Hi guys,
My new Specialized Chisel Comp just arrived. After mounting the front wheel and handlebar, I noticed this scratch/chip on the head tube area.
I know it’s an MTB and it will get scratched eventually, so I’m not treating it like the end of the world. But since the bike is brand new and unused, I’m wondering what would be reasonable here.
Would you contact the bike shop (online order) and ask for some kind of solution: touch-up paint, voucher, small discount, etc. or would you just accept it as cosmetic and move on?
It looks like it went through the green paint and possibly down to the primer/metal, but I don’t see any dent or crack.
Thanks!
by hachiman0911
13 Comments
Ride it. Stop worrying about the small things
It’s a mountain bike – you’re going to ride it down mountains. You’ll have worse scratches after your first ride.
I’d call the shop and see what they say. I’ve ordered bikes from DTC brands and one came with a couple of more tolerable and superficial scratches. A bottle of matched touch up was included so I just addressed it myself.
However, one of the supposed advantages of buying from an established brand with brick and mortar presence is they are supposed to remedy hiccups like this. If I paid for a new, unused bike, I’d want to know what options they would give me.
I had this (worse) and mentioned it to the shop, they gave me a free service. I guess to them it’s just an hour or two perhaps of their time vs £100 for me.
For such a little scratch like this I’d mention it but expect nothing. Just get out and ride it, it’s annoying but after a ride or two you’ll stop counting the scratches and stone chips.
It’s not a car. Go ride it!
I wouldn’t stress but also, you bought something brand new and it came damaged.
I would email them.
Get some mud on it, no one will notice.
Kind of up to you! If you want to go through the trouble of exchanging it I’m sure they’d honor it but I’d say being a mountain bike you are going to get some scratches pretty quickly.
What did you use to remove the packaging from the head tube? It looks like it could’ve been scratched while unpacking. If it really bothers you, get some polish and rub it out.
Eventually? It’ll get chips on your first descent, just by the little rocks that’ll jump up as you go down. A bike is a tool, it’ll get dirty and scratched, and it’ll look even better once it’s a bit used.
Feel free to complain, but honestly it’s such a tiny mark that if the rest of the bike is in good condition, I wouldn’t bother.
Once you put the anti scratch tape over it, which you should in that spot anyway, you won’t see it. Cables are going to rub there
Put the rockshox sticker On & you are ok,😀🤷♂️
I’m going to be honest. A little scratch wouldn’t bother me at all. It’s going to have a lot more “character” soon.
I totally understand if it bothers you though. It’s a brand new bike and absolutely should not have scratches on it yet.