Getting my new bike this week & just buying bit's & bobs for it. Does anyone know how I protect my frame from scratches? Did see something on wiggle -sports cover shield at £14. Is there any hints or tips i could use rather than spending more money. If it comes to it I will, but I'm rather tight that way.

Helicopter tape (from Just Riding Along)is the only other similar stuff. You can buy that in smaller size pieces that are cheaper than a whole pack of Sports Shield.

The Sports Shield (or similar)is worth the investment if you want to keep the bike scratch free.

On the other hand, accept the bike will get scratched and you probably won't even notice after the first few times you've been out. The first scratch you get on a new bike always seems awful, but you get used to it.

I've only used the £14 quid stuff,and so far only on the roadie, but its been on since january, and so far shows no signs of budging.

Evans also sell sheets of clear plastic stuff - bit expensive IIRC but you get loads.

I use matt black electricians tape to cover the frame of my road bike under bits such as where the cables rub the frame and it works really well because it can be stretched to fit around tubes without loosing stickyness, you can't even see it because it is the same colour as the frame. I looked at packs of clear stickers you could buy for the same job but this seems to work just as well.