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Ok, so it's a regular topic.
What I'm wondering is; matt vs gloss, and is there any point hanging on and not building my bike tonight so that I have a set of non-assembled parts to apply tape to?
I'm considering doing ... um most of the frame actually.
My current bike's picked up loads of chips from flying gravel around the bottom tube/seat tube up to about mech level, and the seat stays have picked up a few scratches from the Sheffield stands at work (but mostly from the other gits from across the carpark that only ride in on sunny days and use the same stand) Top tubes are obviously always at risk from muddy shorts etc...
The frame looks kind of dull satin metallic in a darkish colour, and the old gloss helitape I've heaved off (was brown and wrinkly... mud jetwashed under imperfect edges methinks) had definite Hard Glossy Lines - you could really I see where it was.
I've been taking a look and see a co called Paragon tapes on fleabay (they get some linkage in other threads on the subject) - any good? I've done an experimental paper wrap and looks like I need around 180mm-200mm to get all the way round the bottom tube at widest. Obviously the stuff gets more pricy the wider it is and the area that really needs protection is probably only the bottom third or so, but this seems likely to leave me lines. What are other people's strategies for taping?
Anyone used the Matte tape on this sort of finish?
anyone?
I got the Matt tape from paragon on e bay, it goes on fine.
I've only had it on for a week on my annodised frame so I couldn't tell if it's as tuff as they suggest.
I've got Paragon matte tape on a matte adonized frame. It works ok so far (6 months ish) with no scratches- but it's no where near as thick / bouncy as the 3m tape from JRA (which is glossy).
Glossy tape on non gloss frame looks obvious.
On balance - you've got a satin / matte frame: paragon. It should be fine.
I got some really thick protection tape from rose,have used the swedish made frame tape,it's much thicker and softer.seems pretty good.
there's two frame tapes on rose,Its the dearer one.
The tape from Just Riding Along is amazing.....thick, easy to fit, doesn't fade and is virtually invisible 🙂
Have tried several different companies and have wasted plenty of pennies 🙁 JRA everyday!!!
The tape from Just Riding Along is amazing.....thick easy to fit, doesn't fade and is virtually invisible
I agree - unless you put on a matte / satin frame when it stands out like a reflective sore thumb!
Should have read the question more carefully.
JRA=super glossy amazingness, not so matt.
Lol, thanks guys!
So, do you just go for patch coverage, say leading edge of tubes (my bottom tube is about 170mm at the welds to the head tube, so underside and decal coverage would be about 120mm wide) or just wrap the entire tube if you're doing a given tube?
The previous owner of this frame had tape in very specific places, on the whole possibly aiming more at decal preservation plus shorts rub than anything else... and like i say, especially with the glossy tape used it's very obviously taped in some areas and not others.
I guess, it'll depend on the frame finish, how precious you are about the bike and how long you intend to keep it for.
So the previous owner had tape just in the key areas? How's the rest of it looking?
not too bad.
my main concern tbh, is that I've got quite a lot of damage from flying gravel chips in places that would not normally be considered 'key areas' on my other bike that I've put there with my riding.
I'm revising what I consider 'key areas' in the light of visible damage to my other frame, but just wondering if it would be better to do whole tube radius or just the face likely to take the hit.
Obviously only the face taking the hit needs the protection, but is it gonna look cr@p half wrapped? I'm not looking to turn the bike into a runway bling supermodel but I don't actively want to make it look silly either!
You can get 3m heli tape from car paint suppliers its cheaper than bike specific stuff and comes in a role. best way to fit it is with a small spray of soapy solution very weak mix apply on. with the water makes it moveable slightly and easier to get bubbles out then once done gentle heat with a hot air gun to dry the water from underneath causing bubbles afterwards when it dries. takes time to get right wen putting all the way round down tube but you wont see it unless you go close up. it took lots of practice on customers cars before i did my bike. also good for protecting fork lowers.
Also its better to wash bike or parts with just water as soaps and bike lubes will also make it full of bubbles.