Pete asked...
I'm Sorry but Why?
...and Andy pondered...
if you are doing a lot of off/on buses / back of pickups type touring the extra protection would be worth it.
I pretty much rejected the idea outright at first for myself, then I got to thinking...
There's some situations where these pads could be useful:
• Commercial, dense pads might be helpful and a bit more durable than pipe lagging for in-box or in-bag packing for airline travel.
• Could provide real paint protection for rack parking if commuting regularly.
• Might disguise a bike brand or theft attractiveness, depending on the kind of wrapper/style.
One of the things that always made me cringe when commuting was watching how others removed their security chains or cables when they prepared to leave the bike racks. Invariably, uni students removed these devices the same way you'd pull the starter rope on a lawnmower...and the end would whip around and clang against the paint of a neighboring bike. Maybe that's why I saw so many of these things on parked bikes during my last trip to campus. Spiral-wrapped electrical tape was big, as were sections of frame padded by old inner tubes, though I think that may have been more to disguise brand names than for chip protection.
On the other hand, I suppose these pads could be the equivalent of car nose protectors (called "masks" or "bras" here). Sure, those protect against stone chips, but trapped moisture and grit can cause rust and scratches underneath and when fitted, you don't see the pretty paint job. The fellow who used to park his bike next to mine had an interesting solution -- clear packing tape, fitted lengthwise atop the top tube. I have to admit, except for some noticeable yellowing due to UV, it still looked pretty fresh at the end of the year.
By they way, Fixies/single-speeds have taken off among the local uni crowd. I think there's several reasons:
• Logical progression from single-speed BMX bikes, but with greater speed and efficiency for transport of bigger people.
• Minimal maintenance.
• Low weight.
• For those who ride Fixed, a closer connection to the riding experience and greater involvement that comes with a more basic bike and direct drive.
• A chance to emulate the bike-messenger style, which is also growing, complete with clothing lines and accessories to support it.
Best,
Dan.
