[Closed] To Invisiframe Or Not To Imvisiframe?

Would the first vigorous scrub take off the sticker? Do you have to renew it after a certain period of time?

I was looking at a kit specific to my bike that comes pre-cut.

I looked at those but, apart from them not doing one for my frame, thought it was very expensive for what it is. Sure it makes life easier but if you buy a normal strip of helitape you'll have plenty of spare to replace the bits that get worn out. The kits, I believe, only come with one of each bit to fit certain parts of the frame.

Yeah, I thought £40-50 for a few bits of tape sounded like a lot. I'm not buying it to ride, not hoping to desperately preserve the retail value so I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle to protect it from the first Spanish love tap, or rock kiss it'll inevitably get.

Op, I used that on my ASR5 to good effect. Personally I prefer to look after my bikes so bear that in mind when I say;

The Yeti was a love-child, I loved that bike a lot and it represent 10 years of upgrading to get to that point, also paying respect to the work that goes into the money earned to pay for it. On that basis I wanted to care for it, and invisiframed it. The kit was excellent, fitted perfectly, did not yellow after a year I had it on, never peeled at the corners and was mostly invisible. Dirt does get around the edges and show a bit (my bike was white), but in my case didn't get UNDER the tape just ON the edge so scrubbed off. I followed the wet application instructions to the letter. As a two yo bike it was sold earlier in the year in very very good condition.

In comparison my current Giant Anthem 29 was cheap in comparison, is a tool for the job I need it to be (racing) and I'm quite prepared to have the frame show the scars of battle as it were, or to be replaced in a couple of years, so I have used offcuts of the leftover kit from the Yeti to protect heel and cable rub points, thats it.

Just an insight into my own thinking, others may not agree. IMO its worth the purchase if you feel the love for your frame enough to justify the price or want to sell it on in good condition.

Edit: I missed the two posts above whilst writing mine. FWIW, the cut is cut and shaped around the nuances of the frame and placed very, very well. You couldn't tell my swingarm was taped at all becuase all the edges were "inside". Its your call as to how adept at this you are yourself with some standard 3M and a cutting tool.

I've ordered the whole shebang (frame, cranks and forks) for the arrival of mine, partly cos I want to keep it looking nice, partly cos i've had too long to wait between order and delivery 😀

Personally I think a taped bike looks gash. It is a mountain bike and where I live there are plenty of mountains and my bike looks like it has been thrown down most of them. Like a proper mountain bike should.

I then decided to get mine done by them. It's really well done. Much better than my previous attempts. Also help in terms of cleaning a little. You can hardly see it is there.

A taped from does look gash, an invisiframe taped frame does not, because you simply cannot see it.

Fitted 2 generic kits To 2 hardtail and it's amazing stuff. World away from 'helitape' you get off eBay. When I get a new bike it will be getting a full kit, sending frame away to him if he does not already have a kit listed (note, this does NOT cost extra!!!)

If you have a nice frame, it's worth it.

FYI. One bike I did was my commuter, it's currently covered in a layer of mud so thick you cant see what colour it is. It gets locked to a rack outside at work and hammered through flith on the commute so wanted to try and make it last at least a little bit before it looked ruined. Last time I washed it the tape had worked perfectly, no marks, scuffs, scrapes or scratches. It looked like new thanks to the tape.

A taped from does look gash, an invisiframe taped frame does not

Personally I think a taped bike looks gash

[img][url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5603/15708660225_4327829f8f_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5603/15708660225_4327829f8f_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pW7Zpp ]Yeti[/url]

Does it?

You're not just paying for a few bits of tape though, you're also paying for his time working out exactly what shape they should all be to fit your frame.

I've only got one of my bikes done though, the one that looks nice.

The others are too cheap/ugly to deserve it.

🙂

But, unless you pay for the fitting, you still have to fit it yourself which can cause problems. 1 mistake and that piece is knackered. If you've got a roll you just cut another piece.
I can see the advantage of the kit but, for me, £60 is too much to spend on it. I'd rather spend my time working out what areas I want to protect and how best to make the pieces to do it and spend the other £55 on kit or after-ride beer 🙂

Roll of decent stuff costs little, but you also need to fit it properly. So, draught free, grit free environment, sharp scissors or a good sharp Stanley blade, a hairdryer, a bottle of IPA and clean hands. Cut corners into rounded edges to prevent lift, use the hairdryer to form the tape and soften the adhesive. On a brand new frame it's worth the effort IMHO, especially around cable and heel rub points and on the downtube.

