DIY Protection

Or, how to cover your delicate parts with rubber, fnar.

Chains

Problem: Ok, everyone knows this one. The not-so-gentle thwack! made by the chain as it slaps against the chainstay, removing yet another small chunk of paintwork in the process.

Solution: Take one dead inner tube and two small tie wraps. Start winding at the back, and go all the way up the chainstay. Pop a tie wrap on each end.

Rubbered up chainstay

Balls

Problem: So, fancy headsets come with sealed cartridge bearings and rubber sealing rings and keep most muck out no problem; cheap and cheerful headsets don't - most likely an open ball race with a plastic seal that doesn't fit properly, which will let all kinds of shite get flung off the front wheel to become lodged in the ball race. Rubbish!

FSA pig = not particularly well sealed

Solution: Another job for that dead inner tube. For obvious reasons, the lower cup is the important one, so, out with the fork, and slip a short length of tube over the headset cup. Fill up the bearing with fresh grease while you have the fork out. Even the most basic headset can be persuaded to last for ages with a DIY cover (and a hefty dollop of grease).

Tube stretches round under the cup
nicely covering the race

Filth

Problem: Chunks of dirt fly up through the fork and hit you in the face.

Solution: For no cost at all, an old (yes!) inner tube (again!) can be sliced and tied to the fork, to make a guard. Cut a strip about 100mm long, slice in half, and poke a holes through near each corner - tie it on (and I'm sure this won't surprise you) using four strips of inner tube...

Looks terrible, works great.

Pipes

Problem: I'm not sure I've seen many people worry about this one, but, I prefer less crap to get in my frame. The back of the seat tube is usually split, to allow the seatclamp to work. On my frame, that slot is right in the firing line for any crap thrown up by the rear wheel.

That slot will be filled in no time

Solution: Wahay! Rubber to the rescue again! A short length of dead inner tube slipped over the seat tube covers the slot.

Covered up nicely

Racks

Problem: Gotta carry your bike somehow. Some bike racks have clamps round the downtube, some just hang the frame from the top tube. And not just racks, work stands have clamps, or things to rest the frame on...

Solution: Go on, be surprised - yet more old inner tube. Wrap around the rack. Instant saved paintwork and shiny bike.