Mountain Biking - How to stop paint wearing?

How do you guys stop your cable/fluid housings from rubbing on your frame and wearing the paint?
I tried ductape but i was reading another thread that said this is also bad for paint work, and it comes off pretty quick anyway. Any suggestions welcome.

Using the cable guides that are on the frame is always a good bet...

There are aftermarket carbon protectors that help.

There are aftermarket carbon protectors that help.
are they just like little pads that stick to the frame? How much do they cost?

Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=Bicycle+frame+protectors&btnG=Search) is a search engine

strategically placed padded tape or even simple electrical tape works fine.

ok thanks for the help everyone

clearly you go out and buy some lizard skins. DUNLOP VOLLEYS RULE

Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=Bicycle+frame+protectors&btnG=Search) is a search engine

NO. WAY! :eek:

I just let the paint wear off.

You can try the furry side of stick-on velcro and also you can get clear auto adhesive that is abrasion resistant and is practically invisible.

Go to the local home improvement store. Buy a pack of o-rings that you can squeeze onto the cable housing. They work great and are dirt cheap.

Go to the local home improvement store. Buy a pack of o-rings that you can squeeze onto the cable housing. They work great and are dirt cheap.
Hey thanks, thats actually a very good idea. Although, doesn't that mean i'd have to take the housing off in order to fit the o-rings? That could be a lot of extra work (hydro brakes).

Around the head tube I use either lizard skins carbon sticker thingies or I use clear packing tape and just cut out a circle and stick it to my frame. I generally use the carbon for my mountain bike and the clear tape for my roadie.

Around the head tube I use either lizard skins carbon sticker thingies or I use clear packing tape and just cut out a circle and stick it to my frame. I generally use the carbon for my mountain bike and the clear tape for my roadie.
How much do those "lizard skins carbon sticker thingies" cost? I assume they're just like little pads that stick to the frame?

Six patches cost about $5. Here is a link to them. Most likely your lbs will have them for about the same price.

Clicky clicky (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=11170&detailName=Lizard%20Skins%20Carbon%20Fiber%20Frame%20Patches%20&style_id=075%20LIZPK2&dept_id=&deptName=&sub_id=&subName=&lprice=4.98&hprice=4.98 )

thanks. I'll check it out at my lbs

Or you could go fixed ss and have no cables! Maybe get a bare aluminum frame so there is no paint to wear off... On my hardrock, I ziptied some of the cables together in a way so that they werent always rubbing the frame.

I went to my local motorcycle shop and picked up a pack of clear vinyl number protector sheets. I got 3 12" x 18" sheets for about 10 bucks. It's pretty thick stuff and I figure those three sheets will last me a very long time.....

Dean

I went to my local motorcycle shop and picked up a pack of clear vinyl number protector sheets. I got 3 12" x 18" sheets for about 10 bucks. It's pretty thick stuff and I figure those three sheets will last me a very long time.....

Dean
I assume you just cut them up, right? How long do they last on your frame?

Ya, I just cut to fit. I replace it once a year in the spot where I get the most rub. The stuff is pretty darn thick. I've actually started rubbing the cable housing in that spot, so I've had to wrap it too.

Dean

Here's the stuff I got. You can get a variety of colors, I just got clear.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=13302&department=643&Division=6

ok thanks

strip the bike,
tape the important parts,
take it to a truck painting place.
Have them Rhino Lining it.
No chips ever. Guarenteed.

strip the bike,
tape the important parts,
take it to a truck painting place.
Have them Rhino Lining it.
No chips ever. Guarenteed.
Great idea except for the fact that it's not a chipping issue and Rhino Lining is some HEAVY stuff