Last spring I was at the local bike shop when a young man brought in his two-week old $1,900 mountain bike for repair. He claimed that when he was out riding on a local trail his bike frame buckled—and since this was obviously a manufacturer’s defect he wanted a new bike frame. The folks at the shop told him they would email a photograph of the damage to the manufacturer and file a claim for him and then let him know what the manufacturer decided. When the guy left the shop I looked at the frame and could immediately tell that the damage to his down tube was not a defect—it appeared as though he had hit a large rock or tree stump and it left a nasty gash in his down tube about four inches above the bottom bracket. The folks at the bike shop knew the guy was not telling the truth about how the damage happened, but instead of calling him a liar they would let the manufacturer break the bad news to him. I thought about this incident when the folks at Frame Defender asked me to review their bicycle frame protector—a product that could have saved this guy from a lot of grief.
Frame Defender Kit For Mountain Bikes
Frame Defender is made of a dense, but lightweight, foam that is intended to absorb the energy from a shock (like hitting a large rock or tree stump). Most of the products on the market that claim to protect your frame simply protect it from scratches—this product is meant to protect the frame from impacts. Frame Defender is not just a single pad to protect the down tube—the kit also comes with pads to protect your chain stays and four extra pads you can use at your discretion. The down tube pad measures 24″x3″. There is also a 10”x3” pad and a 8”x2” pad, along with four 1.5”x1” pads. The standard thickness of each pad is 5.5mm. These pads can easily be cut down to size with an X-Acto knife or razor blade.
Close-up Of The Frame Defender Pads
On the back of a Frame Defender pad is a thick layer of 3M adhesive. When you put this product on your bike consider it to be a permanent addition—3M adhesive products are meant to last. Normally I test every product I review, but there was no way I could truly test this product unless I deliberately crashed my bike into the boulders around Lake Michigan. However, after examining the product I am certain it will work as advertised—unless you get hit by a truck I think your bike frame going to be well protected by this product.
Frame Defender Kits retail for $25 and are only available from the Frame Defender Website. Once you get to their Website you can look at the 20 or so colors and patterns they have available. You can choose from several solid colors (like black, blue, and grey), two-tone color combinations and several camouflage patterns.
Close-up Of The Frame Defender Pads
As my regular readers know, I seldom keep the products that are sent to me for review. While I did examine, twist, handle and photograph this product I did not put it on one of my bikes (remember, this product should be considered a permanent addition). So, I have one Frame Defender Kit in perfect condition that I am going to give away to some lucky reader. To enter the contest for the Frame Defender Kit pictured above all you have to do is pick a number between 750 and 1000 and enter it in the comment section below (you don’t actually have to make a comment). The contest ends at midnight (CST) on Friday, February 8, 2013. After the contest closes I will use a random number generator to pick the winning number. If no one has the exact number the person with the number closest to, but not over, the winning number will get this Frame Defender Kit. In case two or more people chose the same number the first person to pick the number will be the winner. This contest is for U.S. residents only and only one entry per household allowed. When the contest is over I will publish the results in the comments section of this article. I will send this product to the winner via U.S. Mail at my expense.
elisariva
February 4, 2013 at 7:17 AM
I don’t have a mountain bike, so I won’t guess. Very good of you to give it away!
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 9:35 AM
Thank you very much!
Lisa
February 4, 2013 at 8:45 AM
915 I don’t use a frame mount bike rack anymore but I wonder if a cut down of these would help protect that spot that always gets rubbed. Just a thought.
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 9:35 AM
I hadn’t thought of using the Frame Defender for that purpose, but it would definitely work!
Dickson
February 4, 2013 at 9:16 AM
851. Bike protection!
Cary Gossett
February 4, 2013 at 9:22 AM
813
Megan
February 4, 2013 at 9:48 AM
I work with a hard core cyclist who has a busted shoulder from an accident a little while ago! I sent him the link for this because I think he would be psyched to win! I want to guess for him anyways though on the off chance he decides not to make his way over here : ) I have a bike but am pretty terrified of trail riding so I think it would be better suited for him! I am going to guess 963.
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 9:53 AM
I hope your friend gets well quickly — being off the bike is really hard for a cyclist.
