Still Pedaling

I have noticed a lot of bikes today, folding ones included, using black seat and handle bar posts. I have to say that they look smart, but what about the vulnerability to scratches? That would certainly take away from the appearance of the bike. Has anyone had issues with this? Would I be correct in saying that on more expensive bikes this perhaps doesn't apply?

Cheers

fietsbob

there are other surface treatments than Paint. , like making it out of Carbon Fiber .. Carbon Is Black.

aluminum anodizing can be finished in Black and other colors , neither are 'Paint'.


take pictures and post them so folks can comment on what You are seeing..

brakemeister

most anodized black stuff keeps holding up surprisingly well

zebede

I think it was a Sheldon article where he discussed the growth in black components. As I recall the opinion was that the "new style" saved the manufactures on hand polishing of aluminium parts, that generally indicated quality level. NOW you have some really nice black stems and black seatposts from the likes of Thomson and others.

https://bikethomson.com/

fietsbob

These folks seem to make specialty black parts for Brompton's bikes https://www.milianparts.com/en/
[doubt you see them all over AZ]

Clear Anodizing resists corrosion .polished aluminum needs re polishing to stay that way .

Color is added to clear anodizing .. it still needs polishing first..

OTOH Painting does not.

KlibanQat

Of all the places I have managed to scratch up my bike, the seat and handlebars have not been much affected, if at all. Maybe that's due to nearly 100% of the scratches coming from those stumpy useless bike racks where both those components are too tall to be in the danger zone.

redbuda

Flat black murdered out is cool!

jerrysimon

A supplier of bespoke black Brompton parts.

https://www.tillercycles.co.uk/page5....loychainguards

Jerry

fietsbob

Hmmm .. Prototype folding Spud pedal Mod.

https://www.tillercycles.co.uk/_wp_ge...cdf63c4_0f.jpg

Still Pedaling

Because of limited funds, my wife and I purchased a cheaper folding bike. We had the opportunity to buy the newer model that has the black posts, but opted out for fear of them getting scratched up. Obviously then, the more expensive models like those from Brompton, as an example, don't fall under that category, but I'm sure the cheaper model that I passed on by would have been a nightmare due to scratched up parts. This is nice to know for future purchases as I do like the looks of the black seat and handle bar posts.

bhkyte

Hi. I would not asume brompton stuff, other quality manufactores, will not get scrathed or lose its finish quality. Bought a brand new chrome brompton seatpost less than 6 months old and I am frequenty polishing off rust on a barley used bike. My mezzo is anodised but it still wears other time with frequent folding.
Look for anondised where possible.

One frequent mistake is wiggling the post side to side as you pull it out, which scrathers in a telltale manner. Instead open the seatpost clamp area on the frame fully by pushing the seat forwards and backwards firmly a couple of times. Then in most cases the seat will now slide striaght out.

landhere

When I was researching folding bikes, I saw many complaints came from seat posts being black and inevitably getting scratched while adjusting and where the fastener clamped down.

fietsbob

That Milian Parts reference, the post is black chrome treated plated steel,
in Brompton's case the Bushing in the frame is plastic.

though like brake pads , the grit, dirt you let be into the bushing will make scratches.

but thats not the part's fault. ..