Re: [CR]American Framebuilders' Antipathy to Chrome

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 12:07:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tom Dalton" <tom_s_dalton@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]American Framebuilders' Antipathy to Chrome
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <7F085F95.5D93FA5B.0FD8938F@netscape.net>


Chrome on dropouts does keep frames looking nice in the sense that it avoids big chunks of paint missing from the dropout faces. On the other hand, an intact painted surface is far less prone to rust than a chromed surface. For example, the chromed fork on my Masi is the rustiest part of the bike. I guess what I'm saying is that chrome is good at precluding the immediate cosmetic effects of chipped paint (the chips themselves) but is very ill suited to preventing the real problem with chipped paint, the rust that soon follows. Chrome rusts whether it is chipped or not, especially in areas that see a lot of sweat. Kurt Sperry wrote:I have always wondered about American custom framebuilders apparent antipathy to chroming. I can't say how many times I've seen beautifully built and painted custom frames with really ugly DOs, the paint scarred by the simple removal and replacement of the wheels. I admit like a crow I am a sucker for shiny objects and both my Cinelli and my Bartali sport chrome lugs etc, but surely it is just common sense to chrome plate at least the DO flats if not the forks and stays so one's beautifully finished and expensive custom frame isn't turned tatty-looking by the first inevitable wheel removal and replacement. Or perhaps I'm missing something?

Kurt Sperry Bellingham WA

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