Scratch Free Bikes After 1 Year Plus
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#102
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
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Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
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My gravel bike has some scratches and nicks, but it's a gravel bike and I beat it like it owes me money. But I still keep it clean and the metallic orange paint still looks great overall. My road bikes have been pretty much scratch free, just got a new one and intend to keep it the same way (barring a catastrophic incident of course).
Also, first thing I did when I got the new road bike home, was go over it with rubbing compound and polish, even factory paint can always use a lil improvement.
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#104
Senior Member
In S E Asia they stick plastic sheeting over the paint on motor bikes. Sometimes clear, sometimes coloured or with a pattern. It protects the paint from being scratched.
I have had them stick this over the bar on the bikes I have had in S E Asia. The bar can get scratched from knocking it when you step over it.
If someone wanted to remove cables and accessories, you could have it over most of the frame. But it is normally not worth the effort.
I have had them stick this over the bar on the bikes I have had in S E Asia. The bar can get scratched from knocking it when you step over it.
If someone wanted to remove cables and accessories, you could have it over most of the frame. But it is normally not worth the effort.
#105
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Yup, I freely admit it.
Makes me cringe when I see people with expensive bikes caked in dirt and crud, and not from that ride, you can clearly see that the bike is not cleaned/maintained regularly, and the noises they make are usually pretty horrible too. Bikes are a tool, a piece of gear, but there's no reason to not take care of it, especially when you've put a lot of money into it.
Makes me cringe when I see people with expensive bikes caked in dirt and crud, and not from that ride, you can clearly see that the bike is not cleaned/maintained regularly, and the noises they make are usually pretty horrible too. Bikes are a tool, a piece of gear, but there's no reason to not take care of it, especially when you've put a lot of money into it.
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#106
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
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As is the pride of having a beat up bike.
Not me. It's not my bike or money, so I'm fine with other folks having trashed up bikes. Meanwhile, mine all look great and command top $$$ when I sell them. If someone wants to call that OCD it's fine with me. I just do what makes me happy.
Yup, I freely admit it.
Makes me cringe when I see people with expensive bikes caked in dirt and crud, and not from that ride, you can clearly see that the bike is not cleaned/maintained regularly, and the noises they make are usually pretty horrible too. Bikes are a tool, a piece of gear, but there's no reason to not take care of it, especially when you've put a lot of money into it.
Makes me cringe when I see people with expensive bikes caked in dirt and crud, and not from that ride, you can clearly see that the bike is not cleaned/maintained regularly, and the noises they make are usually pretty horrible too. Bikes are a tool, a piece of gear, but there's no reason to not take care of it, especially when you've put a lot of money into it.
#107
Senior Member
Yup, I freely admit it.
Makes me cringe when I see people with expensive bikes caked in dirt and crud, and not from that ride, you can clearly see that the bike is not cleaned/maintained regularly, and the noises they make are usually pretty horrible too. Bikes are a tool, a piece of gear, but there's no reason to not take care of it, especially when you've put a lot of money into it.
Makes me cringe when I see people with expensive bikes caked in dirt and crud, and not from that ride, you can clearly see that the bike is not cleaned/maintained regularly, and the noises they make are usually pretty horrible too. Bikes are a tool, a piece of gear, but there's no reason to not take care of it, especially when you've put a lot of money into it.
Bikes are like cars...they get dinged up, scratched, dirty etc. They are never going to stay new looking unless they sit in the garage doing nothing.
Some of you....
#109
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Location: VA
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My three year old truck still looks brand new too, it's not that hard to take care of things and keep them looking good.
#110
Senior Member
I tend to get a lot of dust on my bikes... The MUPs with their crushed limestone screenings tend to do that (one path I ride is VERY dusty) but unless I crash or drag against some tree branches, I'm not even sure how I'd get a scratch on my bike.
#113
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Bikes: 1st Track bike: 1978 Speedwell titanium 1st Road bike: 2001 Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel
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Fascinating thread - different opinions/values regarding cosmetics and care. I believe in taking really good care of my bikes.
