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Never used anything like this before but I've just ordered a carbon frame and want something on the down tube and bb.
Is invisiframe easy to apply to a Matt black frame? Or is there something better?
Invisiframe is a great product, class-leading IMO and the team have been super-helpful in the past.
But, are you only wanting to protect the BB and lower downtube from rock strikes?
I've used 2228 rubber mastic tape on my newest build (chainstay too) and it's significantly thicker and more cushioned and was delightful to apply - if a bit more noticeable.
Mostly just to protect from stone chips.
Invisiframe is bloody great and very easy to apply.
I’ve tried All Mountain Style be it was cheap on Amazon and it’s crap. It’s really thick so it doesn’t always contour around the frames well and the edges gather muck in a way that my Invisiframe never did.
The All Mountain Style (AMS) honeycomb stuff is a lot thicker than Invisiframe - I use them together with the former on higher impact / abrasion areas (BB, chainstay yoke etc.)
There’s plenty cheaper but none better!!
I had just logged in to ask exactly the same question. People recommend 'heli-tape' but there are so many options.
My new carbon frame does not have a specific kit from invisiframe, tempted by a generic kit or do I just go with heli tape - links to a recommended product would be good.
@chakaping photos of the 2228 mastic on your frame? Link? Thanks!
I didn't take pics actually, should have done.
Plenty of other people have though, luckily...
https://www.google.com/search?q=mastic+tape+bike+frame&sxsrf=ALeKk02n52GfPbKKO__bTiWioL8QNVyOiA:1584304686504&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjuhLjwqp3oAhWxmFwKHcQUCTwQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA
Here's the seller I bought from...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-2228-25MM-Sealing-Tape-Scotch-Mastic-EPR-Black-3-03-m-x-25-mm/153671659523?epid=2256087894&hash=item23c78b7003:g:JM4AAOSwwRldl09N
Cheers! Anyone used the Zefal poor mans invisiframe or worth a shot?
I bought the generic kit (£25) from ShackWrap for my Stanton and the thickness / quality of the material seemed comparable to the Invisiframe kits.
I just found ShackWrap, good to know, thanks Frog.
Anyone used one of the Lizard Skins carbon leather frame protectors?
I just bought some 3M tape from Tredz and had a go at that on my new frame. £11 I think it was - bargain. I don’t have a huge amount of patience for that sort of thing - was just busting to get my new frame built up.
Doesn’t look too bad considering I blitzed through it in a hour or two. Got the top tube / down tube / seat stays / chainstays done out of 1 roll. At the end of the day it’s there to stop so many stone chips rather than make the thing look pretty!
Invisiframe is one of best out there but as others say isn’t the cheapest. My last frame I tried Dyedbro, it is thicker than invisiframe & needed a heat gun to help with fitting, I like it because it’s different & you can get loads of different designs & pattens
Invisiframe & Shackwrap both use the same tape i think.
I've just done my Flaremax with invisiframe & its a pretty good product but i'll be putting some 2228 on the chainstay & maybe a couple of other hi wear areas.
The Zefal stuff is pretty good. I bought two of the medium kits as the large one was out of stock
I've not used Invisiframe before but I have used 3M helicopter tape. The Zefal stuff is easier to apply than the Helitape and gives a good bubble free finish, my mate thought it had been done at the factory. Applied it to a new Whyte S150
I taped the top of the top tube (where your shorts might rub), the underside of the down tube, the seat stays, the non drive side chainstay (the bike came with really good protection on the drive side) and the top side of the downtube where the bike carrier holds it.
I still had a couple of small patches to go on the fork to prevent rub from the brake cable and mudguard
Invisiframe is a great solution to a full bike wrap. I hate taping bikes but if I’m going to do it, I’ll do it with an invisiframe kit.
Having said that for my SolarisMax I decided it wasn’t worth £70 so used some old 3M stuff I had off eBay and £15 worth of Honeycomb AMS stuff I’d already bought for toughening up a few areas on my RipMo. Stuck it to the NDS chainstay (as I’m very heels in) and it’s stood the test of time well.
I'm only planning on taping the downtube, BB, and chain stay so wondering if this would be sufficient:
I used a big sheet of what looks like Gusset tape in the past, the problem is with the really thick tape that it has a definite edge which attracts mud etc and tends to peel away at those edges easily.
I think I am going down the Shackwrap or Zefal plus 2228 tape on the drive side chainstay. Sorry @mjsmke I wasn't trying to hijack the thread, just in the same boat!