IcySmooth52

Raven (my Fuji Altamira) got her first scratch a few days ago while I was trying to remove a stripped bolt on the stem. Unfortunately, a drill bit I was using broke off and ricochet off the top tube! After living with it for a day and taking her on a joy-ride, I think the event is for the better. Now I won't feel bad about the next ding, and it's inevitable that there will be another. Every bike gets one no matter how much you protect it, as long as you use it.

Any thoughts or memories on some of your ride's firsts?

fishymamba

My bike's first "scratch" was when my sister accidentally ran it over with her car. Bent the handle bar and scratched both shifters. I was crying the whole day...

alexfboyle

If it's a carbon frame, take it to some one who can make sure it's ok to ride. You really don't want the frame to fail when you're riding.

vermilionx

yeah, my first scratch was when i fell with the clipless pedals. then a few more after that.

then, the hit by car.

then, the downhill lowside.

all interesting memories.

my fuji sl1 is still going strong though. this carbon bike is durable enough.

i stopped caring about minor cosmetic damages.

IcySmooth52

I know it's fine. No crack, just the clear coat chipped. I work at a dealer, and do these checks for customers. Seriously, so many people are paranoid about carbon fiber. It's fine unless cracked, not chipped. Carbon will always develop "cracks" when broken, never just "dent" or "bend". If either of these two definitions happen, there must be a crack as well. Think of it as fiberglass in a way. Below is a fine example of a done frame.

Nachoman

I agree with that analysis and I was happy when I got my first ding.

alexfboyle

Listen to this guy, to me it looked like it was a puncture, which seemed like a logical thing to suspect from a drill bit attack. Upon closer inspection, it seems I was just being paranoid for you. Continue to enjoy your ride.

IcySmooth52

It's definatley not a puncture. Here's two alternative angles on the nick to prove it.

alexfboyle

For sure not a puncture. I feel kinda dumb. Good thing I don't have a carbon frame, or I would have flipped out and had it checked like 8 times.

JustinHorne

Someone oughta find those pics of he-who's no-longer-here's bike. That thing is beat to all hell. Shifter paddle rubber banded to the brake lever, etc. And yet he's by far one of the most committed and fastest people on this forum. Don't get me wrong, I'd cry if my bike looked like his, but there comes a point at which it's just a tool.

Carbon Unit

This why I buy bikes that aren't painted. My carbon bike is unpainted and so far no scratches.

fishymamba

Unfortunately he crashed out a while back and had some pretty severe damage to his back. He is recovering right now.

But it shows you how you do not need the best gear to go fast!

IcySmooth52

You think my bike is like his? Maybe a ding on carbon is unsafe

Rodimus_Prime

its less annoying when you get the second scratch..

jon c. 

I scratched my wife's brand new bike taking it back to the shop for the 'first 200 mile check up.' So virtually brand new. A couple of large scratches on the downtube. LBS guys could only say 'good thing we didn't do it.'

We're still married and she's been as forgivingly philosophical as possible :-)

It is going to happen, so best to just get it out of the way.

fishymamba

If I was her, I would have ripped your head off....

Banzai

I don't understand naming bikes and other inanimate objects.

I mean, I'm rather fond of my bikes, but they don't have names.

IcySmooth52

I mean, I'm never going to just pay for my ride and consider what I'm riding an inanimate object! Yes, every ride requires pay, but not every ride is just for the ride. It's a life experience and a relationship! Would you spend so much time on top of someone you didn't have a name for? *Sarcasm**Sarcasm*

But you can't expect your ride to be perfect, no matter how much $ you spend on her/him. It's a good thing to have a scratch to remind you that it's not about the bling, but the performance. And performance is more about you, the rider.

svtmike

How did a stem bolt get stripped to the point of pulling out a drill on an unscratched bike?

speedemon

Owning a couple titaniums that's one thing less to worry about. Had the Litespeed since 2004 got a Seven in 2011 and the Litespeed still looks brand new like the Seven.

IcySmooth52

Manufacturer defect (took less than the recommended torque to strip the bolt). It was one of the new little 3mm stem bolts and Ritchey is covering it by warranty.

MarkThailand

To complete this thread, assuming the scratches are superficial, any recommendations on self-repairing with touch-up paint?

For Shimano shifters, there are replacement shift lever covers, shift levers, and shifter hoods. What about repairing the raw carbon shifter levers, super fine sand paper?

For Sram shifters, I think there are shift hoods - are there replacement parts for the shift levers? What about repairing the clear-coated or black-shiny coated carbon shifter levers, super fine sand paper, a rub down with nail polish remover (acetone) and then a black nail polish touch up?

For the Shimano and Sram derailleurs, steel wool or steel sand paper then clear nail polish?

For aluminium frame scratches, super fine sand paper and then a rub down with nail polish remover (acetone) and then a corresponding nail polish touch up? I believe that Bianchi sells their Celeste green touch paint.

For painted carbon fiber frame scratches, super fine sand paper and then a rub down with nail polish remover (acetone) and then a corresponding nail polish touch up?

For raw or matte carbon fiber frame scratches, super fine sand paper only and then a rub down with nail polish remover (acetone)?

For my titanium bright brushed finish, scotch brite.... or fine steel wool...

What have other done for can suggest?

I think the most common scratches will be the shifters and am curious what other have done.

Or, just wear the scratces proudly as battle scars?

Mark

Drag

Ditto. Right in front of a group of other BF riders.

alexaschwanden

Don't worry about the scratches they are not that bad.

Beachgrad05

Here is my first "scratch"...I don't feel any cracks or see any....Stopped by my LBS to have them check components and such. Will have it checked more thoroughly when one of the guys I know there are there....I didn't know the guy who looked at the wheels and transmission.