I try to get high quality stuff that will last - if you maintain it. I've been using the same Crown Royal commercial vac for years.
But bikes are special. I think of all the work a frame builder has to do - brazing and filing lugs - the least I can do is keep my bikes clean & pristine.
I don't worry about the inevitable chip or wear from riding cuz I gotta ride 'em. I just do my best to maintain my fleet & keep my drivetrains clean.
I try to get high quality stuff that will last - if you maintain it. I've been using the same Crown Royal commercial vac for years.
But bikes are special. I think of all the work a frame builder has to do - brazing and filing lugs - the least I can do is keep my bikes clean & pristine.
I don't worry about the inevitable chip or wear from riding cuz I gotta ride 'em. I just do my best to maintain my fleet & keep my drivetrains clean.
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#114
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1. Titanium or stainless steel with no paint and a brushed finish
2. Aluminum with silver anodizing
3. Carbon fiber with a clear coat
The metals look the same after being scratched. A Scotch Brite pad can even remove them from brushed titanium.
Missing carbon fiber clear coat is less shiny and scrapes are gray.
My titanium frame looks better after 23 years than my last steel frame did just 7.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 08-01-20 at 07:35 AM.
#115
bocobiking
Took delivery on my Gunnar a little over a year ago, in June. Have ridden it a shade over 4000 miles since then. No scratches.
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#116
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
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Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
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I used to religiously touch up any nick or scratch using Pactra model paints that I custom mixed to match the paints. Then I found the Sharpie worked far better. Now I just apply a dab of primer if a deep scratch is down to the metal, and then a dab of a black Sharpie. The Sharpie color is much thinner and if you are real picky, a quick pat of the newly applied Sharpie ink will even give a semi-gloss finish a match.
Good thing my favorite bike frame color is black.
Yeh, I am also the guy who when we auctioned my parents estate got big bucks for my old Tonka trucks and other kids toys that were in very good condition and some had boxes like Erector sets, and Skyline building sets.. My parents always said if you break it, you will not get a new one, so take care of your stuff.
Good thing my favorite bike frame color is black.
Yeh, I am also the guy who when we auctioned my parents estate got big bucks for my old Tonka trucks and other kids toys that were in very good condition and some had boxes like Erector sets, and Skyline building sets.. My parents always said if you break it, you will not get a new one, so take care of your stuff.
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#117
Full Member
My Wilier road bike is scratch-free apart from one end of a Speedplay pedal, that you can't really see easily, bought in July 2019 it has done 7605 km (4726 mi) - a lot in pelotons and fast group rides. It is also unpainted as part of the weight reduction aspect of it and so more resilient to marks and small stones just bounce off leaving no scratch. The pedal scratch was from a low speed roundabout crash where sand was on the road: skewers, handlebar tape and pedal took all the impact. I replaced the handlebar tape and skewers.
My 29er MTB bought in June 2019 is very much scratched - all over! That's done 5251 km (3263 mi) of off-roading, mostly on harsh, rocky terrain including racing and a few crashes.
I've done 2112 km (1312 mi) on my new 2020 Trek Madone over the last 2 months, zero scratches, harder to avoid being painted red of course and I clean it - as the other bikes - after every ride and hope to not see scratches albeit inevitable eventually.
My 29er MTB bought in June 2019 is very much scratched - all over! That's done 5251 km (3263 mi) of off-roading, mostly on harsh, rocky terrain including racing and a few crashes.
I've done 2112 km (1312 mi) on my new 2020 Trek Madone over the last 2 months, zero scratches, harder to avoid being painted red of course and I clean it - as the other bikes - after every ride and hope to not see scratches albeit inevitable eventually.
#118
Interesting thread. I haven’t had think about this for a long time. The last time I bought a new bike was about 1975 so I can’t really recall but I rode it a lot so I imagine it got scratched up.
These days I’m riding steel frame bikes from the ‘80s and more concerned about slowing the rate of rust.
