Bike Forums - To Polish or Not To Polish?

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Have you sent an email to Peter White? He deals with a lot of tandem wheels and might have something polished with 40h.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aixaix (Post 14963976)

Even so, they will dull down over time unless they are clear coated or waxed. Ask me how I know...

That's true, but how is this different from the majority of vintage rims many of us are still riding?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhm (Post 14963898)

The Norman is a special case. It is in better condition, and looks cleaner, than bikes I've bought new and commuted on for only a couple years. The chrome is spotless, and the aluminum looks clean. The frame and fenders have a faint patina, in that the color varies a little depending on exposure to the sun etc, but other than that it's in almost showroom condition. And it hasn't been restored. That you would want to keep it in that condition, as much as possible, seems a no-brainer to me.

With a restored bike (especially a repaint) the decision is trickier. If the frame is repainted, and all the components are like new, then you've re-created a showroom like condition, then I would probably would want to keep that. But if the frame is repainted, and the components all have a weathered and worn look, then I'm not at all sure I'd want to try to make everything clean and polish anything. It would just exaggerate the disparity in condition.

You get the point and understand the dilemma probably better than anyone else here. Polishing is not my cup of tea, but for the Norman in particular, I think polished rims are almost a necessity.

What about the polished CR-18's for the norman if you're building a set of riding wheels, they'd look a bit more the part and save the work of polishing. Or are the synergy rims for the norman?

Quote:

but how is this different from the majority of vintage rims many of us are still riding?

Not at all different. The issue is whether or not to remove anodizing. Just wanted to point out that anodizing is a more stable finish than polish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by puchfinnland (Post 14963938)

It all depends,

I got some bikes that everything is a nice even patina, I took one old faithful and and repacked the BB and replaced the chain, same time I cleaned and polished the one piece crankset and chainwheel- wow it looks good clean, but not the not so perfect pedals show,
even if i service,and polish every part the paint is just shot.

my juniors- I am even considering stripping down the wheelset to polish the hubs and rims-the spokes are galv, and I can replace them the same time with stainless double butted.

what it really sounds like is you are bored and need a new project-
I would not touch the Norman- it looks just perfect just the way it is-I am looking forward to see it
polishing it would take something away, its like bronze bits on a nice old boat, it takes years to get that fine dark brown patina,

Quote:

Originally Posted by puchfinnland (Post 14963984)

(I just noticed the string between the pedals of the tandem...)

Bored? :eek: I'm not bored, but I am concerned with damaging one of the irreplaceable rims on the current wheelset. I've ridden more than 750 miles on this bike alone so far this year on less than perfect roads where the wheels have managed to take some pretty hard hits where, thankfully, the rims have managed to remain intact. I do, however, have a major concern that I'm going to hit a pothole that's going to do in the rim or rims and that would be a real shame because finding a period correct 27" rim with Presta valve drillings will be even more difficult than trying to locate an EA1 rim from the same era. Don't worry with seeing the bike when you come stateside - it's a treat that I'd not want you to miss out on. :)

About the string on the pedals: Since we're using toe-clips and there are times when I need to take the bike for test rides, it is easier to just run shock-cord between the pedals to keep them properly oriented. It also allows me to get my foot into the clip more readily when we launch the bike after I have put my feet on the ground. I got the idea from some pictures I saw of either a Rene Herse or Alex Singer tandem a while back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd (Post 14964309)

Have you sent an email to Peter White? He deals with a lot of tandem wheels and might have something polished with 40h.

I did not contact Peter White, as I was trying to buy the parts from the LBS that is only 1/4 mile from my house and that opened just a few months ago. I desperately want for this shop to survive, for purely selfish reasons. He's been able to get in spitting distance of internet prices on a lot of stuff for me, so he's getting a bit of business from me because of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 14964438)

About the string on the pedals: Since we're using toe-clips and there are times when I need to take the bike for test rides, it is easier to just run shock-cord between the pedals to keep them properly oriented. It also allows me to get my foot into the clip more readily when we launch the bike after I have put my feet on the ground. I got the idea from some pictures I saw of either a Rene Herse or Alex Singer tandem a while back.

Highly endorsed, keeps wife happy too. much easier for her to engage the pedals. If it was not for that trick she would be going plain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clasher (Post 14964425)

What about the polished CR-18's for the norman if you're building a set of riding wheels, they'd look a bit more the part and save the work of polishing. Or are the synergy rims for the norman?

The CR-18 is actually my "go-to" rim when I'm doing a vintage build, but since they don't have a 40h drilling in either a 700c or a 27" size, it wasn't an option. You are correct that the Synergy rims are for the Norman. Profile-wise, they were the most traditional new rim I could find in 40h drillings. :)

I'll throw my vote in for not polishing riders. But that's because I'm lazy.

I know I mentioned this on another thread, but if you need to refurbish an anodized part, want to polish it or whatever, ther is nothing stopping you from sending the part out and having it anodized again. Find a shop and take a look at the options. There are different levels that can be achieved. Dull, bright, colors, etc.
you do not have to permanently remove the protection of anodizing !

Cheers,
Joe