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Is it abnormal to fret about a small scratch on a nice bike?

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Is it abnormal to fret about a small scratch on a nice bike?

Old 12-02-22, 09:14 AM
  #26  
RCMoeur 
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Not saying it was an extreme solution, but I had three of my longest-serving bikes (Raleigh Pro Mk IV, Rans Nimbus, and Schwinn cruiser) fully chromed back in the 1980s and early 1990s to avoid this unpleasantness. Since then, I've acquired several bikes with mere paint finishes (although the Bike Friday NWT is powder-coated) ad I've accepted the fact that chip happens. I've tried to be good to them all (although dragging the Ross behind the truck at 65 mph was unfortunate and unintended), but they all show their age in varying levels of grace. I gave up long ago on trying to match touch-up paint, even on the tandem. And as for the Ross? I just wrapped all the scarred tubes in 3M electrician's tape and put it back into service.
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Old 12-02-22, 09:47 AM
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A little scratch would not bother me. A filthy chain? Total nightmare city.
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Old 12-02-22, 11:21 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Reflector Guy
I bought my new bike (my Infinito) used, so it came with a small spot of touch-up paint on the chainstay. Totally wrong shade of green! I really should try to get the right color for it because it is pretty jarring. Fortunately it's vary small!
Here you go. Need to pick up one for my Infinito too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/26253651428...Bk9SR-iOzb2aYQ

Edit: Just ordered a bottle for Xmas (Won’t my wife be surprised! )
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Last edited by rsbob; 12-02-22 at 11:30 AM.
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Old 12-02-22, 02:33 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
I’d be more concerned about the dork disc, at least if you want to be considered a serious cyclist.
I purposedly install dork discs on all my bikes just to p!ss off all the "serious cyclists".
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Old 12-02-22, 02:39 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by AJW2W11E
I have a Specialized Diverge Comp, the best bike I may ever have. I took her for a ride in the snow and ice she was so stable.
The other day I came back from a ride and I saw this paint scratch, maybe from a tree branch?
I realize this is maybe childish, but does anyone know where I can find touch up paint in the red Specialized is using on its 2019 plus models? It's more of an orange red.
Thank you in Advance.
Just like with a new car or any new vehicle, the first scratch always hurts the most. The reaction can be anywhere from shrugging it off to intense psychotherapy and Prozac.

Why not just cover it with one of these neoprene chain guards? I have these on all my bikes:

https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Skins-...a-377914468468
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Old 12-02-22, 04:00 PM
  #31  
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Yes, it's normal--for a minute or two. Then let out a good, loud DAMN IT ! And go about finding touch up paint or fingernail polish for a close match.
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Old 12-02-22, 04:06 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
Here you go. Need to pick up one for my Infinito too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/26253651428...Bk9SR-iOzb2aYQ

Edit: Just ordered a bottle for Xmas (Won’t my wife be surprised! )
Awesome! I'll order one too, I am sure it's cheaper and faster than getting it right from Bianchi!
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Old 12-02-22, 07:05 PM
  #33  
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just ride (maybe worry about Dork Disk?)!

gm
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Old 12-02-22, 08:28 PM
  #34  
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Keep the DD and show the world you don’t care what others think. Besides, your rear mech will never be able to throw your chain into your spokes <- The things nightmares are made of.

But that paint chip - now that is heinous and must be addressed before the course of mankind is changed forever.
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Last edited by rsbob; 12-02-22 at 08:45 PM.
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Old 12-02-22, 08:30 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Lombard
I purposedly install dork discs on all my bikes just to p!ss off all the "serious cyclists".
We aren’t pissed off. We laugh at you behind your back.
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Old 12-02-22, 08:49 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
I’d be more concerned about the dork disc, at least if you want to be considered a serious cyclist.
The humorist cyclists just think the concern is laughable.
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Old 12-02-22, 09:31 PM
  #37  
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Old 12-02-22, 11:59 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by RH Clark
I would only obsess if it was on carbon. I would drive myself crazy wondering if there was more damage than I could see, which is why I don't own carbon bikes.
Your loss. Paint chips don't harm carbon fiber any more than othe rmaterials.
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Old 12-03-22, 12:37 AM
  #39  
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https://www.interlocracing.com/shop?&search=protector -- whole kit for chainstays, downtube and cable rub areas.

