Paint wearing off already!

[zexel]

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.

This is one of my rants too!

Orbea are the only company I know that put the cable guides on the head tube, such a simple concept, one wonders why all of them don't do it.

 

[Phixion]

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.

True, but again - If you've just had a new bike you aren't going to fiddle much at all in the beginning. You just ride it til you figure out whats wrong.

You can always remove the protective stickers they put on... better to be protected than not I say.

 

[2Loose]

Having checked my Defy, the gear cable guides are on the headtube, but the rear brake guide is several inches back along the top tube.

Does not compute!

 

[Blue Hills]

On my old Ridgeback the rubbing has not only taken the frame paintwork doen to the metal but has taken one gear cable outer down to the metal! - time to fit a new cable AND some frame protectors I think.

Frame is cro-mo - I'm assuming that there's little chance of the exposed frame rusting? - any views on this?

Should I just leave the thing on the basis that continued rubbing of the cable will rub off any rust that might try to form?

 

[mark1974]

i would take it back
have a read in the instruction booklet and if no mention of paint wearing get onto halfords head office and complain they will exchange it
new bike every 6 weeks what you got to loose !!!

 

[DougieAB]

Thanks for the tip. Had noticed that the front brake cables of my new Revolution CX were rubbing the paintwork. Will get some helicopter tape off e-bay. Cheers!

 

[edindave]

I got helicopter tape from this place on ebay. Delivered quickly too.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIKE-PROT...ikeparts_SR&hash=item2567c29da8#ht_1796wt_790

 

[Davidc]

It's part of the s*** 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.

+1

Despite what DZ says my Ridgeback (MX4 new in 2008) has been very bad on this.

The Dawes Horizon (2008 model, bought S/H hardly used) is better, with cable routes etc. better thought out, but still far from perfect.

 

[smokeysmoo]

FWIW you can also get matt helicopter tape as well these days. I got some when I got my CAAD as the frame has a matt finish and I didn't want shiny patches all over it.

So consider your frame finish before deciding which tape to buy.

THIS seller does it if anyone wants a link, (also has different size options too)

 

[ShredderX]

TBH I can't believe that anyone would put up with it! If I bought a bike and the paint started coming off within six weeks (apart from standard wear and tear, of which this is not, I hasten to add), I'd take the bike back and demand that it was put right. If it's not fit for purpose, then they are legally bound to rectify it. It has nothing to do with the manufacturer, the contract is with the retail outlet you bought it from.

 

[fossyant]

Coloured electrical tape too. FFS It's all part of life, just stick some tape on, no big deal.

 

[Blue Hills]

If you want to stop the cable being damaged by the rubbing (may protect the frame to a degree as well) Decathlon sell a pack of 4 rubber things for about £3.00. Now fitted on my Ridgeback to stop the metal to metal rubbing of yore
And under these I've put on the frame where it rubbed before I've put some silver duct tape - on a blue bike - ever so fetching.