FW: [CR]American Framebuilders' Antipathy to Chrome

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 19:29:16 -0700
From: "Jim Merz" <jimmerz@qwest.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: FW: [CR]American Framebuilders' Antipathy to Chrome


I have 2 objections to chrome plating of steel frames on technical points. First is that the plating solution for the copper gets inside and can cause bad corrosion problems. This can be dealt with by careful flushing inside the tubes. The 2nd is that any plating can cause hydrogen embrittlerment. This can be corrected with baking, but if not dealt with can cause the frame to break.

A third problem is that someone has to polish the frame. Very seldom will this polish job live up to the workmanship that I did on the frame. So, as Bryan Baylis does, one is forced to do this very tedious job oneself. I never felt it was worth the trouble.

Jim Merz Bainbridge Is. WA

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Kurt Sperry Sent: Monday, August 19, 2002 11:11 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]American Framebuilders' Antipathy to Chrome

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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