When I went to the 5 Boro Bike Tour in 2018, hit a bump, fell and scratched the seat tube of then newly built Double Cross I was extremely upset. Then I just applied clear nail polish. Now I laugh when I remember how I was riding the ferry back from the finish line and how I felt then. What Kubler-Ross stage of grief are you at?

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Old 12-03-22, 05:21 PM
  #40  
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I hate paint chips, scratches, blems etc. It drives me nuts. I discovered titanium frames a long time ago, and although I do ride painted steel frames, the unpainted titanium frame I have looks just like it did when it was new. Not a scratch or chip to be found. VERY PLEASED. I strongly suggest going with an unpainted ti frame if you are at all bothered by paint issues. It is carefree and wonderful!
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Old 12-03-22, 06:16 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
I hate paint chips, scratches, blems etc. It drives me nuts. I discovered titanium frames a long time ago, and although I do ride painted steel frames, the unpainted titanium frame I have looks just like it did when it was new. Not a scratch or chip to be found. VERY PLEASED. I strongly suggest going with an unpainted ti frame if you are at all bothered by paint issues. It is carefree and wonderful!
Or go with a ti frame with Cerakote.
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Old 12-03-22, 06:18 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
The humorist cyclists just think the concern is laughable.
That’s not funny.
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Old 12-03-22, 06:27 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
That’s not funny.
Sure it is!
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Old 12-03-22, 07:32 PM
  #44  
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This is why I'm glad I ride an old bike. The paint is in excellent condition, but if it gets a little blemish I'm not going to fret over it. I'd just consider it a battle scar.
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Old 12-06-22, 07:30 PM
  #45  
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$38 touch up kit

Rotaris charges $38 for a touch up kit so I went with the $5 option ( two small bottles of red and orange paint and I got pretty lucky) BTW I had to service the bearings and the bike was sitting around...


Last edited by AJW2W11E; 12-06-22 at 09:45 PM.
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Old 12-06-22, 08:08 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by AJW2W11E
Rotaris charges $38 for a touch up kit (including postage)
Rotaris - Bike paint repair made easy (rotaris-paint.com)
$ 38 dollars for a small batch of touch up paint for a bicycle ?
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Old 12-06-22, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
$ 38 dollars for a small batch of touch up paint for a bicycle ?
How gauche.
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Old 12-06-22, 09:17 PM
  #48  
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Conversely I worry more about old bikes than new. My new stuff is nicer but isn’t that unique. My old stuff is bespoke by people who have long since retired.

It shouldn’t matter matter since I’m not planning to replace any of them, but knowing that I could makes me a lot less worried about cosmetics than the old.
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Old 12-06-22, 10:08 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
$ 38 dollars for a small batch of touch up paint for a bicycle ?
Good thing it wasn’t for a high end foreign car or it would have been triple.
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Old 12-07-22, 12:50 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by rosefarts
Conversely I worry more about old bikes than new. My new stuff is nicer but isn’t that unique. My old stuff is bespoke by people who have long since retired.

It shouldn’t matter matter since I’m not planning to replace any of them, but knowing that I could makes me a lot less worried about cosmetics than the old.
I worry about my older bikes a bit more too. They're not bespoke but are harder and harder to replace with a new similar: nice carbon fiber frame with rim brakes. Yeah I have disc brake bike and it's great, but I'd not choose to buy one for my road bike when I next need one. But might not have the option for a higher-end CF frameset. It's a long way off, though, barring a damaging crash.
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