Making my own Top tube Protector
 

Buying those things is just ridiculous I think, no? For those who don't really get what I'm talking about, it's one of these:
http://www.under-the-weather.ca/cate...ssories/cushy/

So.

What's involved in making one? Buy your own fabric, cut it into proper dimension and sew on velcro. Anything I missed? Any particular type of fabric that I should use? I mainly want it so that my TT won't get scratched when I lock it onto a street sign or something.

Don't forget the foam tubing also. Might be a little difficult finding a thinner type compared to the common swimming tubes at Walmart and etc.

Check out http://cyclingframepads.com/ for $10 with free shipping inside the US if you would rather buy it.

closed cell pipe insulation works just fine if you want the padding. If you just want to protect your paint, a little electrical tape will work and makes you look totally hip and DIY (then again, it can't be taken on and off)

hold on a tick.... closed cell pipe insulation wrapped in electrical tape. Damn, I'm good.

i made one of these for my friend
the material i used was canvas
but if you want it waterproof then go for something else? nylon maybe?

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2389/dscn0118cnv.jpg

That still can't be taken off

and I am just worried about paint chipping... I'm not going to be throwing my bike onto a pole... Is that what people do? What's the padding really for?

hey are these used to just protect paint~ (well plus style if you're into these)? or are there more reasons to have these?

i just used my old handlebar tape and wrapped it. it looks nice.

the padding is so when u carry it up 3 stories to ur apartment, it doesnt hurt ur shoulders

Also maybe a weiner/vagina protector..if your frames a little too big.

padding can also help if you brace your bike with your inner thigh when you skid. still, not a good reason to spend 30 dollars on something you can clearly make yourself.

My apartment is on the 3rd floor and I manage fine without a TT decoration.

My frame is right size for me. Thanks for your concern though ;)

It makes sense, but I don't skid often enough to need it

I was thinking of just stitching together several layers of canvas and I think that would do the trick just fine. I just need to find a store that sells sheets of canvas. Perhaps 7eleven can tell me where s/he got her/his canvas?

use color electrical tape to color match then

Canvas alone will protect your paint from some but not all scratching, provides no ding protection at all. Add some foam to your mix if your intention was ding protection.

lol, you should see some of the ridiculous things people buy. Many buy ours, can't keep them stocked.

They're more expensive than most but then again we enclose the foam completely, use proper foam and materials, offer hundreds of colour combinations via fabric, trim and thread, offer any length / width to exacting specification, will quilt your pad, offer 3 different foam widths (1/4", 3/8", 1/2") and offer Velcro, snaps, laced or even zippered closures, hell even magnetic if you like. It may be ridiculous it's true, but then again I can make my own shoes too, but still buy ones better than I could make. :)

wtf does ding protection mean?

ding protection is protection for your ding.

i bought my fabric at a place called Fabric Mart
just find a place that specifically sells fabrics and junk
i think even walmart sells fabric

for the foam on the inside, you could go to home depot and get some foam pipe insulation or get the foam insulation that they use for carpets. another option would be sheets of foam that they use in upholstery or just put a towel inside.

I just wrapped mine in black vinyl. Works good

wrap a piece of shamwow over your TT and cable tie it down. absorbs your crotch sweat.

... ew

I'm liking the idea of wrapping handbar tape and electrical tape over it... just the question of what colour. This is my bike:

http://www.physics.carleton.ca/~rueno/img/koral_sm.jpg

hahaha nice

my idea ;)

i have black handlebar tape on mine with black electrical tape on both ends to keep it tight.

handlebar tape will give u some cushion to prevent ding too and its not bulky looking like foam.

just use black, it'll match the blue/black scheme

I'm not very adept with the needle and thread so I had my girlfriend make me one. She used a piece of an old temperpedic mattress for foam, the back portion of an old backpack for the cover and some snaps to hold it on the bike. It looks and works great. $30 is ridiculous, but I think they sell them on ebay for $10.

No.

Why exactly do fixies need top tube pads?

Is it:
a: Because their owners all live in walk-ups and need to protect their shoulders?
b: For tricks?
c: Fashion?
d: Because the fixie crowd cares more about their paint than other groups, and are ahead of the curve of this practical bit of kit?
e: An homage to the awesome BMXers of 1985?

Please don't say that it's 'c', because to me, they look tragic. No offence intended.

All sorts of bikes get top tube pads not just fixies, and whatever other reasons people have for using them they are merely to protect the top tube from scratches, nicks and dings. Since they get put onto a bicycle, much consideration is given to appearance as with anything that goes onto a bicycle.


(Scratches, Nicks & Dings*)


http://www.under-the-weather.ca/images/ttube.jpg




*kcirick a ding is a small dint/dent usually the result of 2 bits of metal contacting each other quick, like if you were locking your bike and let it slip against the pole, or worse, when some ****** lets their bike ding against yours when they lock up.

I had an 07 paddy wagon, was a very dependable ride. I'm on a Ute some days, old cruiser on others, while looking around for a ride for summer.