietness. I might try snipping a 1/8th inch strip of inner tube to run along the top/centre underneath the tape next time I do it. but I don’t know when that will be! Lasts for years.
I quite like that idea. I have a whole load of little rubber strips so I could cut lots of little bits to go under the gorilla tape to give cushioning and to add to the shop bought look. Will hopefully look quite pro actually.
These are great, spend a bit of time trimming to shape and secure with a cable tie each end to be double sure. Only thing is I don't know if they're still available
https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/products/csixx-chainstay-protector-review
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core
SubscriberEvery, single, time.
You don’t have to bodge something or invent a method using DIY store products – you can buy a thing called a CHAINSTAY PROTECTOR – it’s specifically designed to protect your chainstay, usually made from neoprene, so cushions the chain and keeps things quiet, is available in a range of sizes, colours and designs, and is removable (due to the velcro fastening) to clean!
They cost anywhere from a HUGE £5 upwards and are virtually indestructible, I have a couple that are years old, have been on multiple bikes in all weathers and still do their job like they did on day one.
And crap at fitting in or around the complex ends of a full-sus chainstay. If I tried one it’d foul the chainring where it’s most needed
core
SubscriberEvery, single, time.
You don’t have to bodge something or invent a method using DIY store products – you can buy a thing called a CHAINSTAY PROTECTOR
Yeah, I have some of those in a box somewhere that I replaced with better solutions
2228 Tape.
If it comes off you must be applying it to a frame covered in grease. I've never known anything with the same tenacity. I snapped the chainstay of my Intense and it was still held together by the single strip of 2228 that was on it.
continuity
Member
2228 Tape.If it comes off you must be applying it to a frame covered in grease. I’ve never known anything with the same tenacity. I snapped the chainstay of my Intense and it was still held together by the single strip of 2228 that was on it.
It's not coming off. It's sticks to the frame fine, I just find the surface attracts all the dust and dirt from the first few rides and never looks good afterwards
Plenty of diy STFu's on the bike park made from fox 40 bumpers.
Old inner tube
Thankfully we’re past the days of a scabby old inner tube zip tied in place
As IHN says
Wrapped around like a tennis racquet grip.
attached with a one zip tie almost impossible to see it.
A strip of inner tube along the top of the chainstay with self-amalgamating tape wrapped around. If you use black tape, the holes that develop won't show.
As a slight aside - what glue for a glued on protector? Can think of plenty that would work, none that I’d want to use
That druid one looks good but my worry about these bike specific ones is that they're not guaranteed to fit other frames. Is the druid one flexible at all? Can it be trimmed? How does it fix?
When I was clearing my Dad's garage out, my first "mountain bike" was there. Before it went off to the bike recyclers I took off the shark's fin protector it had. I'm tempted to start using that.
glue for a glued on protector?
The shark's fin was held on by small cable ties and an adhesive pad like car numberplates are held on by.
I get very annoyed with the chain noise on the back of my bike, forgot I ordered one of the STFU's until it turned up! looks a good piece of kit.
I am waiting for this Eddie Master's VHS tape to arrive to try first.
Self adhesive Velcro works well.
. Is the druid one flexible at all? Can it be trimmed? How does it fix
Dunno. It's not been posted yet.
But, appears to be relatively 'unshaped' which would suit the BMC project I have going on
Butyl rubber sealing tape
fletch71
MemberSelf adhesive Velcro works well.
That's my nuclear option, only thing short of filling the swingarm with foam that quiets a 224
Just ordered one of these. Will report back if it's any good. Half price at Cycle Surgery (who are closing down).
https://www.cyclesurgery.com/lister.html?q=Ams%20chainstay
AMS chain guard
Neoprene and velcro, 3-10 pounds on ebay.
Designed for the job and work perfectly well.
Wrapped around like a tennis racquet grip
Ditto
Slit the tube so it lays flat, i thought smaller better, but i dont think the diameter really matters.
Start behind the cranks end, and put the first turn over itself while stretched, this means no zippy needed that end.
Continue to wrap, 1/2 covering as you go and keep the tube stretched. finish off with 2 small zippies at the mech end. Stretched it glues to itself and is really secure and protects all around.
I'm sure someone out there somewhere has wrapped his entire bike in innertubes.
Leave the valve on for that personal touch 😀 you could even attach one of those valve lights for even greater novelty effect 😀
Are marsh guard really reselling scotch 2228 for 4* the price?
Bunch of ****s.
2228 Tape _ I've tried the velcro and self amagamating tape and they work ok but are ugly by comparison. The less said about the "wrap an inner tube about it" crowd the better but you can stick your ugly bulbous grit depositories up yer wotsit. ;o)
I know you're not keen on the 2228 but until someone develops a slightly more armoured universal fit options that uses the same ludicrous 3M glue, it's by far the best option.
There's a challenge. ;o)
If your bike splits at the chain/seatstay, it might be possible to stretch a (small diameter) inner tube along the chainstay, maybe doubling up for extra padding? No taping or cable ties that way.
Not tried it myself as my Whyte has a nice bonded on one.
continuity
MemberAre marsh guard really reselling scotch 2228 for 4* the price?
Of course- they've had great success selling perfectly normal black cable ties for 4 times the normal price, why would they not expand that business model? The entire business is based on selling the same sort of mini-mudguards that others had been doing for years, and claiming that they're special and "designed for the world cup circuit", with help from their industry mates. Total dicks.
You can also use multiple pieces of 2228 and make a ribbed protector...
Today using 2228 I...
Made a seatpost ring seal and covered the unused ports on my MTB
Filled two thin gaps between armrest stacks on my TT bike to flatten the surface and covered other non-flat surfaces
Made almost invisible cable rub protectors
Made a fork bump stop
Made crank boots for my xtr 9000 set
Made a grip pad for my shifter lever
Received the Druid chainstay protector. Needed to trim a half inch off the cassette end but fits pretty well. Nice and soft too.
The sticky tape that was applied was garbage. It peeled right off so I abandoned that. Multiple solvent wipes, IPA etc and it was still not taking sticky tape so I ended up coating the rear of the guard with superglue then once dry using some 3M exterior mounting tape and heat to stick it on.
Will see if it stays stuck.
After reading this thread a couple of weeks back I ordered two of the chaintamer devices mentioned on page 1. Only used the one fitted to my hard tail so far and its done a great job of reducing chain slap.
Haven’t had a chance to try my full suspension with it fitted yet but it works so well on the hard tail I’m going to order another for my gravel bike.