Anyone have a preferred supplier for chrome chain stay protectors? These little rascals have proven more difficult to locate than expected. I'm pretty flexible on material. I can do glue-on alum/steel strip or chrome vinyl adhesive strip. Thanks gang!

There was an eBay seller from the the UK that was selling them for about $4 plus $3 shipping...I haven't seen the listing in a few weeks but once I do I'll get some and pass you the link.

They're chrome vinyl glue on

So I ended up winning several of these on eBay last year.

If you just need one or two, drop me a PM, I'll charge you cost + shipping. I've only got enough to make this offer to one person. It's not that I won't eventually use them, but if I can hook a cyclist brother up with current needs, I will.

I literally hunted for more than a year before stumbling across that damn auction. Nobody makes the alloy or chrome ones anymore.

A few layers of duct tape

I use clear contact paper (actually plastic film) cut to size so that the finish shows through.

I have made my own with the ALUMINUM tape (this is actual METAL, not just coloring or plastic duct tape) that some HVAC guys use. It's an OK substitute for the thin stainless jobs you can't seem to find anywhere, tho I think SOMA might still make them, maybe. With a little trial-and-error I've been able to lay the aluminum homebrews down nice and flat without wrinkles, from about 8 feet away they look "good".

There is the issue of looks vs. function. It is hard to accept that a tape, even metal, is as effective at protecting the stay as a stiff metal shield.

Then there is the question of how much chain slap is there on a road bike, MTB is understandable.

Road bikes do get chain slap.
Finding these stainless steel chain stay protectors is as others have stated a challenge. I could use a half dozen. A few bikes I have wear them, very useful.
Way back we used a length of cloth handlebar tape, still do on a few bikes.

Good idea. I forgot all about that.

Chainslap is very, very real on road bikes, even for seasoned riders with well-adjusted bikes...

You can minimize chain slap by accelerating over driveway aprons or parking lot speed bumps, lift weight off the saddle too to save the tires, rims and you undercarriage.

I hate the protectors that adhere to the bike. I have the most effective, ingenious guard on my Fuji Finest (which is 500 miles away so I can't take a picture of it). I found a couple additional at Cirque in 2010, which I bought (but can't find now either). Google obviously has been bought off by Lizard Skin, since I can't find references or images of them there either.

They clamp on the middle portion of the chain stay like cable guides, but instead of restraining, there's a chromed "T" that is perpendicular to the chain. If the chain "slaps", instead of contacting the frame, it will hit the protector. It's extremely effective and well thought out, is easier to install, negligibly heavier than the lightest of the glue-on atrocities, and is immune from looking super-ratty after contact with the chain, or water infiltration happens. You don't have to worry about getting them on straight, and removing them does not involve frustration and swearing.

eBay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Velobitz-Vin...-/251632838553

Hope you find and post a pic of this cause it sounds interesting...then there's the classic braze-on fittings that you see on Touring frames (especially JP and FR) that let you store a couple/few spare spokes on the topside of the chainstay that would also act as slap-protectors...dual use, and if the spokes are stainless: no rust.

VeloBase has a picture of a variant of what I was referring to.

These are it!!! Thanks dave cutter

oh YEAH, that thing! I have seen one or two, don't think I ever used one tho...thanks for the pic!

BTW, THESE:
eBay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Velobitz-Vin...-/251632838553
are "chrome" vinyl, as long as you know you're buying plastic...

There were tons of stick - on chain stay protectors in the 80's the best ones were made of stainless steel, and I think that's what I have on my 84 Peugeot PSV. I did notice the best ones are hard to find these days, and I just sometimes see the useless too thin, chrome foil decal versions come up once in a while.
The add on chainstay protector really started dissappear ingredients from bikes when about the same time seat stay chain hanger studs also started becoming extinct too......

My Miyata 610 had a U-shaped bracket on the chainstay as a protector, but some previous owner cut it off. I'm guessing it go worn, and looked ratty.

See a glimpse of the bracket here:
https://i0.wp.com/www.galaxybikes.com...ing57cm-22.jpg

Uggggh, I think not. I use .18 aluminum, I prefer O material, cut it and file it to shape and then run it through a roller or in the past formed it over a broom stick or pipe. The 3M adhesive tape will secure them well.

I also use the 3M type mylar film that you often see on automobiles as a clear bra. Sometimes detail shops have left over pieces you can get for free or for a few bucks.

This one looks crudely finished in comparison to mine. I just can't deal with adhesives on a vintage bike's frame, so that eliminates most of what is sold for those purposes. Don't think I'd ever find myself in the position of protecting aluminum.

I would rather deal with removing adhesive than the damage caused by a crude device clamped around the stay with a cheap bolt. That cannot be good for the finish and if something hits it the frame stay could be damaged and it looks about 100 times heavier than a simple protector. And as rare as the protectors are, where would one find one of those inquisitional devices. I guess it is sort of attractive in a way. Clever idea I guess. What sort fo bicycle did that one come from?

Ebay (veloblitz)

Came equipped on my 1972 Fuji Finest. When I retrieve it in a couple weeks, I'll take pictures. It is alloy, weighs about the same as two top-tube cable clamps, and fastens with a rather tiny bolt.

This guy

Chain stay protectors

Yeah, he has some real ALUMINUM formed metal applications (with logos) as well as vinyl "stickers"...looks like an option tho not exactly a bargain!
Thanks for posting!