Mountain Biking - Is this right?

Hey, I just wanted to know. I bought a GT Avalanche 3.0, and at he front, just above the GT logo, it has 2 little brown circles (look like they were scratached into the frame). Are these 2 brown circles meant to be there (dosent look like they are) and if not, wat can I use to cover them up?

Thanx

P.S. Can anyone give me some tips to keep my bike looking like new? Thanx

You're most probably going to have to post a pic regarding your little brown circles. In terms of keeping your bike looking new, here is what I do to my mountain bike.

WHEN THE BIKE IS NEW

-Use a synthetic auto polish followed by a sealant on the paint. I know this sounds like overkill, but this will keep your paint looking good, and the synthetic stuff will last much longer than wax.

-Use a rubber/vinyl/leather cleaner/conditioner on the soft stuff.

Do this @ the beginning of every year, as well as @ least once during the riding season.


DURING THE SEASON

-Clean with soap/water after every ride. Do not use dishwashing liquid, as it will strip away the synthetic protection. Use a quality auto shampoo.

-Use a variety of soft brushes to get into the small areas

-Clean chain with a chain cleaning tool

-Clean cassette with a vinyl brush

-Use a detailing spray on the paint

This process has kept the paint on my '98 Klein Attitute looking good for years. However, all the dings and scratches from use and abuse do take their toll eventually. Good luck with the new scoot!!!

If they are scratches, throw some clear fingernail polish over them to seal them over. Other than that, look at the Lizard Skins line to keep the bike "looking like new" cosmetically. I use the headset seal and the chainstay protector. Also, make sure the bike stays clean after each ride and isn't thrown back into the garage soaking wet or covered in mud without a cleaning and re-lubing at least once in a while.

-Moab

Edit: I was typing this while bac posted. Follow his ideas and you're set regarding the finish.

I'll add these few tips:

Get a SRAM power link for your chain. It's easier to clean your chain OFF your bike. I drop it in a 2-litre bottle with some solvent/degreaser, put the cap back on and shake like crazy! I fish the chain out with an old spoke, let it hang to dry (or spray dry using my compressor) and reinstall and relube!

Also, put some type of protection on your frame where the cables rub the frame. I've seen cables cut right through paint and aluminum on some bikes. I've found a cool new product that is great for this or as others have suggested here:
Frame Protection (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18985&highlight=Jagwire)

L8R

Originally posted by moabrider47
Other than that, look at the Lizard Skins line to keep the bike "looking like new" cosmetically. I use the headset seal and the chainstay protector.


With these Lizard Skin Headset Seals, can you put them on the top and bottom (above and below the logo) or only below?

Thanx

You put them on the lower part of the headtube, where the fork appears to enter the headtube (below the logo). I'm not really sure how effective they are - I would think that they are probably most worth it if you ride in a lot of wet or muddy conditions. I picked one up in my LBS because it was only $3.00, and figured that it wouldn't hurt to have it anyway.

-Moab

Originally posted by moabrider47
You put them on the lower part of the headtube, where the fork appears to enter the headtube (below the logo).

But, is it possible to put the headset stay above the logo?

Diamondback03,

I suppose that it would be possible to put a headset seal above the logo at the top of the headtube, though they are meant to be attached around the bottom of the headtube. Their function is to prevent mud/water/etc. from entering and contaminating the headset when it is flung up from the front tire or splashed up from riding through something. The lower part of the headtube is the area that is most succeptible to this, so you really wouldn't be benfiting from putting one on top.

-Moab

Below is a pic. of what one looks like on a bike, where it is designed to be effective.

I'm not really putting the headset seal there to protect it. IM really putting it there to cover up the 2 brown circle incident, as said in my first post. The protection would be a plus.

Oh, and one more thing, could someone put a pic on what it would look like if I did put the headset seal above the logo, or give me an idea on what it would look like. And, would I need to remove something from the headset seal for it to fit?

Thanx