Muc-Off Bike Protection Series – Review

Muc-Off new Bike Protection Series is designed to protect critical areas of the frame, including rear stays, cranks, and forks, with kits available in combined and individual sets, in mountain and e-mountain bike size options. The kits offer a combination of strength and durability to protect frames from potential scratches, scuffs, and stone chips, and thanks to their modular design, they’re easy to apply and remove. They fit even the most obscure bike geometries.

It comes in two variants; a graphical design that features their Cube-Tec material (tested) and TPU-based film technology.

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Each kit format is offered in six different designs, including ‘Bolt,’ ‘Camo,’ ‘Day of the Shred,’ and ‘Punk,’ which matches offers from Muc-Off’s Technical apparel and Ride Guard ranges, as well as Clear Gloss and Clear Matt options.

Muc-Off has elected to produce complete kits that include up to forty-five pieces to provide more excellent bike coverage and flexibility for the wide variety of frame geometries. If riders choose to swap out their kits for a fresh look, the stickers can be removed easily without leaving residue on the frame.

All the graphical Frame Protection Kits feature their Cube-Tec material, comprising multiple tessellating 45-degree-angled cubes. Due to their shape and pattern, they provide more strength and flexibility than the standard flat layered materials currently available. The Cube-Tec material sits on top of the graphical and 3M adhesive weatherproof layers below, making their kits both easy to install and strong enough to shield the frame from impact.

The Clear Gloss and Clear Matt variants use TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) film technology, allowing a smooth and stealthy finish while being equally as strong and durable as the graphical counterparts. These variants are the same thing that many protection tape companies offer.

 

Impressions

I installed the ‘Day of the Shred’ complete frame protection kit on an Ibis Ripmo. It was a very straightforward installation, though I did use my usual protection tape technique of spraying soapy water on the bike frame to aid in getting the pieces in their proper location. Just do a quick spritz of the water/soap mixture on the frame, stick the tape pieces onto their location, move them around as needed, and then squeeze the excess water out from under the tape.

The toptube was simple, and it fits perfectly in place by the stem. The cranks, setstays, and chainstays went on without any problems.

The fork took a bit more effort since I had to snake the portions around the circumference of the legs and make them fit the section by the thru-axle. I had to pull off one side during the installation and redo part since it didn’t go on as nicely as I wanted. The Cube-Tec material has a somewhat stiff feel to it than standard TPU tape, but once in place, it adhered without any issues. The Cube-Tec material has a rougher surface due to the cube’s texture, but it did help keep crud from sticking, and it was easy to wipe off anything that did stick.

So far, the Cube-Tec material has been highly durable and weatherproof. It has dealt with heavy rainstorms and snowstorms and has been dusted with snow, dirt, sand, and gravel, and it is not worse for the wear. The downtube, forks, and chainstays have been hit by rocks and bashed into boulders and tree stumps without any damage. And the 3M adhesives have kept the tape firmly in place, whatever the conditions.

The full Bike Protection Series is available in six finishes for both MTB and EMTB size options and is broken down as follows:

• Frame Protection Kits: (45-piece) / Covering frame, top tube, downtube, chainstays, and cable rub areas / Priced: £64.99 / €79.99 / $99.99
• Chain Stay Protection Kits: (20-piece) / Covering chainstays and rear stays / Priced: £29.99 / €36.99 / $39.99
• Fork Protection Kits: (8-piece) / Covering forks / Priced: £29.99 / €36.99 / $39.99
• Crank Protection Kits: (2-piece) / Covering crank / Priced: £14.99 / €18.99 / $19.99

Designs/Finishes: ‘Day of the Shred,’ ‘Bolt,’ ‘Camo,’ ‘Punk,’ ‘Clear Gloss,’ and ‘Clear Matt.’

Bottom Line

The Muc-Off Bike Protection Series graphical Cube-Tec material kit that we tested has been highly durable and weatherproof and has dealt with snow, rain, dirt, sand, and rock impacts without apparent damage. Compared to standard TPU protection tape, Cube-Tec is stiffer and has a textured surface, and the cubes give it a unique look. The tape has done a phenomenal job of protecting the exposed frame sections, especially the downtube, forks, and chainstays, and the 3M adhesives have kept the tape firmly in place, whatever the conditions.

In addition, the graphics are a nice touch to make your bike truly unique, whether your tastes go for ‘Day of the Shred,’ ‘Bolt,’ ‘Camo,’ or ‘Punk.’

FYI – Perfect holiday gift!