I’m definitely open to the idea of having a frame made of titanium or aluminum that would not have rust as a concern. My rides always include dirt and trails and are either dusty or splashy.
Otto
These days I’m riding steel frame bikes from the ‘80s and more concerned about slowing the rate of rust.
I’m definitely open to the idea of having a frame made of titanium or aluminum that would not have rust as a concern. My rides always include dirt and trails and are either dusty or splashy.
Otto
#119
The improbable can happen. On my second ride on my gravel bike that I built frame up, two deer came out of the roadside brush/woods and literally ran into my buddy and I as we rode up a dirt road. All four of us fell to the ground, the deer got up and continued on their way, my buddy and I dusted off and continued our ride, the guy behind us on the road grader told us he'd never seen anything crazier, and my brand new bike got some nice scratches down the right side of the fork. I've since covered them with a Ski the East sticker.
#121
Senior Member
Many people not only enjoy riding their bikes, but also feel that the way the bike looks and operates is important TO THEM. I am one of those people. Yup. I do Try to keep my wheelers and related items in number “2” condition or better, and know that scratches happen, But I still want to avoid getting And having them. Many of us will scrape their bike’s paint with various surfaces throughout the years, but I care about the mechanicals, the paint jobs, And Me: All Of It. And, Keeping the paint finish shiny and as damage free is a priority for Me; probably in my DNA or at least on a cellular level.
Ha !!
it may go back to when I received my First New bike; I was 7 years old and the bike was a bright blue; shiny and bright as a new dime ! It was THE most Awesome gift that I ever got. Our family was poor, by the the standards of the day, and so Any gift was a Big Deal for me. And now My OWN New Bike !!
So keeping my current bikes looking as when they were new, for as long as is reasonable, has become a priority and one which I enjoy very much. And if someone else doesn’t care, that I like it that way, then that is fine with me. To each their own.
My Davinchi Hatchet Carbon (bought new Jan 2020) has a beautiful, rich, two-tone red paint finish. Almost all of the bike’s painted surface is now “wrapped” in clear film; Lamin-x. Does that wrapping guarantee that the paint won’t get damaged ? No.
But it should help keep the bike looking fine And protect the paint from fade, scratches, rubs and ease cleaning. Similar to putting a tablecloth on your dining room table. I don’t plan on eating off the painted areas, but I must note that I name the bike’s primary color: Candy-Apple Red.
Also use a “Click-Stand” folding kickstand.
My efforts should Keep me Happy And help protect the paint for as long as I own it. At least that is the plan.
Ha !!
it may go back to when I received my First New bike; I was 7 years old and the bike was a bright blue; shiny and bright as a new dime ! It was THE most Awesome gift that I ever got. Our family was poor, by the the standards of the day, and so Any gift was a Big Deal for me. And now My OWN New Bike !!
So keeping my current bikes looking as when they were new, for as long as is reasonable, has become a priority and one which I enjoy very much. And if someone else doesn’t care, that I like it that way, then that is fine with me. To each their own.
My Davinchi Hatchet Carbon (bought new Jan 2020) has a beautiful, rich, two-tone red paint finish. Almost all of the bike’s painted surface is now “wrapped” in clear film; Lamin-x. Does that wrapping guarantee that the paint won’t get damaged ? No.
But it should help keep the bike looking fine And protect the paint from fade, scratches, rubs and ease cleaning. Similar to putting a tablecloth on your dining room table. I don’t plan on eating off the painted areas, but I must note that I name the bike’s primary color: Candy-Apple Red.
Also use a “Click-Stand” folding kickstand.
My efforts should Keep me Happy And help protect the paint for as long as I own it. At least that is the plan.
Last edited by WheelsDoHeal; 12-28-20 at 08:23 PM. Reason: Spelling
#124
Senior Member
My new bike is also in the living room. It probably won't make it back outside until Springtime! My old bike can take up the slack and get some duty time for those random days between now and then when the roads are dry.