Installing and Shredding the RideWrap Tailored Protection Kit – Mountain Bike Feature

RideWrap has been making frame protection kits since 2018 with the mission of keeping bikes looking good no matter what is thrown at them. They offer everything from protection from normal wear and tear to precision cut kits for specific frame models with minimal gaps between seams. When I purchased a fresh new Canyon transmitter at the beginning of the season, I wanted to make sure the shiny white paint would stay that way when I took it to Whistler and subjected it to the harshest conditions. RideWrap is based in Whistler, so they know a thing or two about making products that can survive serious bike abuse. With an upcoming summer full of travel and cycling and a trip to Crankworx, a protection kit seemed like a good idea to give me peace of mind to keep my bike in pristine condition.

RideWrap kits are made from a self-healing, hydrophobic material and are offered in three different levels of protection: Essential Protection, Covered Protection and Tailored Protection. To protect against basic wear and tear, the Essential Protection set consists of a few large pieces of film with precisely cut sections that can be placed where needed and cover approximately 30% of the frame. The Covered Protection Kit protects against more irregular forms of wear and tear such as bike locks, transport and unexpected accidents. It covers about 60% of the frame. For the highest level of protection, the Tailored Protection Kit guards against all possible scenarios that could damage a frame. With precise stitching between all parts and an exact fit for specific bike models and frame sizes, this kit covers approximately 95% of the frame. With a summer full of downhill cycling planned, I opted for the Tailored Protection kit to prevent my bike’s high-gloss finish from fading and losing its shine. RideWrap offers its kits in either a matte or gloss finish to maintain or change the look of your bike. I stuck with the glossy varnish.

Everything necessary is included in the box to ensure a bubble-free and smooth installation. Cleaning cloths, microfiber cloths, soapy water solutions and a squeegee are included. When unrolling the film roll, the attention to detail is impressive. My kit contained 21 pieces that fit together with only a few millimeters of space between sections. Installing the Tailored Protection kit requires a little patience and a lot of fine-tuning, but the end result is nearly invisible seams that require a keen eye to detect.

If patience isn’t your thing, RideWrap can install your kit for you at one of three locations in Whistler, BC, Golden, CO and now Santa Cruz, CA. If your frame is not on the list for a custom protection kit, you can submit a request to have one created or send the frames to RideWrap headquarters in Whistler for measurement, where a matching protection kit will be made.

installation

1. Wash the bike. In my case the bike was new out of the box.
2. Remove the wheels along with any bolted frame guards or cable guides. I chose to completely disassemble the bike to free up as much space as possible, but that’s not necessary.
3. Before installation, use the RideWrap cleaning wipes to remove any residue, oil, grease, dirt or water stains from washing that may be on the frame.
4. Mix the slip solution in a spray bottle with water and one to four drops of the solution provided. Some kits require more or less; For more information, see the instructions on the RideWrap website.
5. Use the bike diagram provided to figure out where each part should be placed. Parts are numbered in the recommended installation order.

6. Using the spray bottle, wet the frame and protector with the slip solution. The more spray used, the easier it is to position each piece of protection.

7. Curves, cable holes and defining frame features help align each protective piece. Once you have lined up some pieces, make sure to leave 3mm of space between each piece to get the best possible result. Additional slip solution can be used to reposition the parts.

8. Secure the pieces using the squeegee to push any bubbles starting from the center of each piece toward the edges.

9. Use the microfiber cloth to remove moisture from the edges to increase adhesion. This means the edges stick better.

10. For particularly difficult parts, light heat can be used to bond the edges by drying out the slip solution. Be careful not to use too much heat as it may melt or damage the protective film.

11. Look carefully at all the edges and corners to make sure everything is secure and there are no air bubbles left.

12. Get out and drive!

My experience

With the frame fully protected, I was ready for a summer of rocks, dirt, and trailside brush on my new bike. The weather at Crankworx last summer gave me a little bit of everything, and the maiden voyage of my brand new bike included multiple flights in a bike box, hours of laps in the pouring rain, and a dirty flight home. Although I felt sorry for the frame bearings, not having to worry about the paint being rubbed off by muddy pant legs or abusive baggage handlers was a welcome change. Post-trip inspection of the frame revealed nothing more than a few very minor scuffs along the sharpest edge of the top tube, while the rest of the frame looked as shiny as the day it came out of the box. Every time I’ve wiped the frame since then the results have remained consistent. There are many frame protection kits on the market that offer adequate protection, but few are as discreet as the RideWrap Tailored Protection kit while providing the same level of protection.

For more information or to order a kit for yourself, please visit ridewrap.com