Frame material

[Trek420]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...138951766&rd=1

have no clue how to do e-bay but this looks cool and it's my size. Don't tell my bike I was looking at another bike, she'll throw me off or sumthin.

[pedalfaster]

Wax?

I've never heard of waxing a steel bike before. What kind of wax would you use? Something like what you'd use on a car? How should it be applied? How many coats?

Mel

Many shops use Pledge (shhhhhh, it's a trade secret).

Car waxes (e.g. Turtle Wax) are more work, but do the trick too.

AND...did you know you can use nail polish to cover knicks in your paint? It's important to cover those nicks on steel frames. You can also then paint your nails to match you frame...swell, huh?

[annie]

I have used Pledge on my bikes for almost 20 years. My brother (who in his younger days was a sponsored bike racer) used Pledge so I always figured if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me. He treasured his bikes!
I use car wax once a year on each bike frame. Early in the season, I take the time to do a thorough wax job (think bike wax here - forget that bikini wax thread....) on each bike. I think it starts out the season with a good, protective coating on the bikes. I use Turtle wax, but I don't think the brand name makes any diff. I have a carbon frame, an aluminum frame and a combo carbon/al. The wax and Pledge seem to work on all them.

I love the nail polish trick. Used it many times. My good road bike is yellow. I found nail polish to match. I've touched up the frame with it, and, yes, painted my nails to match. All in good fun.

Back to frame material - I've ridden steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and a combo aluminum/carbon. Each has some advantage. My mountain bike is aluminum; very cost-efficient and I don't ride off-road enough to justify spending a large sum on a mtb. My road bikes are aluminum/carbon and totally carbon. I love the carbon fiber. It is responsive and it is comfortable! Not quite as responsive as steel, but for me, the trade-off in comfort is absolutely worth it. I know, you can't fix it if it cracks, but the likelihood of that happening is so slim, that it is not a factor.
Never have ridden a titanium bike so can't have an opinion on that.

It all boils down to personal preference! Just ride and enjoy!

annie

[sarahfixit]

I have used car wax religiously from the beginning and love it. I know several people who use pledge. It works, but I like the results with a hardshell carwax more. The effort invested is worth it. I can wax a mtb frame completely in less than 20 mins if I set to it. During the race season I do it every other race (3 wks or so) since it repels mud and junk while looking good. Plus when it is done effectively it seals scratches and dings as effectively as nail polish.

[CorsairMac]

have no clue how to do e-bay but this looks cool and it's my size. Don't tell my bike I was looking at another bike, she'll throw me off or sumthin.

Oh thank you very much Trek - I seem to be e-bay challenged too and thought it was just me. I end up giving up coz I get so frustrated trying to figure out how to move around in e-bay. (ps, I see you changed your signature line, just wanted you to know I Loved the avatar-free one!!)

[Melody]

Many shops use Pledge (shhhhhh, it's a trade secret).

Car waxes (e.g. Turtle Wax) are more work, but do the trick too.

Oooh. Didn't know that.

AND...did you know you can use nail polish to cover knicks in your paint? It's important to cover those nicks on steel frames. You can also then paint your nails to match you frame...swell, huh?

heh. Now that is cool.

So, does anyone think I can go to a carwash place and go "Yeah, can you wash and wax the bike? k-thanks."

Mel

[CorsairMac]

sure Mel - but only if you're willing to ride it through the wash..........keeping it on that track thing by itself could be tough ya know!

[Melody]

sure Mel - but only if you're willing to ride it through the wash..........keeping it on that track thing by itself could be tough ya know!

heh. Guess I'll have to invest in some goggles, as I come out of the machine and need wipers for my glasses.

Mel