OCD: scratches and muck/rust

[Holdsworth]

It pains me to see the paintwork on my bike scratched but that's how it is. Ever since I bought the bike new last May it has been steadily accumulating scratch after scratch, none really THAT bad aside from a chip behind the chainwheel. But now there is a massive scratch rat least 3 inches long on the top tube running horizontally from the seat tube. It must be where is has been leaning against something, I try not to rest the tubes against anything that will cause damage. Could a Sheffield stand have done this as it is right along where the bike would contact it? I will cover this up with a strip of helicopter tape like I have done with all the others but the bike is becoming like a patchwork of the stuff, it's everywhere.

And now all of the components seem to be corroding! I clean the chain and moving parts once a week with a good wipe with a rag and lube up with some plain-old bike oil from the LBS. The rear mech cage, on the wheel side, is covered in black spots that won't budge even with GT85 and a rag. Also the scratch where the mech scraped along when I had a fall during the brief period of snow we had one day in December has become rusted. The chain has become spotted over the past few months and in a week has turned a lovely brown colour and all of the cogs and chainwheels that it touches turn brown, plus there is much inside of each link that I don't know if it needs removing or how. In addition to this various nuts and bolts on all parts of the bike have got rust on them. And one last thing, there is a strange grey substance on the forks that I presumed was brake/tyre powder but it is not budging at all.

I know the above makes me sound pedantic but it truly annoys me all of these little things that have spoiled in a way the good looks of my once pristine bike.

Now that I have got that off of my chest, time to go back to cleaning the bike

 

[Red Light]

You missed a bit

 

[fossyant]

You need more often tlc in winter. Car polish should remove worse stains. Also try a car touch up brush on scratches. Blend it in.

Oil chain after wet rides, and wipe.

 

[potsy]

I need more than touch up paint to sort mine out
More like a gallon of gloss white

 

[YahudaMoon]

Ive found cheaper components rust / rot away just looking at them while the higher end components can be left un-cleaned for months and come up like a shiny new pin after a quick wash down. I thinks this is because the alloys are a lot better quality / finish and maybe use titanium bolts/parts ?

Ive found this out with frames also. My GT bike looks like it only has one very thin coat of paint on it and looks a mess being about 7 year old where as another bike being a lot more expensive is enamaled and has what looks like about 5 coats of paint and looks fantastic being 20 + years old. Also its steel and has no evidence of rust as its Columbus SLX NEW

 

[cyberknight]

Get a winter bike

 

[Holdsworth]

Get a winter bike

It was supposed to be my all-year-round bike, the one that I'd commute on and do all the odd bits. The road bike is the fair-er weather/leisure bike.

I thought that a what I was doing was enough but I am shocked at how quickly things corrode and rust. I may think about a derailleur upgrade on the rear when I have some money. I assume anything that is compatible with Shimano brifters, 8 speed chain and 32 rear sprocket is compatible. The chain has a bit of wear evident after 1200-1500 miles, it lifts off the chainwheel slightly, so I may consider replacing that along with the cassette in the coming months.

 

[HovR]

And one last thing, there is a strange grey substance on the forks that I presumed was brake/tyre powder but it is not budging at all.

I get this from the brake pads on wet rides - If allowed to dry it can really get stuck on there, although GT85 on a rag normally shifts it for me.

 

[summerdays]

The damage probably doesn't come from the Sheffield stand itself - but more likely the bike that is on the other side. I try to take care of the other bike on a stand but frequently come back to find that a different bike is there and instead of leaning against the stand it is balanced against my bike. That really irritates me.

I've had to accept that scratches are a way of life - and I'd rather see a bike with scratches as badges of honour than a pristine one that never left the garage / shed where it was just a trophy.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Also helps if you keep your bike next to your bed and not in the shed

 

[Fifelad]

I've got paranoia too with the scratches I got after a fall on the rear forks. have just touched up the paintwork and then added a layer of laquer to seal. I know it's there though and think it looks crap. But now it's christened I suppose......

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Dings, chips and scratches are all part of a bikes character, they are also a reminder of what you've done together, a pristine bike that looks like its never been ridden is a sad sight, ride it enjoy it and stop worrying about its appearance.