These days Chrome plating is a thing of the past.

The negative environmental impact of the process has caused it to be virtually outlawed.

Gone are the days of lavish chrome on 2 ton plus land yachts with gas guzzling engines and pollution spewing led laden exhausts.

Cycling’s future is looking drab as well, with bicycles wearing mat black paint and everything metal replaced by carbon fiber.

If you are a bit nostalgic for the good old days though, I have a treat for you


Inspired by Tom Wolfe’s 1965 book “The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine–Flake Streamline Baby” I have put together an homage to those days gone by with this all chrome Diamond Back Ascent

Found at the Bike Exchange in somewhat dilapidated condition, with mismatched wheels, a trashed saddle, and a low end drive train, it was a sad sight.

A thorough cleaning and polishing of the frame and all the bright work did wonders. A new matching wheel set, cables, stem and bars and it kept getting better and better.

A foray into the storage closet uncovered red and tan tires buried under a pile and amazingly, a pair of matching grips were located.


Although it would have been possible to upgrade to v brakes and index shifting it was decided to keep it close to the stock configuration, relying on the original Diacomp calipers fitted with Kool Stop pads, smooth shifting Sun Race friction thumbies, and an 8 speed Shimano hyper glide free hub.










As with all my restorations this beauty will be sold by Bikex.org to raise money for our non profit.