Paint wearing off already!

[Chrismawa]

I've had my bike for only 6 weeks and the paint is wearing off already in 3 places from the cables rubbing. Its down to the bare metal

Is this something that usually happens?

I bought the bike from Halfords (yes I know!). Told them about it yesterday and all they can do is give me some pads to 'cover up' the areas. Not impressed by this response to be honest.

 

[Kestevan]

It's pretty common to be honest. The brake and gear cables rub on the headtube and wear away the paint very quickly.

The best thing is to repaint the scratch - I've found either humbrol model enamel or daft as it sounds nail-varnish to be the best/cheapest stuff to use.

The area where the cables run can then be covered either with a piece of electrical tape (cheap) or helicopter tape (longer lasting, better looking, more pricy) to prevent further wear.

 

[g00se]

Yes - very common. After touching it up with some paint, rather than the pre-cut pads, head over to ebay and google helicopter tape. You can buy it in appropriate widths and cut it to size.

 

[Chrismawa]

Cheers for the advice guys.

Surprised this is so common to be honest. Thought they would supply some kind of protector on the cables similar to those small donuts you can get.

 

[Globalti]

Protecting the paintwork with tape is one of those little jobs you do when you get a new bike, along with adjusting the angles of the brake levers and the saddle, tinkering with the gears and standing back and admiring it. You didn't just get on and ride it, surely?

 

[g00se]

Some companies do, some don't. I suppose it's down to who builds the bike as the frame builder can't assume where the cables are going to contact. Maybe it's more of a problem in the UK where the brake cables often get routed back onto the same sides as the levers - whereas most other countries cross over the head tube (UK: right lever - front brake; US: left lever - front brake).

Some frames have head-tube cable guides rather than on the down tube. At least from now on, it's a job you're going to do for every new bike (as I do after the same thing happened).

 

[Chrismawa]

Protecting the paintwork with tape is one of those little jobs you do when you get a new bike, along with adjusting the angles of the brake levers and the saddle, tinkering with the gears and standing back and admiring it. You didn't just get on and ride it, surely?

The bike was set up to my height in the shop. I'm no expert, and new-ish to regular cycling.

Now I know I will protect the paint in future.

 

[Smokin Joe]

It's part of the shoot way we are treated by manufacturers. No car or motorcycle buyer would put up with a vehicle where they had to stick gaffer tape on the paintwork to prevent it being damaged by normal use of the controls. And all for the want of a couple of cable guides costing a few pence, this has been one of my pet hates for years and if we didn't have an arse-licking cycling press they would have been screaming blue murder about shoddy unfinished products being foisted on us.

And while we are on the subject, would motorists put up with buying parts which have to have threads cleaned up and and surfaces faced with expensive tools before they will fit? Like hell they would.

OK, rant over, but think about it.

 

[dellzeqq]

It's part of the shoot way we are treated by manufacturers. No car or motorcycle buyer would put up with a vehicle where they had to stick gaffer tape on the paintwork to prevent it being damaged by normal use of the controls. And all for the want of a couple of cable guides costing a few pence, this has been one of my pet hates for years and if we didn't have an arse-licking cycling press they would have been screaming blue murder about shoddy unfinished products being foisted on us.

And while we are on the subject, would motorists put up with buying parts which have to have threads cleaned up and and surfaces faced with expensive tools before they will fit? Like hell they would.

OK, rant over, but think about it.

it's not a rant, it's completely reasonable. I cannot for the life of me work out how this has been neglected. There are transparent sticky patches that do the job just fine. A decent bike shop will stock them.

My bro doesn't let a bike out of the shop unless he's seen to it that the cables are not running, but, to be fair, Ridgeback are one of the better suppliers in this respect.

 

[2Loose]

Both of my last Giant bikes came with a sheet of various shape and size clear stickers with the manual for just this reason, so not all manufacturers are so thoughtless.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Both of my last Giant bikes came with a sheet of various shape and size clear stickers with the manual for just this reason, so not all manufacturers are so thoughtless.

Which would not be needed if Giant fitted guides on the headtube to prevent the cables rubbing on the frame. You wouldn't think it thoughtful of Ford if your new Focus game with a sheet of clear stickers to apply to the front wings to prevent the paint being rubbed off every time you opened a door.

After a little use these clear stickers look pants anyway with a line if dirt collecting under the edges.

 

[bauldbairn]

Now I know I will protect the paint in future.

My mates Tricross came with frame protection fitted from the shop - but my last three bikes have had none.

It's not really a massive problem - but I'd also check other areas at the rear of the bike that may have cable rub / chain slap(chainstays) too!!!


These are what I'd recommend - available from most good bike shops or online from Chain Reaction Cycles(Section; Frames and Forks / Frame Protection cost £5/£6) with free post.



The clear "Lizard Skinz" are what I normally buy.

 

[2Loose]

Which would not be needed if Giant fitted guides on the headtube to prevent the cables rubbing on the frame. You wouldn't think it thoughtful of Ford if your new Focus game with a sheet of clear stickers to apply to the front wings to prevent the paint being rubbed off every time you opened a door.

After a little use these clear stickers look pants anyway with a line if dirt collecting under the edges.

You raise a good point...but why are cable guides several inches further down on the downtube instead of the on the headtube itself?
I suspect it is because the cables would be bent to an impossibly sharp angle once the handlebars are turned to any great angle and no longer work, but never having seen such a thing I cannot be sure.

 

[Phixion]

When my bike was built it already came with clear sticky plastic under the cables. I'm suprised halfords don't put them on by default tbh.

 

[bauldbairn]

When my bike was built it already came with clear sticky plastic under the cables. I'm suprised halfords don't put them on by default tbh.

To be fair if the bars are going to be moved(up/down - back/forward) they don't know where the final resting place of the cable will be. But if a bikes already been fitted they should put them on - or include a pack for fitting at home.