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Got me a Stumpy carbon which has a dull matte finish (Nice bloke, dull Matt).
Anyway it seems to mark very easily so before it gets too many battle scars I wanna get a frame skin. I am notoriously over confident with my skiils and likely balls it up. But is any one manufacturer better than the other or "easier" to install. I'm looking at one that covers the main tubes not necessarily a full wrap (as that looks like I'd need to remove parts to fit it?).
RideWrap seems to be common here - self repairing, apparently?
All I'd say is Invisiframe would be damn hard to get right on a matt frame. Especially if it's your first go (and you're not a STW-invisframe-hero)! Only other I've used is AMS ( https://www.allmountainstyle.com/collections/frontpage) but that's not a clear one - although it is easy to install and extremely tough. (Good for under downtube)
Invisiframe employee here so obviously biased but.. Our product is designed to be fitted at home, no disassembly required with the exception of wheels out. Matte is 50% of our sales so not sure why you'd struggle because of the finish. Just make sure you follow the instructions, take your time, clean bike, clean hands, baby shampoo solution on the frame, the sticky side and once in place, on the top surface. Feel free to drop me a DM with any questions.
Matt red Levo SL here, matt invisiframe kit was really easy to fit, just give yourself plenty of time, and have all the stuff ready to go. Mine came out fantastic, only 1 tiny bubble in a hard to see area.
I'm properly ham-fisted but found the invisiframe ok to fit...took a while (about 2.5 hours) so patience is required. Get it wet and make sure the applicator is used to get all air bubbles out.
I've got a matt red Orbea eeb.
I ordered an invisiframe kit for the shop to fit when new but accidentally ordered the gloss kit.
Went with it anyway. Jack at Leisure Lakes Daventry fitted it and did an amazing job.
It looks great gloss.
Cheers peeps
I'd rather it was done properly and the thought of random air bubbles gives my pseudo-OCD a tickle. I'd look at a bubble like a tiny corner or wallpaper that's lifted and I'd end up prodding and poking it.
RideWrap seems to be the common one here (appreciate your comment TimmyCee but I'm in the southern hemisphere!). It's advertised as "self repairing"..... Huh?
I appreciate it's going to cost me a little more to get it fitted but I'd be happier. With the satin finish on the bike I'd like to keep the matte look.
I've done RideWrap and Invisiframe and Invisiframe was easier. The RideWrap coverage is better but the cost of that is tighter tolerances and more fiddly bits. It was two different frames so I am comparing apples and oranges a little bit.
Well my quote for ridewrap was $200 for the kit and $200-400 to fit!
So sod it. Frame's gonna get scratched!
I've had good results with helicopter tape of eBay.
Similar to invisiframe and the like, you just need to cut it into the shapes you want with sizzors.
They all seem to be much or a much Ness
I've both ridewrap and invisframe on Matt frames in matt finish. My comparisons are based on wrapping the same frames in both gloss and Matt and with gloss and Matt film (100% apples to apples)
Imo Invisframes Matt xpel film is significantly better than ridewraps Matt product. It's tougher.
Ridewrap are "cleverer" with their piecework but it actually seems to make it harder to fit than insiframe who use more pieces. Ridewrap need more stretching and I've even resorted to heat on some complex ridewrap curves
I've had each of the invisi kit shipped to me with no issues aside from COVID Canada Post delays.
I also did a generic Matt invisi kit on a Matt anno frame and even though it's not complete coverage, it's very discrete.
Whilst I think invisis product is better, I do prefer ridewraps simple backing film though and have had to give invisi feedback on a couple of instruction errors and pieces that have to accounted for factory installed chainstay protection.
Also used 3m heli tape in various widths on the kids bikes and my Solaris. Cheap and effective if you take your time. I believe expel film is available in strips.
I think a nice long piece of matte tape down the top of the top tube will do the job.
Bit of a thread resurrection.
Is there a consensus for how much frame coverage: full vs partial vs just the vulnerable bits?
Any bits you don’t cover will be affected by an almost magnetic force, drawing all manor of scratchy things towards them.
Just came across this thread, I have a new steel frame (Sherpa) and I was thinking about invisi for it? Anyone else done it for there steel frame at all?
Anyone else done it for there steel frame at all?
I've done invisiframe on stell MTB and gravel bikes, if it's a gloss paint it's super easy and 2 years down the line where the bike has had numerous frame bags hanging off it in all UK weather conditions you really can't tell because of the protection
Did my 5010 invisiframe. Had a query on it and it was answered promptly and very knowledgeably. Can't say I enjoyed the process of putting it on because I'm a fuss-arse but I'm about to get a new frame and will very likely get the invisiframe again as I find the kit well thought out.
Would be good to get a discount if you don't need the applicator from a previous installation...
I used 3m helitape on my steel hardtail, cutting it is a bit of a faff but it's fairly easy to fit