Mountain Bike Wraps

Fitness is key to a healthy and happy life, which is why so many people are taking up outdoor activities. Mountain biking is one trendy way to increase your stamina and incorporate a fruitful hobby that is extremely beneficial for you, especially if you live near the required terrain.

Now if you are thinking of getting into this sport or already are participating in it, a useful yet nifty bike is necessary. If you already have one, the best way to revamp it is to invest in a vinyl wrap.

While wraps are mostly used for cars and other vehicles, they can also be utilized for mountain bikes. By integrating the different colors, textures, patterns and finishes available in the market, you can ride in style!

What To Know Before You Wrap Your Mountain Bike?

Before making any financial decision, you must weigh out the pros and cons. We have done the work for you to make your decision easier. Here is a list of factors that you must keep in mind before getting a wrap for your mountain bike.

1.Check The Warranty

If you have a new mountain bike and it is in warranty, check if you can make changes to its frame. Some companies consider the warranty null and void if the main frame of the bike is altered in any manner, covering it with vinyl included.

2. Cost

The expense of the whole procedure depends on a lot of factors. The first and the foremost being whether you will be hiring a professional or doing the job yourself. If the latter is your answer, you will only have to pay for the vinyl and tools so it should cost you around $100-$200 at the most.

We recommend going for the DIY option only if you are sure that you have the expertise to do so otherwise it is much better to hire a professional to wrap your mountain bike.

Professional wrapping and labor can cost you as much as $400-$500 but then the final product will turn out to be impeccable and awesome without any flaws.

Next factor to consider is the model of your bike. If it has a larger surface area it will cost more and if you go for a bespoke or customized wrap that will also weigh heavily on your pocket.

3. Style Options

Color and style are the most essential components of any vinyl wrap. There are countless colors you can choose from including candy paint, jewel tones, metallic and bright hues.

Moreover, there are also plenty of finishes like metallic, rainbow, chrome, matte, glossy and even satin. If you are feeling adventurous, you can go for a patterned wrap or even customize one of your own. For patterned wraps, geometric and abstract prints are all the rage. Pick whatever you feel personifies you!

4. Ensures Safety

Wrapping your mountain bike also ensures safety especially if you are riding it at night or in heavy traffic. For this, choose a reflective vinyl wrap such as neon green, vampire red or neon yellow in the glossy metallic series. These will make your bike highly visible and safe.

5. Partial Wrapping

When it comes to vinyl, you have three choices: a full wrap, a partial wrap and sticker or decals. A partial wrap means you do not have to wrap the entire exterior of the bike, but you can choose a particular part. This is more for giving your mountain bike an aesthetic edge as decals and stickers do.
You can also experiment and mix and match with the original paint of the mountain bike. These options are comparatively more budget friendly as well.

6. Benefits Of Wrapping Your Mountain Bike

Wraps are not just to adorn your mountain bike but are practically useful as well. While the aesthetic aspect of wraps cannot be denied, they also help a great deal in protecting your bike.
They provide a barrier against dirt, dust, scratches, and harmful UV rays which would otherwise damage the original paint. This way the main frame of the bike remains spotless, and wrapping will not hinder the resale value of your bike. If you ever get bored of your wrap, you can also easily replace it.
Mountain bike or dirt bike wraps not only provide protection to the main frame but the components as well for example, forks. Suspension forks can get damaged easily and are expensive to replace. You can protect them from scrapes by wrapping them with vinyl.

Wrapping Techniques

There are a few different techniques that you can use to wrap your mountain bike with vinyl. The first is the ‘spray-on’ method, where you spray the vinyl with water to make it sticky and then wrap it around the surface of your bike.

This method is often used for smaller designs and logos but can also be used on larger surfaces if you apply enough water. You can also apply vinyl to your mountain bike using the ‘heat-transfer’.

Heat is applied to the vinyl to adhere it to the frame of the bike without any bubbles or creases. You can also use a squeegee to smooth out your wrap and ensure that it sticks to the surface as best as possible.

