Rockguardz

Any viable alternatives?

Mastic tape.

3M 2228 tape looks neat and works really well.

This stuff: https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b00005456/

Make sure your frame is invisiframed or some such. And that you clean it out thoroughly after riding in slop. It will wear the paint through movement over time.

I binned mine of on the Capra I had a replaced it with a cheap rubber downtube protector trimmed to fit. Amazon is awash with them.

They can wear the paint, so some sort of tape between it and the frame is often a decent investment. and I take mine off evey now and then to give the area a through wash as crap can get trapped under them. They're generally well made, although I was a little surprised at the rough edge on one I was sent for my Enduro, Nothing I couldn't sort out with some wet'n'dry, just raised an eyebrow is all. Check with the bike manufacturer they may also have some thing that you can fit?

had one on my 5010 CC v2, dropped into a local bombhole and caught the bottom, went off like a shotgun..

the rockguard was shattered still in one piece, but no mark on the frame, but as others say it used to fill with mucky grit.

how about an old 1/4 tyre with zip tyes and electrical tape

I've got a rockgurad it has various chunks and cracks in it from rock strikes, the frame has zero damage so for me it was well worth the investment. Its not exactly expensive compared to the 4k frame it protects.

Had one for the last 5 bikes ive had .  The one on my Megatower has been on there for 4.5 years  and I will say saved the frame many a time in the Lakes /Peaks   .. for £45 why wouldnt you ?

Had one on my (Invisiframed) Rallon for the last 4 years. It's got what looks like bullet impact damage, from a rock that flew up one time, but the frame itself below is untouched.

I'd reiterate the comments above about grit getting underneath it, so you want to make sure you're frame's protected with tape down there if you want to prevent scratches, but yeah, worth it IMHO.

Had one on a Knolly Chili, funny enough sold the bike to a guy who works for them. I thought grit was getting under it as well but I removed it before selling and it seemed fine.. but it did it's job.

I've one on my Orbea wild - mainly because the Bosch motor guards are susceptible to cracking. Frame is invisiframed but I can see some scuffing to paint where it's not quite covered. So far its holding up well and taken some significant hits that could have been fatal for the stock bash.

I'd get a Rockguard. I've had one in the past and would have one again if they made one for my frame. A rock can make a huge dent in the downtube and make your frame almost worthless if you ever planned on selling it. I wouldn't use the 3m mastic tape, I own some for protecting chainstays and it's nowhere near thick enough to stock a dent if the rock is big enough. I currently use a Nukeproof protector, it's a thick sticky bit of rubber, better than 3m tape but not as good as a Rockguard.

Depends on the bike. I got one because my Stumpy Evo has a wide downtube to accommodate the glove box, with quite thin carbon in that area, and the standard downtube protector didn't cover much. Sure enough there's now a thread on another forum of riders who have cracked or punched holes right there.

It's a very tight fit, or mine was at least. Can't imagine movement damaging paint.

I went with a NP Mega rubber one for AM9. Rockguardz didn't do one at the time.

I’ve also got one on my Stumjumper Evo too.

I fitted it under the stock downtube protector over the top of Invisiframe. I needed to modify the screw holes to get it to fit.

It’s takes a few big rocks to it with no marks at all, and one massive chunk of slate at Dyfi that split the stock downtube protector in two and took a chunk out of the Rockguardz near the bottom bracket. I was very glad to have it fitted. Stuck some resin in and sanded it down and job’s a good ‘in.

When I took it off to repair it, as others have said there was some mud underneath it.

Does the Rockguardz protector for over the existing feeble plastic motor cover and the small factory fitted down tube protector?

Are you still using it?

I just use a bit of old tyre on the lower part of the downtube. Tied on with thin sttips of innertube. Blends in on a black frame and easy to take off to clean if it gets wet.

Well, 7months after my post up there, and my rockguardz on my orbea wild is toast - cracked carbon etc..... I suppose you could say it's done it's job as the standard orbea Bosch motor plastic guard is fine, but I may well invest in an Ali version to replace the rockguardz.

Rockstop say theirs is shatterproof

https://www.rockstopmtb.co.uk/explore/frameguard

Is invisiframe the best thing to put under a rockguardz on a carbon frame ?

but I may well invest in an Ali version to replace the rockguardz.

I went for an alu one after I lost a rockguardz on my Kenevo (took a hit on a log and came off - partly my fault for not using a strap and only come off once in 5 years). The alu one was a pita to keep mounted, so I've gone back to a rockguardz

Ahem...

Mastic tape.

3M 2228 tape looks neat and works really well.

This stuff: https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b00005456/
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Mastic tape is okay for minor slaps and rubs, but it cuts straight through on any appreciable impact. It's no good for a down tube protector IMO.

What I did do on my rockguard, is line the interior with mastic tape so it became a composite, with a layer of squidge to help with impact absorption.