Road Cycling - Brand new bike, scratched it down to the metal on second ride

Title says it all. I'm a little miffed but I did buy the thing to ride, not to admire. Lost my hold when I was pumping up a tire and the corner of my brick wall gouged off a half square inch of clear coat and made a nice half inch log cut in the paint all the way down to the aluminum. Bought the bike 4 days ago. Was getting on for my first long ride.

Well, at least I know I probably won't do any worse in the foreseeable future so that is done.

David

That's what touch up paint is for. :D It'll fix, and you are right, it wont be the last scratch.

Aluminum does oxidize. It wouldn't hurt to contact the shop and ask for advice...you should probably apply some sort of protective coating over the gouged area.

Nature abores a vacuum. It also dispises bikes and cars with perfect paint. You're cool now... get some touch-up paint and enjoy your bike!

My chain jumped off the inside of the front rings on the first ride. I have a nice chain rub on the bottom of the bottom brace. At least I cant see it from the top. :( :D

I agree, if you want to have your bike in immaculate condition, then put it in a museum behind glass... scratches will happen... just try to limit them ...:)
Ryan

Alodine it.

Hmmmm... could be a signal telling you its time to start shopping for the NEXT bike! :) Seriously though, sorry to hear about that But once you get out on the road, it won't matter a bit. Enjoy your rides.

Sad to hear that, but be glad you didnt hurt it, or yourself mid ride.

One of my friends recently completed his bike liscence, and went out and bought a Kawasaki ER5 500cc, and within 2 hours he was in hospital,put him off bike for life, just shows the luck of some people. :( As long as its still rideable.

dont worry man, I crashed my bike only about a month after I bought it...now it at least looks like you ride it...

I didn't take any pics of the bike...but I took this one after I fell...

wow, my arms look really hairy in that pic...lol

Originally posted by djs_tx
Title says it all. I'm a little miffed but I did buy the thing to ride, not to admire. Lost my hold when I was pumping up a tire and the corner of my brick wall gouged off a half square inch of clear coat and made a nice half inch log cut in the paint all the way down to the aluminum.
David

That was exactly what happend to my new bike a week after i got it..

In addition to all of that, my CF fork got scratched to...

Touch up paint... Or more stickers!:D

That first scratch can be traumatic. I know every little scratch on my ride. It sucks. The touchup paint will never make it new again. Just enjoy the ride.

anyone who has a perfect frame doesn't ride enough to justify it.

it hurts just as much as when you notice it on your car or house.

Heck, I bought my road bike already scratched -- the guy at the LBS knocked off $20 for it. :D I figure it's good to get it out of the way early and not spend too much time obsessing over protecting it from the inevitable first scratch or ding.

The more scratches, the stronger the argument for a new bike. :)

Completely unacceptable!!!!!! That is absolutley hideous. I can only do for you what any respectable person would do. Sell it to me for $1.00 and buy yourself a new bike. It will make you feel better in the long run, I promise.;)

Seriously, just use touchup paint and keep riding. I feel as though scratches just add character.