Cuevas Bikes used the triple plated version on their bikes. It holds up very well.
My Keirin frame UNO is chrome. It was originally red "I think" . The Keirin racer took off all the paint and the chrome undeath the frame was there. We just had buffed the frame on it is outstanding. I will repaint the frame because it is not triple plated to take on the elements of the North East.
Will post pics soon.
S/F,
CEYA!
Originally Posted by polytoxic
There are two types of chrome used for this type of application. Both are true chrome but the process is differant. The most durable is triple plated chrome. The process (simplified of course) is: polish, bronze, nickel, then chomium. The other process only uses nickel then chromium, this not having such a "beefy" base tends to make it flake rather easily. Also there is of course the variant of prep work and how maleable the metal you are chroming is, if the prep is not done correctly it doesn't matter which chroming process was used. And depending on what type of tubing (how maleable or elestic it is and its heat expanstion and contraction properties during the process) used on the frame will also contribute to chrome flaking and irregularities.
The pista looks like cheap chrome mostly because the chrome is clear coated over to protect the decals.