RideWrap Wheel Protection: Is It Worth the Investment?
As an avid cyclist, I've always been intrigued by the idea of keeping my bike in pristine condition. While some may argue that scratches and dings are part of the cycling experience, I've found myself drawn to products that promise to protect my bike's components. So, when I came across RideWrap's Wheel Protection Kit, I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype.
The Science Behind RideWrap
RideWrap's Lotus 10 Film is a self-healing, hydro- and dirt-phobic film, made from 77% recycled materials. It's designed to protect against slower-moving high-mass objects, like rocks dislodged by a wheel in front of you, rather than fast-moving lightweight objects like gravel. The film consists of three layers: an acrylic adhesive, a TPU layer that dissipates energy from impacts, and a self-healing, ceramic-embedded, hydro- and dirt-phobic exterior.
Measuring for the Perfect Fit
Unlike frames and cranks, where RideWrap has a huge database of products to cut kits from, wheel protection requires a bit of pre-order measuring. You need to work out the distance from the outer edge of the spoke nipple to the bead where the rim begins to curve. It's important to measure in more than one spot and on both sides of the rim, as spoke holes can be staggered. RideWrap's cutting software accounts for some breathing room on both sides, so it's crucial to measure the actual rim size, not the level of coverage you're after.
Installation: A Bit of a Challenge
I found the installation process to be a bit more difficult than I expected. While the pieces are uniform in shape, they are quite long and a little tricky to wrangle. I needed to mix the install solution a bit stronger than RideWrap recommends to get the right balance of skate and stick. The final piece is also a bit long, so you have to snip it to line up properly. It's crucial to get this right, as you only get one shot at it.
The Benefits of RideWrap
Despite the challenges, I was impressed with the hydro- and dirt-phobic qualities of the film. Mud and gunk run off more easily while you're still riding, and it requires less elbow grease when it's time for a scrub. I haven't had a proper mudder yet, but the wheels seem to fling grime off and come up cleaner than the rest of my non-wrapped gravel bike.
Is It Worth the Investment?
RideWrap is an investment in both installation time and cost. The kit for these RX880 gravel wheels required 35mm of material on both sides of each wheel and costs $234.40 AUD. While wheels can be really expensive, and they are often among the first non-wear parts to sustain damage, the Lotus 10 Film won't prevent a rock from cracking your rim at the bead. However, it will stave off glancing blows from errant debris that can leave gouges and scratches on your wheel.
Conclusion: A Worthwhile Investment?
In my opinion, RideWrap's Wheel Protection Kit is a worthwhile investment for those who want to keep their wheels looking fresh and new as long as possible. While it may not prevent all damage, it can help stave off glancing blows from errant debris, keeping your wheels looking pristine for longer. Personally, I think the hydro- and dirt-phobic qualities of the film are a game-changer, making it a must-have for any serious cyclist.