Before applying the vinyl to your bike, make sure that it is clean and free from any dirt or debris that could hinder the adherence. You can clean the surface with a cloth or a paper towel, and then use rubbing alcohol to sanitize the surface and remove any remaining dirt.

Tools Needed To Wrap Your Mountain Bike

For any endeavor to be successful, it is imperative to have the right paraphernalia. Following are the tools needed to wrap the main frame of the mountain bike when using the heat transfer method:

• Premium quality vinyl. Select from a wide variety at Vinyl Frog to give your mountain bike a totally new and exquisite look.
• Squeegees.
• Cutting knife.
• Highly absorbent microfiber towels.
• Tape measure.
• Heat gun.

The Process Of Wrapping A Mountain Bike

Following are the steps to wrap your bike:

1. In order to make your work easier, disassemble the bike. Remove the wheels and any other attachments that may hinder the process.
2. As mentioned above, clean the main frame thoroughly. Make sure there is no dirt, grime and grease on the frame.
3. Using a measuring tape, write down the dimensions of the frame that you intend to wrap fully and then measure your vinyl accordingly before cutting. Take two inches of excess vinyl from all sides. For example, if the section you want to cover is 8 inches by 2 inches, your vinyl should be 10 inches by 5 inches. This will not only ensure complete coverage but will also give you room to press the vinyl perfectly. Label the pieces that you have cut so that you know the section it will be applied to without any confusion. Also, measure and cut one section at a time for a smooth application process.
4. Start wrapping the straight sections of the bike. Remove the backing from the vinyl and install the wrap on the different parts from end to end, pressing each piece firmly. Use a squeegee to ensure perfection. This will also remove air bubbles and creases.
5. Apply heat to the vinyl to further ensure that the vinyl has adhered strongly to the frame and there are no crinkles.
   

Caution: Do not overstretch the vinyl otherwise it will not set well.

Mountain Bike Wrapping Aftercare

Once you have installed the wrap of your choice, it is important to take care of it as a mountain bike faces harsher terrain and your wrap will be subject to more detrimental elements. Here’s what you can do:

• Take care of its cleanliness. Do not let mud or any other contaminant harden on it. Keep a mixture of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water to clean stains there and then. Do not scrub, clean gently.
• If a piece of the vinyl gets damaged, remove it and paste a new piece.
• Make sure your vinyl has properly adhered to all parts. If there will be any gaps, dirt and water will accumulate damaging the vinyl and you will eventually have to remove it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long does it take to wrap a mountain bike?
Any worthwhile effort takes time and considerable patience. That is the case with wraps as well. The more time you spend on it, the better they look! However, a full mountain bike wrap will need around a few hours or in rare cases a full day.

Q. What precautions should I take to make sure my wrap does not fade?
Your wrap will remain looking brand new if you care for it properly. Firstly, you need to make sure it is regularly cleaned. Avoid harsh cleaners and tools though. The best thing to do is to use mild soap with water. Clean it using a microfiber towel.
Next, keep your bike away from the sun when not in use as UV rays can cause the wrap to fade. You can keep the bike covered or in a garage when you are done using it. This will also protect it from uncertain weather. You can also seal the vinyl wrap but that is an extra measure. Simply follow these steps and your wrap can easily last you a few years.

Q. Is it worth wrapping a mountain bike?
Yes, it is definitely worth it. It not only makes your bike aesthetically appealing but also protects it from the harsh weather elements and rough terrain. Plus, it does not burn a hole in your pocket.

Q. Is it hard to vinyl wrap a mountain bike?
Vinyl wrapping a bike is certainly not as easy as it looks, especially if you are doing it yourself. You need a lot of time, patience, expertise and proper tools.

The Final Word

A vinyl wrap is a terrific way to customize your mountain bike and have a brand new experience with it. The versatility and durability that these wraps provide are truly unmatched .Plus they come at a great bargain too! You can choose from a plethora of options and get the ones that feel like the perfect match. For more information you can check our website .Once wrapped, you will cruise along on your newly upgraded bike and catch everyone’s eye. This deal is a total steal, and one which you should get your hands on as soon as possible. Do not hold your horses, get the equipment today and get wrapping!