Chrome forks
#1
biologist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa, CAN
Posts: 95
Bikes: 2009 Devinci Imola SL1 TT, 1982(?) Raleigh Royale road, 1985 Peugeot PXR80 touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chrome forks
I tried searching old posts and the internets, but without much luck...
I was wondering how chrome forks compare with other materials commonly used in the 80's (501, 531, gas-pipe). Are they considered light/heavy? Soft/Stiff? Durable/prone to failure? Any good at absorbing road vibration?
Can anyone answer these questions or direct me to somewhere (or someone) who can? The touring bike I recently picked up has chrome forks, and I'd like to know a thing or two about them.
Thanks,
A
I was wondering how chrome forks compare with other materials commonly used in the 80's (501, 531, gas-pipe). Are they considered light/heavy? Soft/Stiff? Durable/prone to failure? Any good at absorbing road vibration?
Can anyone answer these questions or direct me to somewhere (or someone) who can? The touring bike I recently picked up has chrome forks, and I'd like to know a thing or two about them.
Thanks,
A
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 324
Bikes: 1983 Gureciotti/full SR 2002 Casati Record 10 speed 1995 Colnago C40 2007 Sram Rival 2006 Isaac Sram Force 2000 DEAN Ti DA 10 speed 1987 Schwinn Prologue Funny Bike 2001 Pinarello DA 9 speed 2008 Element6 Record 10speed Origin8 Lutegra10speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chromed forks where/are on a wide range of bikes. Some are quality made fork and others are cheap and have a cheap chrome job that may fool the untrained eye. If your fork is original on a quality bike then the fork may be a good quality fork. I would not worry too much about the fork as long as it performs its duty.
#3
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,835
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 802 Post(s)
Liked 703 Times
in
376 Posts
Chrome plating can be applied to any metal, so your question doesn't make sense. In general, replacement forks are chrome-plated, which avoids issues with matching paint color.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#4
biologist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa, CAN
Posts: 95
Bikes: 2009 Devinci Imola SL1 TT, 1982(?) Raleigh Royale road, 1985 Peugeot PXR80 touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So chrome forks are just plating over some type of steel? Was under the (not in any way informed) impression the whole fork was a homogeneous alloy, and not just plated.
Last edited by andrew.waye; 03-27-10 at 10:40 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 324
Bikes: 1983 Gureciotti/full SR 2002 Casati Record 10 speed 1995 Colnago C40 2007 Sram Rival 2006 Isaac Sram Force 2000 DEAN Ti DA 10 speed 1987 Schwinn Prologue Funny Bike 2001 Pinarello DA 9 speed 2008 Element6 Record 10speed Origin8 Lutegra10speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chrome can make a steel fork stronger and prettier (and heavier). Many old school builders would chrome plate the fork , chainstay (1 or both sides) and sometime the whole frame & fork. You really need to know who made the fork and the metal used under the chome to determine anything about the fork. I sell Torelli bikes and forks (handmade in Italy with Columbus tubing) and the fork and frame can be chromed or not. You can also buy a $40 chromed fork. As long as the fork is working the way it was intended to be -- there is nothing to worry about.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 744
Bikes: '82 Giante super challange, 70 Gitane Tour de France, GT Gutterball
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You may have been confused by the term cro-mo which is a steel tubing alloy which is chrome molybdenum which I have heard some people refer to incorrectly as just chrome
Last edited by cnnrmccloskey; 03-27-10 at 11:36 PM. Reason: Clarified
#7
biologist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa, CAN
Posts: 95
Bikes: 2009 Devinci Imola SL1 TT, 1982(?) Raleigh Royale road, 1985 Peugeot PXR80 touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
yeah, i'm familiar with chro-mo. the frame is 501 tubing, but the decal on the bike doesn't guarantee the fork and seat stays are 501 as well.
#8
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,835
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 802 Post(s)
Liked 703 Times
in
376 Posts
"Chrome-moly" is a steel alloy: steel with chromium and molybdenum added to it. It's generally stronger than cheaper 1020 carbon steel, but not as "elite" as brand-name Reynolds, Columbus, Ishiwata, etc. Here's some interesting reading:
https://spokesmanbicycles.com/article...real-pg329.htm
As long as the fork has not been damaged, ride it. If it's too stiff for you, try putting fatter tires on the bike.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#9
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,835
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 802 Post(s)
Liked 703 Times
in
376 Posts
https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/rey...-transfers.jpg
If it's Reynolds 501 main tubes, it's probably something reasonable for the stays and fork blades. Maybe not Reynolds tubing, but OK nevertheless. Stop worrying and ride the bike.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,257
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
4130 is what is commonly used for bicycles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/41xx_steel
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#11
biologist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa, CAN
Posts: 95
Bikes: 2009 Devinci Imola SL1 TT, 1982(?) Raleigh Royale road, 1985 Peugeot PXR80 touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ah, so... take a look at this:
https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/rey...-transfers.jpg
If it's Reynolds 501 main tubes, it's probably something reasonable for the stays and fork blades. Maybe not Reynolds tubing, but OK nevertheless. Stop worrying and ride the bike.
https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/rey...-transfers.jpg
If it's Reynolds 501 main tubes, it's probably something reasonable for the stays and fork blades. Maybe not Reynolds tubing, but OK nevertheless. Stop worrying and ride the bike.
BTW, the bike is an 86 Peugeot touring bike (PXR80).