Badges of honor.

 

On an aluminum bike, scratces are battle scars. Chicks dig scars, right?

On a steel frame, paint damage increases the chances for rust, so I'd keep an eye on them.

 

That's why I buy used. I bought one new bike and couldn't handle scratching it. I just bought a lightly used Scott Spark that has some chips and scratches but looks perfect. Several day later on the bike rack with a friends bike and somehow his bungy tied pedal worked its way onto the top of the frame and gouged it down to the metal.

 

I love watching the transformation of my bike from pristine show horse to rugged war horse. It's how you know you're doing it right.

 

That is a good to look at it, the bike is made to be used and enjoyed. I was thinking I was being too anal!

 

I ride in the desert, where there are a lot of loose good-sized rocks (up to fist-sized) sitting on top of the dirt top layer. Nearly every ride, my front tire will catch one of those big rocks and throw it up. Sometimes the rock will hit my feet, sometimes it won't hit anything (by some miracle), and sometimes it'll go "THWACK" as it hits the bottom of the downtube. Similar things happen with smaller pebbles while I'm on the road bike. There are some small dents on my frames, but mostly just scratches. Those scratches only get there if you actually ride.

 

ive been using rustolem paint on my steel frame where the paint chips off to protect from rust.

 

I have an aluminum frane so there is nothing to worry about except for the aesthetics.
I never thought of steel frame bike and the paint chip would be a considerable concern since you never want to ignor or give rust a chance to spread.

Post & learn!

 

On the second ride with my new SB66, I came charging around a blind turn and hit a patch of mud and went flying into a rock garden. After I pulled myself up and got my bike, I had a nice dent and some gouges on my frame. I was beyond infuriated, but they become stories and badges for your bike. I love when I clean my bike and its so shiny, but its made to be scratched, muddy, bloody, and where it all with dignity.

 

The first scratch can be important: it is best if YOU cause it yourself, and DURING A RIDE.

... your best friend doing it in your garage would feel all wrong.

 

Scratches and dents just up your trail cred.

But be aware of your frame material and it's limitations.

 

I never see them under all the dirt on my bike. Maybe that's a way to deal with the problem -- stop washing it so much and ride more!

 

I knew I was doing something wrong!

 

On a steel framed bike the rust from scratches would take many decades to eat all the way through the tubing. It's not really a concern at all. People get so paranoid about it. I don't. Mine is scratched up and covered in mud and I like it that way. Clean, non-scratched bikes look nice but that means they aren't being ridden and that is what bikes are for.

 

Scratches I leave alone... If it's deep or more of a gouge where further chipping may happen I use the wife's closest nail polish color to touch it up. I also keep my bike clean because it stays in the house in a room with light colored carpet and a clean drive train lasts longer and rides better. Not into the whole "I'm a badass, taking care of expensive toys is for sissys" mentality.

 

Funny, I used to obsess over scratches and chips. Now I leave it all. I pretty much know where each chip or scratch came from.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Cosmetic damage is no reason for concern, I'm at the point where I'm considering removing all the paint its so scratched/chipped up. I've already removed the paint on my chainstay. Raw aluminum is sweet....

 

That is something to look forward to, enough chips and scrathes to justify a new paint job. It will involve some time and money but you will be able to get the exact color and finish you desire.

Many of the bikes come in a matte finish which is very cool looking. I only owned one bike where I loved the color of the bike. It is always the components and price that determines what bike I would purchase and the paint is what it is.

Not sure of the cost to have a bike painted but it must be nice to get exactly what you want!