Mountain Biking - Hmm, should I get a chainstay protector if my bike didn´t come with any?

Topic explains it all, my Rockhopper came without chainstay protection, I mean it has some kind of invisible shield substance on it but thats precisely the reason I´m asking, if so can I just use a homemade one (black/electrical tape perhaps) or what is a good one that isn´t too expensive, I was thinking maybe a Lizard Skin. BTW, I don´t care about looks as much as I care about the chain eventually damaging the chainstay.

Lizard Skins are fine. I also like the Specialized protectors.

Put some cloth on the chainstay then tape it on with hockey tape...that's what I did and it works well and doesn't look too bad.

Hockey tape is the way to go.

i use an old innertube and ziptie it on
ive tried electrical tape... its okay and i'm yet to try hockey tape
good luck

Use a spent tube, wrapped tightly around the chainstay. Tie it off with strips of tube. This is the toughest way to have your chainstay protected, it also is the cheapest. My Lizard Skin got eaten alive after one season. Now, obviously a whole tube is too much, so just use about a 12" strip, and make sure to cut the tube into a flat sheet, exposing the inside. Wrap TIGHTLY. Tie it off TIGHTLY with two small 1/2" x 2-2.5" strips. This setup will hold up through hell itself.

We have been using headlight repair tape. We get it at the local auto parts store. It's a decent sized roll of clear adhesive backed pasticky tape. We pay $2 a roll, it also works good for covering the parts where cables rub the frame.

Ghetto...use an old tube and zip ties

Hmm I just ended up using an old tennis racquet grip (idea and grip courtesy of my brother heh) and zip ties, thus far it seems to be working just right and looks good (odd seeing a Head logo on a MTB but whatever, :) )