RFC

I have finished touching up my Bianchi Rekord and I think it came out nicely. However, the chainstay paint was chewed up and still looks pretty rough. I'm going to cover that spot with a chainstay protector.

What do you suggest for protectors, either commercially available or clever DIY?

Thanks

sloar

I always buy clear ones off eBay, cheap, they also have colors. I have used electrical tape and just rounded the corners.

Chombi

You can also look for chromed metal ones that stick on to your chainstay. It will cover over/hide bad nicks and scrathes better than the thick tape version do. They used to make lots of them in the 80's and I occasionally run into them at eBay. I'd only use the clear ones if the bike is new and/or the paint on the chainstay is still perfect.

Chombi

mikemowbz

Soma sells the old-school chromed type:

https://store.somafab.com/sochpr1.html

That's the stuff if you want to cover up some chippy pain on the stay, and look shiny doing it. Might have to find some other goodies, too, though, as they have a minimum order...

Chombi

Hmmm.. maybe the one I bought back in the 80's for my Peugeot is polished stainless steel too, come to think of it.....
It was the first thing I bought for the bike after getting it (Peugeot had a foil type tape on the stay originally and was so thin and fragile that it was really just there for looks. Peeled it of immediately!) and it's been on the Peugeot's chainstay, successfully protecting it from chips and scratches since 1984....

dedhed

There is always this classic.
https://www.bianchiusa.com/store/your...protector.html

frantik

just braze one of these on

puchfinnland

in all honesty-that is a helluva good design!
but I dont think it will work on a roadbike.

I know some cars have stick on "gravelguards" behind wheel openings, got to be some way to glue on clear vinyl,so it looks good-maybe silicone?

frantik

i know it's pretty cool actually. I have that on my 86 apex.. only problem is the spokes are for a high flange hub and i have low flange hubs, so they are kinda useless as backups to me. also, if they come lose they can end up jamming in your wheel. that happened to me one time, luckily nothing bad happened though

jrhii

A few months ago I was cleaning my bike and notice the old chainstain protector that had been on there since I got it in spring of 2011 was peeling. I took it off and noticed that it was covering up exposed metal/minor rust. I ended up just wrapping white (because it makes a nice contrast with the blue) electrical tape around the chainstays, as well as the lower half of the forks for decorative measure (and cutting it like one would bar tape make it straight on the end.) It may be considered kinda tacky, but it is a late 80's bianchi strava (30lbs, bottom of the road lineup) and a commuting bike, so I don't think I am doing anything horrible here.

Anywho, the point was that a lot of chain protectors are just the same vinyl as found in electrical tap, so if you are good with an exacto knife, it would do just as good a job.

frantik

you're ready to go!

Otis

"chrome" mylar with an adhesive back works well and conforms well to odd shaped tubes. You can buy it from a sign shop. The stuff is stronger than you would think. I used a piece wrapped around a seat-post to act as a shim and it held up for over two years and a lot of mileage.

Cloth bar-tape is good on the chainstay as well. Either wrapped or just laid down as a strip (if the adhesive is strong, or you add a little).

mikemowbz

Not a bad idea. Presents options. I've seen hockey tape used, but not cloth bar tape (yet!)...

ThermionicScott 

Ahem.


(From this thread.)

rootboy 

Now that is classy looking. But I wouldn't want to be that paint job if any moisture gets in there and stays. Nice!

zebede

Mine is neatly wrapped with with a strip cut from an inner tube.

T-Mar

That's my solution for my ATBs, though I cut and shape alength of aluminum to place under the tape.

There's also the option eliminating the root cause by switching to an elevated chainstay frame.

KonAaron Snake 

I bought this on eBay and it bites...peeling, seems low quality. I have them on other bikes and I won't make this mistake again! I'd use the clear Ones suggested early in.

PHT

I wrapped my wife's non drive side chainstay with a strip of innertube so that we could attach the kid trailer without marring up her paint. It actually doesnt look bad.

I usually keep all the old leather bar tape that customers want replaced (sad!) and use it to wrap a chainstay protector on beater bikes. I try to clean the area well with solvent before applying. Maybe the paint will get messed up underneath but I havent had any complaints yet? If it works on bars, not sure why it wouldnt work on the frame!

KvltBryce

Have you guys all had that many problems with chain rub/chain slap that you actually needed these? One came on my LOOK, and I have no intentions of removing it. However, maybe I haven't noticed damage on my other bikes because they are beaters in comparison?

RobbieTunes

+1 and with mikemowbz. I bought a couple of the Soma's when we had a group buy, and regret I didn't buy about 10. Easy to install, curved enough to fit the stay without peeling away, and excellent adhesive. Oh, and they look great. A black chrome one would be nice on certain bikes. I've used the LizardSkin version but it's often too big and I've had to cut it down.

Bianchigirll 

This one gets my vote although the leather one is pretty nice. If I could buy that as ready to stitch on, I would give it a try.

simmonsgc

Salsa makes one shaped like the metal ones, but made from leather. If you're into the leather thing. One came on a Vaya that I bought, and I've been surprised how well it has stuck on there. No curling or peeling.

The Golden Boy 

I did a twine wrap. It took a really long time. When it was finished, it was still slidey as I didn't shellac it. So I "capped" the ends with cloth bar tape.

It is kind of "precious" but I kind of like the look. Especially the black chain schmears on it.







My High Sierra has the same tent stake 100-Mile-An-Hour taped onto the chainstay that's been on there since I bought the bike in 1991.

Grand Bois

The bike is an '88 MB-2, which is not old enough to be considered vintage by my personal definition. I draw the line at '84. The foam tape is much older, though. I bought it in the late seventies and threw it in a drawer. It's more lake a bandage than a protector. The stay suffered both chain slap and chain suck damage before I got it. The damage really stood out because there is a white base coat under the blue.