HereNT

So I bought myself a nice Bianchi track bike, and I don't want it to walk away. So far I've just used it for to and from work (goes inside with me) and 8am rides to get PBR and Jameson. I also don't want to damage the paint when I'm locking it up (already saw some green from it rubbed onto my lock).

I noticed that a lot of the photos of Bianchis here are wrapped in black electrical tape - I'm wondering if this works well, and if it takes off the paint when you remove it. One of the reasons I bought a new bike is the last bike (older Ross road bike) I rode got stolen for about 24 hours. They threw out the fixed Surly on the back and replaced it with something that was probably off a huffy. They also wrapped most of it in tape, then left it at the White Castle accross the street from where they stole it - IDIOTS!!!!!

When I took the tape off, it took a lot of the paint and decals. Then I rode it all winter and it's covered in rust....

I really don't want that to happen to the new bike - anybody have experience wrapping black Bianchis in electric tape?

Thanks

trekkie820

nothin to fear, friend. simple enough, wrap the thing up, and call it a day. when you want the tape off, take it all off and a good cleaner wax will get the smears and adhesive off.

HereNT

Right on - the main thing I was worried about is the paint coming up. The Ross already had a lot of dings and stuff, but the Bianchi's almost pristine.

I'd hate to ride it all summer, take off the paint and see metal.

shecky

If you have some handy, you could also use some contact paper. It might save some time covering a whole tube at a time, and comes off just as easy. You could even get some really funky patterns.

auroch

as one of the few propenents of wrapped frames I must add that I prefer wrapping with old tubes. better protection from dings and easy clean up. jeff

randya

Black electrical tape: good for wrapping bicycles, covering nipples, and....electrical work!!!

Friction tape would work too, and it's got less sticky adhesive backing than BET; but my guess is that the paint job on the Bianchi is better than the one on the ol' Ross, and will stay put better. Not sure about any decals, though...

OneTinSloth

randya, don't be too sure about that. from what hereNT posted, it sounds like it's an older celeste bianchi track. those buggers are NOTORIOUS for having flakey paint. i've seen a bunch that, from a distance, looked fine, but upon closer inspection i was seeing bare tubes.

before anything, i'd reccommend a good clear coat. just find some krylon, do a test area (say, underneath the bottom bracket) and if it turns out okay, do the whole bike. THEN do the tape. then you won't have to worry about pulling the paint off with the tape.

prevail24

old tubes and zip ties are the way to go.

HereNT

I'm not sure of the year - It's black with a green rear triangle and fork, and it's lugged. The guy I bought it from even took the time to find green leather wrap and do the colors of the Italian flag in electric tape at the end.

And yeah, zip tires - now if I only knew what to do do when I get a flat... Right now I'm a little bit worried about it.

I'll probably end up wrapping the bottom bracket for a week or so and seeing how that goes. I was going to try to borrow my brother's camera today and get some pics but the camera's leaving for Colorado for a week in about 3 hours

Okay, first shift is almost here. Time to start look like I'm working.

dobber

If your really worried about it, do the first layer upside down. Another trick is, after the wrapping, hit the area with a heat gun. The vinyl tape will shrink a bit, giving you a nice tight wrap.

And use something besides bland old black tape. Hit the Depot or something and pick up some nice colors.

HereNT

But I LIKE black! I was actually at the guy I bought it from's house to pick up a $35 black Miyata frame to build up.

I'm kind of happy that it was too small.

It'll probably have a lot of stickers once there's something protecting the finish, though.

dabern

Try waxing your frame first...may help with decals not lifting when you remove tape.

Ebbtide

Instead of wrapping the bike, wrap the lock?

HereNT

Lock has been wrapped since I started this post - I'd cut away some of the plastic on the Krypto I use to use a holder - that's where the paint had rubbed off.

But I also do have to disguise the bike a little. It's way too pretty, and apt to leave me for somebody else.

I got yelled at by a lady that works second shift at my job when she first saw me bring in the bike.
She said, "No girlfriends allowed at work."

Since I'll probably end up getting drunk and wrecking her, I need to protect the finish too...

That's why I'm asking about tape.

Jonny B

Hmm, interesting query. If you want something to stick, but no too well, I'd recommend putting some form of wax on it first (the wax sticks to the paint, the tape sticks to the wax, but the wax comes off both real easy). So go out and get some car wax (Mothers is good); apply as directed on the can, rub off and polish to a mirror shine. Then put on another coat but don't wipe it all off (leave a little, but not all of it). Put the tape over that.

*I've never wrapped a bike, and I'm just hypothesising here, but it should work

nhorscro

I don't know what PBR is, but Jameson is whiskey, right?

pitboss

PBR? C'mon...for shame.
Pabst Blue Ribbon...the TRUE King of Beers!
And Jameson's is Irish whiskey

Schiek

I think that may be grounds for being banned from this sub-forum. But we will let it go this time. BTW, it stands for the Professional Bull Riding tour, no doubt....

lucklust

I much prefer Hamm's (7.49$ for a case (that's 24 beers for you non-drinkers)), Miller High Life "The Champagne of Beer," or Milwaukee's Beast... PBR is about as high-falooting and snobby as that guy with a Ferrari!

merztime

Anyone have experience with the 2004 Pista and making it less attractive to thieves? I've been thinking about getting one, but I have a feeling my shiny all chrome bike won't last long in downtown Philly. I thought about covering it BET or contact paper, but I'd like to see how it looks first if I can.

progre-ss

Thought you meant PBR and Jenna Jameson. Now that would be worth getting up at 8am for!!

randya

Have you been spending your time at drunkcyclist.com???

HereNT

I work graveyards - that's why it's 8am runs. Gotta wait an hour and a half after work if I'm out of beer.

nocoins

I agree, I dont think a new pista would last long in philly....if you left it out overnight. .... our outside McGlinchys for too long.

where in philly are you? I was worried about my Fuji Track bike being stolen, but I have had it a few months now and its been fine...I used blue painters tape to cover up the downtube and some other areas on the bike. I like the color, but this is only temporary until the weather warms up and I can paint it. I think no matter what, you will want to cover the bike and personalize it somehow, i think its less likely to be stolen that way....especially in a small city like philly.

dobber

They still sell Hamms (from the land of sky blue water). I haven't seen it in ages. Oh what I wouldn't give for a couple cases. Or Strohs, the beer of my youth.

As it is, I just settle for Rolling Rock, or skulk across the border for some real Canadian beer.