I've bought a bike that's mostly matt/satin black, so I just use electrical tape. If I want to take my bike to a beauty parade then I simply remove the electrical tape...

...also Humbrol matt black (no 33) for the win.

When I get a new bike it will be getting a full kit, sending frame away to him if he does not already have a kit listed (note, this does NOT cost extra!!!)

@STATO so I can send the frame to him and he will tape it? Or have I misunderstood.

I paid £80 to get my Bronson done properly. Lovely job, keeps all the shiney bits shiney.

Very happy with it.

Did it to my stumpy carbon evo. Not the kit though, just 3m tape off ebay. Pulled it off to sell it, bike looked brand new.

Roll of decent stuff costs little

curiousyellow - Member
When I get a new bike it will be getting a full kit, sending frame away to him if he does not already have a kit listed (note, this does NOT cost extra!!!)
@STATO so I can send the frame to him and he will tape it? Or have I misunderstood.

I read that if your frame is not on his files you can send to him and he will use your bike to make a template for others to buy. Its not written on his website tho so send him an email, might not be applicable anymore?

Recently picked up some [url= http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/factory-effex-protection-/11572 ]Factory Effex[/url] sheets from Stif (more than enough for a frame and forks, probably do 2 bikes) for my new hard tail frame.

Half an hour with some brake cleaner, a hair dryer and a craft knife had my new frame & forks wrapped.

Did the main contact points plus under the down tube and all the top tube. Was in two minds about it as it turned the matte paint to almost a gloss finish in places. A few weeks later I had a big crash and did this…

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I'm 100% this would have made right mess of the frame if it didn't have the protection on it, as it stands when I get 5 minutes I'll cut up another sheets and re do the tape.

Have you peeled off the tape to look underneath yet? Oh, and did you bother with waxing your frame before you put the tape on?

There is a kit for the frame I want, but having some spare tape to do another bike does appeal. Problem is different finishes on both, so it'd be ok for one, but not another.

My Banshee is Invisiframed and I think it's great.

I like to look after my stuff (it was the most I've spent on a frame yet so wanted to keep it looking tip top). I'vve had the bike since July '13 and the kit has been great - it's not lifted at all. There are a few chunks taken out of it from crashes etc but it's done it's job.

My kit was fitted by him because teh shop I bought the frame from were local. As a seriel frame swapper, it seemed like a good idea.

Yeah, frame is fine and existing tape has been stuck back.

When I redo the it I'll do a neater job and cut it exactly to the welds and wrap it under the down tube too as it was a bit of a rushed job.

No wax, just some alcohol/degreaser stuff and a good wipe down. Heat is your friend both fitting and removing the stuff and keeping frame and hands super clean helps too.

What do you mean by different finishes? Matte/gloss?

Yup, one matte, one gloss.

I fitted a matte invisiframe to my bronson when I got it. Worth its wait in gold and hardly noticeable. Given the amount you're going to be spending on the bike it's a small percentage really.

If you stick to the instructions provided it is very easy to do as long as you're not a complete ham fisted oaf!

It's good stuff, it doesn't yellow, and it's pre cut to fit. I wish I'd done my bike now having put it on the wife's bike. I went cheap and did it myself and the result is nowhere as good. Worth the money in my opinion. I'll be getting some for my bike in the new year. It just makes life so much easier and it's such a small amount of money compared to the price of a new bike

My Yeti ASR5c came with it on. The fit and finish is impressive, however I found it thinner than the stuff I usually use. I wouldn't bother it again.

If done neatly frame protection tape is fine,often see it though with black edging at the cut lines. First thing I helitape are cranks then chainstays which always rub first.

You krazy kidz

I dont usually bother but my LBS did it FOC on my current bike, not sure what they used but I swear it wa not invisiframed until I then started to get rock strikes and a little more when I noticed the impact areas.
Worth doing, if not just to ward of the inevitable frame damage a little longer than normal.

1 mistake and that piece is knackered

nah, you can put it on and take it off gain a couple of times during fitting at least before its knackered. You'd have to go full retard to actually screw one up properly.

