To Copter tape or not to Copter tape....

[Motozulu]

Ordered some off a nice chap from STW, ordered a bottle of rubbing alcohol in readiness for the new bike. Anyone on here bothered with doing this? too much faff or worth it to protect the painted bits?

Interested in your thoughts. The new bike represents a big-ish investment for me so want to protect it as much as I can, it's going to have a hard life.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Definitely worth it IMO.
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/1407...ixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla&crdt=0
I also use THESE* nowadays as well

*not these actual ones, I have some black ones but couldn't easily find a link.

 

[Cubist]

Yep, I'd do it.

Use the alcohol to clean the paintwork, and use a hairdrier to warm the tape as you put it on. It makes the tape more malleable so it sticks better to curves and contours, and softens the adhesive . Cut rounded corners and always smooth on from the middle outwards.

 

[derrick]

Always use it.

 

[Silver Fox]

I use it. The new Yeti has clear bike tape at various points on the frame to protect it from cable rub and stone chips.

 

[Motozulu]

Thanks all - looks like it's a go then. I suppose common sense dictates where to place it? cable rub points, heel rub spots on crank, fork legs, downtube etc. Good tips on application too, though I'm sure there's a youtube tute somewhere.

 

[Motozulu]

Definitely worth it IMO.

I also use THESE* nowadays as well

*not these actual ones, I have some black ones but couldn't easily find a link.

Looks a decent idea - used em long? do they work well enough?

 

[Motozulu]

Cubist - smooth on by hand or use something else?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I keep it to the barest minimum on the mtbs. They wear their scars with pride.

 

[02GF74]

i will be doing this over the weekend to protect a white framel haven't really bother with it for now

 

[Cubist]

Cubist - smooth on by hand or use something else?

Smooth on by hand. You need quite a bit of pressure, and I found pressing really hard with my thumbs worked best. I have it on the headtube where the cables go, under the cables on the top tube, chainstay, under the downtube and on the back of the seat tube. I also have patches on heel rub points and the outer edges of both chain and seatstays. But then I'm barking.

 

[Motozulu]

Cheers mate - then I'm barking too.