If you are interested in a bike wrap, you may be wondering if it’s worthy your time and money…
Is a bike wrap worth it?
Yes, bike wraps can be useful. They provide a layer, albeit a thin one, against the elements that will help to reduce the chances of your bike becoming scratched or of the paint chipping when it’s not in use.
When you are outside, bike wrap also helps to provide a small bit of protection against the elements, but keep in mind that beyond the paint protection and limited weather resistance, a wrap is still a very thin layer of protection – it’s not going to prevent dents or serious damage.
That said, even if it’s minor, it is still protected and this is well worth considering for protecting your investment and getting the most out of resale value, should you decide to sell and replace it.
Should I wrap my road bike?
When you are riding, there are factors such as flying rocks or debris, or even the slapping of the bike’s chain when it goes slack in the process of a slowed change of gears. While it’s only a small amount of protection, a bike wrap can make a big difference in resale value, as it protects the original paint.
As such, it’s well worth wrapping your road bike. While it won’t prevent dents, it will provide a thin layer against abrasion, scratches, and the chipping of paint, and in the long run, this is definitely worth the investment.
How long does it take to RideWrap a bike?
RideWrap protects your paint by the means of a thin vinyl high gloss or satin-finished film that is applied directly to the bike and over the existing paint. The process for installing it typically takes around hours, with the lion’s share of the time being mostly in properly cleaning the bike and carefully applying the wrap.
Once applied, it’s quite good at preventing scratches, environmental abrasion, and even things such as heel rub or a slapping chain. As such, the time installing a bike wrap is worth it!
Can you vinyl wrap a bicycle?
Yes, you can vinyl wrap a bicycle and this is highly encouraged. Aside from helping to protect from the elements, a vinyl wrap is a good way to customize your bike without having to affect the original paint.
This allows you to express yourself, while still maintaining the resale value of your bike if you decide to sell and upgrade. If such a scenario arises, all that you’d need to do is to remove the vinyl wrap, and your original paint job should be pristine underneath the areas which the vinyl has covered.
Can you wrap a bike with scratches?
Yes, you certainly can wrap a bike with scratches, although you’d want to make sure that it was thoroughly cleaned and dried before you do so.
Vinyl wrap is a great way to hide scratches and also to personalize your bike in the process, although the design that you choose will need to factor in the size and severity of the scratch to ensure that the wrapping will be sufficient to cover it.
Does vinyl wrap scratch easily?
No, vinyl wrap is going to be fairly resistant to all but the most extreme of scratching. While it will hardly stop something as severe as a dent when it comes to scratches the material will typically be sufficient to keep the scratch from actually reaching your bike’s paint.
If the scratch is deliberately attempted, then this might not be the case, as it is still a thin film of vinyl, but for normal wear and tear a vinyl wrap is pretty good protection from chain slapping, small rocks, and other incidentals that may come your way during a riding session.
Can you wrap a carbon bike?
Yes, you can. Carbon bikes have a bit of flex to the frame, so this makes solutions such as baked ceramics a poor choice of covering, but something like vinyl wrap is going to have enough flex to be both practical and effective. That said, in an over-flex scenario, you will likely see an impact on the vinyl.
With standard wear and tear, however, the vinyl wrapping should be able to effectively protect your carbon bike.
Can you remove RideWrap?
If you want to, yes, although, with the self-repair options and the longevity of its good looks, a nice RideWrap may improve your chances of selling the bike. Should you decide to remove it indeed, there is a kit, or you can use a heating gun to loosen and gently remove the strips until they’re gone.
It is fairly time-consuming, but not difficult, so if you decide that you no longer want the RideWrap then you can remove it in the space of an afternoon.
Are frame protectors worth it?
Yes, frame protectors are worth it. When applied, they help to prevent scratching and chipping of the bike’s original paint and if you decide to sell the bike later, you can leave them on if they are intact or easily remove them to reveal the original, unblemished paint job.
Think of it as protecting your investment, although a frame protector also allows you to customize it to some extent, which adds to the fun of owning a nice bike.
If you ever decide to sell it for cash or to get an upgrade, it’s nice knowing that your bike will look pretty close to the way it was when you first bought it.
How do I protect my bike from scratches?
Aside from vinyl wrap, there are several ways to protect your bike against the elements and scratching or abrasions. Examples include such items as gorilla tape, bike frame protection kits, helicopter or rubber mastic tape, and more.
It’s just a matter of selecting a type of tape or cover that will adhere to the bike, but not in such a way as to be dangerous to the paint below it. This allows you to later resell the bike at the highest value possible (provided that you’ve taken care of it), as the original paint is waiting underneath.