I'd highly recommend one - you really cant see they are there, although thin they are tough enough, and the fit is generally excellent. Application is easy too if you follow the instructions.

The reaason I went with invisiframe i got talking to a guy selling a rune frame at peatys bike sale that had been raced in Enduro for a season or two and was like new .

Just had my rallon done Thursday by Lee and you have to look very hard to see it , I went for the Matt as it matches the paint , kit is very well thought out .
He also did the forks , such fantastic job at such short notice to fit me in his busy work / home life at this time .

Have done them my self in the past (5 years ago with my last frame ) but invisiframe is unseen .

Ps I have never meet or spoke to Lee before thursday so not trying to drum up work just give a fare and truthfull account of my findings .

Yes £60 or so is a lot for a bit of 3m wrap but the job it does easily justifies the cost. If it's a halfords special for £300 then it's a lot to spend. On a 3k bike it's 2% extra to retain its brand new finish.

I picked up a new bike in feb, fitted this kit and after a full season of riding the frame doesn't have a single mark. It's also unnoticeable when applied.

I have a bit of ocd for keeping things looking as pristine as possible so this stuff is great. It also pays for itself at resale time as you more than get your money back selling a almost unridden looking bike

Had an invisiframe kit been avaliable when I bought my Spitfire I'd have probably bought one. £60 or whatever they are isn't a lot compared to the cost of the frame.

A lot of how the tape looks on the frame is obviously down to the prep work beforehand. I ended up buying a sheet of the proper 3M stuff and lost two nights of my life covering the frame. Really couldn't be arsed at the time as I just wanted to build the thing and ride it. Hairdryer/wet application and rounding any corners off definitely helps.

8 months on and the frame still looks brand new and you have to look close to see where the frame is taped.

I have a matt frame and used some matt tape from paragon tapes

[url= http://www.paragontapes.co.uk/gallery/matte-protection-tape ]Paragon[/url]

Its been great and only visable if pointed out

Alright, got the kit now. Does anyone bother with the tar and glue remover before having a go at fitting it? I am following the guide here: http://factoryjackson.com/2013/04/24/review-invisi-frame-bike-protection/

Any special considerations for carbon frames?

I used the tar remover thing because I had ridden the bike a couple of times but if its fresh out the box it should be OK

Would defo degrease it first, you don't want any oily fingerprints etc stopping the film from sticking to the frame.

Father Christmas kindly did my lads go kart, can't see the film unless you look for it.

[IMG] [/IMG]

I fitted a kit to my Solo last weekend, I've had one before on a blur.

All you should need to remove grease is isopropyl alcohol, I got a bottle from eBay for £5 and it's been useful for general cleaning and servicing.

Well, it's finally done. Not an experience I'd care to repeat!

Some tips:
- Left side means non-drive side.
- Remove the rubber guard at the bottom first if your bike has one.
- The shapes in the kit may not match perfectly.
- 8 minutes to apply and re-fit may seem like a lot, but is not really.
- Don't be too ham-fisted with the squeegee.
- Borrow a heat gun if you can.
- Be prepared to cut any cabling held together with a cable tie. It will make fitting the shape easier.

24 hours to cure apparently. Now I just need to set the wheels up tubeless and ride it!

What a bunch of tarts. And the yeti looks nice apart from the horrible rear end.

I loved that bike a lot and it represent 10 years of upgrading to get to that point, also paying respect to the work that goes into the money earned to pay for it. On that basis I wanted to care for it, and invisiframed it.

I was quite moved by this.

Personally, I rather like the look of a lived-on bike (and am slightly too lazy to do a good job of taping properly...), but I get where Kryton57 is coming from.

🙂

I've done contact point's on my Meta V4 after seeing some horrendous heel rub on the extra ride rear triangle. I've never bothered before as my bikes haven't had any paint to scratch, this one sure is pretty though. I've done a stellar job too even if I do say so myself! I'm kinda looking forward to scratching a bit I haven't protected so I can go back to just riding and not caring.

It's worth it on an expensive bike. The kits look better than any DIY attempts I've seen. After fitting an Invisiframe set to the Wife's Covert it made me wish I hadn't been cheap when I bought mine.