I’m picking up a new bike in a few weeks and I was thinking that I would add some ride wrap protection from day 1. I’ve been doing some reading online and it seems to be about a 50/50 split for and against using it. Do any of you guys have first hand experiences with it??
Thanks!
I have a full wrap on my nomad, had a vinyl shop put it on, it was worth it, no bubbles. Had an ebiker crash into me in predator ridge in Vernon bc min damage on the wrap non on the bike,
I’ve used it on my last couple of bikes, which I still own. I don’t see any downside to it. I assume they would look good if I removed it.
I would suggest getting someone else to install it though, unless you have some experience or like fiddly work. It takes a long time to do it, and even more time if you want to do it well. I don’t think I’ll do it myself in the future.
I’ve wrapped a couple of bikes before and I used to work in a signage shop so I have experience with it. Easily a two beer plus job, and it can look like shit if you’re not careful.
The last couple of frames though, I’ve gotten @Enduro_Performance to wrap it for me. Wayyyy better. Quality is great and I can just relax about it.
This is the route I think I’m going, I think I would end up pulling my hair out trying to get it perfect 
Another +1 for @Enduro_Performance does a wicked job at wrapping them and gets your new bike back to you quickly.
I went with a generic kit like this one.
Just covers all the areas most likely to get scratched. Much cheaper and a lot less fussy to self-install.
I wrapped my Kons Process when it was new. I rode that bike pretty hard, mainly in Bowater for a few years. The wrap was pretty scratched up, but I removed it when I was prepping it to sell and the frame underneath was in great shape. I skipped wrapping my new gravel bike last year and it now looks like it’s been sandblasted in a few spots.
Some argue it’s not essential just ride it and live with the battle damage but the way I look at it you’ve spent a lot of your hard earned on a bike, whats another hundred or so plus bucks on keeping it looking nice for way longer.
I’ve RideWrap’ed two carbon Transitions myself (well renowned for fragile paint) and took my time on both. The first took 2 evenings and a few beers. I’d say 95% as good as a pro job and satisfaction that I did it myself, a couple of bubbles but nothing noticeable and the wrap has definitely fended off large rocks which I believe would have taken big chunks out.
Second took less time to get a marginally better quality job, they were a few years apart and I think Ridewrap had improved the fit of the kits since then. The first bike had lots of heavy DH use, many uplifts in the UK using various trailers and for the most part the frame still looks excellent, not like new but very very good. The second had a trip through a rock garden sideways and it did gouge through the wrap into the frame, without the wrap no doubt the damage would have been significantly worse. Ridewrap alleges theirs is “self healing”, I have noticed a few small cuts have lessened in being so obvious over a few weeks.
If you have a workstand it makes fitting WAY easier, I took wheels and shock off, make sure the frame is spotless with IPA and get a spray bottle from Dollorama. I love trying things myself to save a few bucks and was glad I did. I’m just about to replace the second frame as it got written off (by a car) and will 100% wrap the next myself again. I wouldn’t dare try to remove the wrap from a Transition, I expect it would take paint with it, but for resale value alone you’d probably could peel it from an alu bike and have it looking near new.
In summary, on a carbon bike it’s an absolute must, alu maybe go for the essential kit rather than the tailored.
I’ve wrapped 2 bikes now. First bike was a used bike but it came out pretty good. I reordered some sections that I wasn’t happy with. Chainstays were the trickiest IMO. Wrapped a new bike last winter and nailed that one. Wrapped the forks too and glad I did. Will be replacing wrap on one of the lowers as it did its job against the granite. I say do it up if you have the time and that’s no better time when the bike if free of dirt. Enjoy the process because there are lots of little things you’ll learn while doing it like how strong to mix the solution and the wetter the better. I also strip the bike down, linkage and all just to make as easy as possible.
Ride wrap all day long. I’ve got 3 bikes wrapped. @Enduro_Performance has done my last two bikes and I’ll echo what others have said. If you’re gonna spend a small fortune on a bike why not pay a few bucks to protect it. And Chris does a great job and turn around is short.
Thanks for all the Kudos guys.
Really interested to see what the reasons against wrapping a frame would be. The benefits I have seen on my personal bikes are nothing but positive.
Easier to clean your bike.
Frame protection against small rocks or impacts.
Maintains original paint.
For example ive had a full wrap on the enduro rig for 2 full seasons, plan on replacing it this off season for a fresh look. They are also super easy to remove.
Cheers
CN
The main downsides were people complaining about the edges peeling over time, but that’s probably bad installation. Others were paint fading differently in wrapped vs non wrapped parts of the frame, and some manufacturers paint and logos coming off when removing the wrap. Seems to me if it’s installed properly there really isn’t much possible downside.
I have never seen edges peel, however dirt and debris will show over time on the edges.
Peeling would for sure be a poor install job due to improper solution balance.
The best part is, you can replace it.
I think edge peeling is mainly due to poor preparation not cleaning the frame sufficiently. Maybe 15 or so years ago before tailored kits were a thing I used the 3M wide tape on a couple of bikes and cut it to suit. It didn’t conform to compound curves anywhere near as well and if you didn’t have the sharpest razor samurai blade to cut it at the right angle it could be prone to peeling up and collecting dirt on the edges.
I found the Ridewrap Youtube video gave all the right tips if you’ve never done it before, but yeah I can’t see any real downsides to doing it.