rs_woods

Is anyone in the business of making bikes ugly (but still top-performance) for commuters? I'm looking for a rust-colored chain for my fixie, as well as mangled-looking, rusty brake levers (maybe someone here has these?), and a crank that is deformed in such a way that no pawn shop would dare buy it, no thief would think it's worth robbing, yet can still stand up to my accelerating and stopping.

newbojeff

Am I reading your profile right? You are having trouble finding these things?

bmclaughlin807

Heh! I know, right? You'd think there'd be TONS of rusty, nasty looking bike lyin' around! Guess he's looking in the wrong part of town!

BikeManDan

How about just using proper locks?
Seems the more sane approach

zeytoun

I think it's kind of a cool idea for a new product line. Simulated rust finish on nice new parts. Sell it to all the bad-azz'es on fixies.

jbrians

Kona has a bike (can't remember the name) that is painted in olive green flat paint.
I built up a bike for a nephew going to University and used the same idea when I painted it. Flat dark green and brown on most of the shiny bits. Looked nice up close but from more than a few meters away it looked like it was an old rust bucket. Lot's of bikes disappear on campus but his has been left alone for half a year now

LóFarkas

Don't use a bent or otherwise damaged crank. I thought that much was obvious. Otherwise, just remove the decals and don't clean your stuff too often.

tsl

Then folks like me can charge a premium for chains with a genuine, non-simulated rust finish. "Gently ridden in winter slush and road salt, producing a fine oxide patina on the side plates. Cleaned and lubed daily for a minimum of stretch, wear or rust on the pins and rollers." How much should I charge?

max-a-mill

this is as dumb as buying new pants with holes in them...

trade me your new bike for my old one. however, you'll note it has taken me years to get that "distressed" look so i'll have to charge you at least 200 extra.

cerewa

You're obviously after a market where people have extra money to spend. Charge $50 per chain- you spent a lot of time rusting that chain and you should be paid well for the effort.

M_S

Mud. Apply with your hands in areas that are visible but not hampering (Dérailleurs are a no-no, as is chain, think top tube). As the mud dries, it will make your bike ugly enough that you'll be embarrassed to ride it. Which is, of course, what we're going for. In fact, it may look so unappealing that you'll just leave it at home and take the bus or a car to work. Problem solved: it's not likely to be stolen sitting in your garage.



I was actually kinda serious about the mud comment, but I kinda blew this post.. uh.. yeah.

jeff-o

Rust finish? I've got the real thing on my chain. Damned salted roads. The rollers are well lubricated, but the rest isn't...

kemmer

Pink and brown spray paint. The also sell paint that looks like rust at home despot.

zeytoun

Yeah, we'll use a method like that or something similarly cheap and expensive. Then we will jack the price way up when we resell it. Our marketing will convince the people with tons of spending money that it is just too much work to do it yourself when you can pay us $50 for a chain that looks rusty, but isn't really.

And our overpriced faux-rust parts will all come with the warning: Remember, bicycling is an inherently dangerous and often deadly activity. If you disregard these warnings and ride, remeber to always wear a helmet.

rs_woods

you guys are great: i'll look up some of that rust colored paint (will use it as touch-up paint -- genius!), rob a rusty three-wheeler brake lever from the trash at work, etc. but i'm still looking for a rusty-looking chain, and im not willing to sacrifice performance with authentic rust.

clancy98

you could just smear **** all over your bike. Noone would steal a poo-covered ride.

max-a-mill

my rusty chain works just as well as my non rusty one...

if a chain is used the moving parts wont ever rust only the outer plates. that will not decrease performance.

keep your chain clean and buy a good lock!

bryanp

This is true but your chain can rust through and fail. I've done it on bmx. My current chain on my fixie kind of scares me with its rust.

wb 86

KMC makes a chain in an ugly brownish color: Part # KMC Z51
It doesn't look rusty, just unattractive. I picked one up new for $7. 1/2 x 3/32 for SS and multi gear applications.

Craig