Any Love for Vintage Chrome Road Bikes?
#1
Any Love for Vintage Chrome Road Bikes?
After re-visiting the same CL ad for weeks, I felt compelled to take a look at an all-chrome bike. Pictures from owner weren't great, but thought the bike had potential. And, to be honest, I've always wanted to own a chrome road bike for no particular reason other than I think they look cool when polished up.
After taking a look at the bike, I couldn't resist buying it as the price was right. Condition of bike frame and components were better than expected (Shimano 105 1050 groupset throughout). Still trying to determine what type of bike it is as there are no decals or headbadge, other than the lugs are BCM/Bacoma. Headbadge has a sticker that says "Official Licensed Product CART" and has a graphic of an Indy Car and checkered racing flag. No information whatsoever on the web regarding what that sticker means or who made it.
BTW - frame is steel, chrome plated.
Anyways...back to the main my question...thoughts on chrome plated road bikes...any love for the older chrome bikes? I've done a bit of research but surprisingly have not found a lot of information. Seems like main topic related to chrome frames is the potential safety issues with the integrity of the frame once it is chromed (although there are plenty of "experts" that claim that this is just a myth).
After taking a look at the bike, I couldn't resist buying it as the price was right. Condition of bike frame and components were better than expected (Shimano 105 1050 groupset throughout). Still trying to determine what type of bike it is as there are no decals or headbadge, other than the lugs are BCM/Bacoma. Headbadge has a sticker that says "Official Licensed Product CART" and has a graphic of an Indy Car and checkered racing flag. No information whatsoever on the web regarding what that sticker means or who made it.
BTW - frame is steel, chrome plated.
Anyways...back to the main my question...thoughts on chrome plated road bikes...any love for the older chrome bikes? I've done a bit of research but surprisingly have not found a lot of information. Seems like main topic related to chrome frames is the potential safety issues with the integrity of the frame once it is chromed (although there are plenty of "experts" that claim that this is just a myth).
#2
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I think most of us love a nice chrome frame.
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Nice curve to the fork. Unusual brake lever mounting location.
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You must be joking, we love chrome bikes, they are the bomb.
Schwinn made plenty of chrome Paramounts, I have a frame, Cinelli sold chrome SC's back in the day.
Several BF member have stunning examples of Raleigh Pro's, Rene Herse's and there are many others.
The only real drawback is the weight it adds and many bikes were chromed then painted so they weigh even more.
Chrome is oldschool, that makes it Classic and Vintage all day long.
Schwinn made plenty of chrome Paramounts, I have a frame, Cinelli sold chrome SC's back in the day.
Several BF member have stunning examples of Raleigh Pro's, Rene Herse's and there are many others.
The only real drawback is the weight it adds and many bikes were chromed then painted so they weigh even more.
Chrome is oldschool, that makes it Classic and Vintage all day long.
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OK, let's roll out the bling!
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@gatein, That frame worries me. Why does the fork have a hole on the right blade next to the fork crown? Not a typical spot for a drainage hole. Also, it appears to have a crack at the rear dropout on the end of the drive-side chain stay. Hopefully my fears are unfounded but I would check over the frame.
Last edited by gaucho777; 04-04-20 at 10:42 AM.
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@gatein, That frame worries me. Why does the fork have a hole on the right blade next to the fork crown? Not a typical spot for a drainage hole. Also, it appears to have a crack at the rear dropout on the end of the drive-side chain stay. Hopefully my fears are unfounded but I would check over the frame.
The end of the CS looks like a poor crimp job and by extension a crappy weld intersection but again has been that way for a long time.
#11
Good catch on fork holes. Are you concerned with inner hole or outer hole, or both? I have no idea why the holes are there.
I think the potential crack in the chain stay was nothing more than a bad camera angle. Here’s another picture of same location.
I think the potential crack in the chain stay was nothing more than a bad camera angle. Here’s another picture of same location.
Last edited by gstein; 04-04-20 at 11:04 AM.
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Everybody needs a chrome bike.
Unfortunately they don't turn up very often in my area, so when one did, close to my size, I jumped at it. Other than the chrome it's a pretty average frame, so I decided to build it with stuff from the bottom of the parts bin. It became my ode-to-the-unloved-but actually-pretty-decent-parts bike. Shimano Altus and Tourney galore!
Unfortunately they don't turn up very often in my area, so when one did, close to my size, I jumped at it. Other than the chrome it's a pretty average frame, so I decided to build it with stuff from the bottom of the parts bin. It became my ode-to-the-unloved-but actually-pretty-decent-parts bike. Shimano Altus and Tourney galore!
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We need an expert opinion, paging Doug Fattic and JohnDThompson
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Is there another hole on the other fork blade? If so, they were probably for mounting a front rack.
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I kinda liked the all chrome ones that came my way, over the years...
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@gatein, That frame worries me. Why does the fork have a hole on the right blade next to the fork crown? Not a typical spot for a drainage hole. Also, it appears to have a crack at the rear dropout on the end of the drive-side chain stay. Hopefully my fears are unfounded but I would check over the frame.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#22
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I am in the school that says examine your old chrome frames carefully. I have seen a Cinelli, a Bottechia, and a Paramount, all chromed, rusting from the inside out. This was, however, in a coastal California community where there is a certain amount of moisture in the air for a good part of the year, so perhaps not such an issue in drier climes.
Nice looking bike. The cart sticker has to do with cart racing, not with bicycles.
Brent
Nice looking bike. The cart sticker has to do with cart racing, not with bicycles.
Brent
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#23
Good to know head badge sticker has nothing to do with the bike. Wanted to remove it but thought I better keep it there in case it was original and actually was a bike label.
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I am in the school that says examine your old chrome frames carefully. I have seen a Cinelli, a Bottechia, and a Paramount, all chromed, rusting from the inside out. This was, however, in a coastal California community where there is a certain amount of moisture in the air for a good part of the year, so perhaps not such an issue in drier climes.Brent
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2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#25
framebuilder
The outer hole is unusual, the inner is a pretty standard vent hole. The CS seems fine from your pic, I would proceed with caution.
We need an expert opinion, paging Doug Fattic and JohnDThompson
We need an expert opinion, paging Doug Fattic and JohnDThompson