Where are we buying...
 

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Where are we buying decent helitape from these days?

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I have a newish Giant Defy and love the colour, but the paint is a bit chippy. Could get the generic kit from Invisiframe but a bit spendy at £50, only really want to do the stays, fork legs and bottom of downtube. Any recommendations? Happy to buy strips and cut to suit


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 10:57 am
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mtb protex on amazon


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 11:06 am
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I’ve been looking too, the 3m helitape is expensive and out of stock most places. I got a 2foot by 1 foot sheet from www.ridewrap.com, it came securely packaged with syringe, solution, microfibres and squeegee. A very reasonable price too!


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 11:13 am
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Had good results with MTB Protex on a several bikes - seems thicker than others (inc. Invisiframe) which maybe provides a little better protection but is more tricky on complex curved surfaces.


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 12:22 pm
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Venture Shield from ebay, very similar if not the same as what Invisiframe use. Works really well and is easy to apply.


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 12:54 pm
chakaping and chakaping reacted
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Any recommendations for a tape that does not require the soap & water approach? Any that are straight stick on?


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 1:09 pm
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you don't "need" to use soap and water for any of them... but then you aren't repositioning or easily removing bubbles


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 1:30 pm
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I used this stuff from ebay in my gravel bike.  not super thick but overall very satisfied.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225578481141?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=sjUvmm3BROe&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hkILusGWSXq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 2:57 pm
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I've been using the cheap stuff from eBay for years and it's better than nothing.

I dropped my new bike against a tree today and did this to the top tube...

IMG-20241206-WA0004

I'll peel it off tomorrow and see what the damage is. Hopefully nothing.

I might replace it with something more robust.


 
Posted : 06/12/2024 4:42 pm
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I've used loads of the invisiframe and ride wrap, both universal and full fitted kits and they are excellent (and really work).

I've just this evening fitted some of the MTB Protex stuff linked above - its significantly thicker and harder to work with, much more visible too. Good for the downtube but your not gonna get neat invisible coverage like the lighter weight products.


 
Posted : 09/12/2024 6:28 pm
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I got this a while ago. It’s the same material Invisifre use, AFAIK. They own Invisiframe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xpel-R4003-P-Clear-Paint-Protection/dp/B0748QPJTP

currently unavailable though.


 
Posted : 09/12/2024 8:11 pm
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@dukeduvet

how do you apply this stuff? the instructions are for spaceships


 
Posted : 22/12/2024 8:27 pm
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@alric  for application I watched the invisiframe how to on YouTube as I read somewhere it's the same. So spray bottle with drop of washing up liquid and spray frame and vinyl. Place it on then you can reposition. I bought a plastic/foam squeegee thing from ebay to push down and remove excess water. Sometimes it took a bit to stick so don't go mad with water and hair dryer to help if needed.  I had already cut my pieces to size from templates I made up to fit various parts of frame. Hope that helps if not call NASA.


 
Posted : 22/12/2024 10:47 pm
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can anyone tell me if the MTb Protex tape is Matt or gloss?  Ta


 
Posted : 03/04/2025 4:07 pm
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I used Zefal Skin Armour on my Giant bike after finding similar with the paint!

The stickers are all pre-cut which makes application much easier, I got the large pack and it's on Amazon for £10.99

 Screenshot from 2025-04-04 16-02-32.png

removed link

 

 


 
Posted : 04/04/2025 3:01 pm

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