Anyone use one of these to protect your top tube? Not sure I like the look, but it does seem like it could protect from scratches when locking up my bike.

They are more of a fashion item than a protective item. Even with a TT pad your downtube and chainstays are going to get scratched if you lock up to poles. Scratches are just part of riding in an urban environment.

P.S., I'm from Toledo originally. How's the biking there these days? Used to be only a handful of us 'serious' cyclists in the OWE. Hopefully things have changed.

I went to a local sign shop and asked for some clear adhesive vinyl. I chatted bikes with him for a half hour and he let me have it for free. Just had to cut it to size and applied it to the top tube - you'd never know it was there and it protects the top tube from paint scratches and chips.

I'm just starting to get into the FG scene, but so far I haven't found there to be much of a community in Toledo.

You should come up here and we can ride some time.

Tool, not trophy.

We spend a lot of money on these "tools", there's no problem with trying to keep them looking nice. Some people appreciate seeing dings, dents, and scuffs, but others of us prefer to keep it looking nice. Different strokes...

I have one because I used to slam my knees against the toptube when I skidded I got used to it being there so I left it on when I switched to a freewheel