Top Tube Scuff Protection

[Dianyla]

While cleaning up the preecciousssss today I noticed some paint scuffing on the top tube caused by the bike rack at work! Most of it seemed to be paint from the rack getting rubbed off onto my bike, but there are a few little scuffs in the actual paintjob of my bike. This is totally not acceptable!!! :eek:

Pic of the damage:
http://diane.rokatek.com/bike/toptube1.jpg

I'm very careful about how I set it against the bike rack, but apparently it still rubs. Then I remembered something I saw on the Trek Portland (http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/subcategory.php?c=1&s=4), which is a bike designed for urban commuting - it has this nice long rubber bumper the whole length of the toptube on each side for leaning it against stuff. I was trying to figure out what I could put on my bike that would protect without detracting from the look, and suddenly I remembered that I had an unused clear chain protector sticker.

I trimmed it down to fit:
http://diane.rokatek.com/bike/toptube2.jpg

After applying it, you can see it if you're looking closely or at an angle:
http://diane.rokatek.com/bike/toptube3.jpg

But from the side a few feet away, no see-um!
http://diane.rokatek.com/bike/toptube4.jpg


Just thought I'd pass along this tip to everyone else! :)

[Fuji Girl]

Cool! What a great idea!

Where did you get the clear protective tape?

[Dianyla]

Where did you get the clear protective tape?
It's a clear chainstay protector sticker, like this (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=22290&item=50-6570&slitrk=search&slisearch=true). Usually less than $2 at any LBS. :)

[mellic]

Yes the clear protective tape is brilliant! I put it everywhere on the bike where the cables are likely to rub.