Megan
February 4, 2013 at 9:55 AM
He is so cranky. He commutes to and from work daily and was always racing and then took a dive on his mountain bike on a weekend hang out with a friends. Poor guy just had surgery and is still in a sling. Just got the green light to start moving and grooving a little though! Not biking obviously!
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:36 PM
I think I would be a bit grumpy to (I mean, more than usual).
stagewest
February 4, 2013 at 9:54 AM
804
jason
February 4, 2013 at 11:18 AM
848
tomlet2237
February 4, 2013 at 11:28 AM
801 – Thanks. BTW – I looked a a Necromancer today and I decided I will eventually buy one.
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:38 PM
I am sure you will love it! For my use the Moonlander tires are too wide and the ones on a regular Pugsley are too narrow. Spent a few hours on the Necromancer today on some fresh snow (about 5″) and had a blast!
the drunken cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 11:50 AM
852!
Jerome
February 4, 2013 at 12:07 PM
874
cotharyus
February 4, 2013 at 12:09 PM
I’ll take a shot at some bike protection. 776.
JWK
February 4, 2013 at 12:16 PM
899
Tannon Oyler
February 4, 2013 at 12:25 PM
956
Papi
February 4, 2013 at 12:26 PM
816! I love a good giveaway…and you always have the best giveaway goods. Here’s to a lovely winter!
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:38 PM
Thank you so so much! Good luck!
Jack C.
February 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM
880
James
February 4, 2013 at 1:14 PM
778
kwchannell89
February 4, 2013 at 2:08 PM
But it will cover up my beautiful frame!!!!
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:41 PM
That is the only downside. They do have a lot of other patterns available — but they still will cover up the frame. On the other hand, the cover will look a lot better than a cracked frame.
Jeff Bolte
February 4, 2013 at 2:20 PM
751
womencyclists
February 4, 2013 at 3:42 PM
Ooh this would be nice as I definitely see myself falling in the near future as I learn to ride!!
962
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Let’s hope you don’t fall! My last unplanned dismount was last year in the snow — you really can’t get hurt too bad when you fall into a pile of snow.
pushingmiles
February 4, 2013 at 4:36 PM
# 921 – I wonder if this would’ve saved my late touring bike when I was hit by a car. Thanks for the review!
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:42 PM
I think an airbag might be a better option!
pushingmiles
February 4, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Haha.
… It was a slow speed hit, but it was enough to dent and crack my frame along the chain stay.
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 6:41 PM
OUCH!
Jason w
February 4, 2013 at 7:57 PM
I choose 888
Scott D
February 4, 2013 at 8:42 PM
913…and would use it to protect against the bike rack at work (fatbikes are not really designed for bike racks)
sarahsdoodles
February 4, 2013 at 9:31 PM
I’m sit this one out and let some other lucky bum win this time. =] Still loving my water bottle!
All Seasons Cyclist
February 5, 2013 at 6:44 PM
I don’t have any restrictions on prior winners — lightning CAN strike the same place twice (but I’d move if that happened).
Irish Katie
February 6, 2013 at 12:30 AM
Yes…I say enter again Sarah!
kristoffrides
February 5, 2013 at 3:59 AM
Shame I’m not in the US to enter. Looks like a great product! Might see if its available in the Uk
All Seasons Cyclist
February 5, 2013 at 6:45 PM
Too bad! I know there are a lot of products sold here in the US that are not available in the UK — I always wonder about the products sold in the UK that we don’t have here!
Ezra
February 5, 2013 at 8:11 AM
As they say, it’s always good to defend your frame! 763!
Irish Katie
February 6, 2013 at 12:31 AM
I will let this one pass… I like to ride…and will start in earnest again soon. But I know I am not the type of rider that would make use of this….I never knew such things existed.
All Seasons Cyclist
February 6, 2013 at 9:59 AM
This product is definitely not for everyone — but the folks who enjoy jumping over boulders and tree stumps ought to love it!
mynkist
February 6, 2013 at 8:41 AM
951
Simon
February 6, 2013 at 11:42 AM
980
All Seasons Cyclist
February 9, 2013 at 1:03 AM
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNING NUMBER WAS 844.