Triple chrome refers to copper, nickel, chrome. That is the og way of plating. That is what I did in the early 90s. It is a nasty process with many acid baths, rinses etc. I believe newer process eliminates the acid copper process.. the copper is used to fill imperfections and can be polished smooth and then go to nickel plate and finally the chrome plate. Chrome plate is actually a murky brown in liquid form. Back in 93 it was about 3g a barrel to dispose of and we would send a truckload out every couple months, maybe more. We plated for Harley Davidson and it was a big facility. We once got a call that a load of our barrels of waste was in a warehouse, along with thousands of other waste barrels from other companies in other states. The company took all the money and left everyone's barrels in the warehouse and split. We were held responsible and the president of the company had to personally go states away to retrieve them and pay again to have them disposed of. Chrome parts are heavier, and weaker because of polishing, acid baths and the plating itself. Polishing for Chrome is more involved as the plating will show imperfections that just polishing wont. I replated several parts for a Hutch Pro Racer and every part folded and cracked. Bars, sprocket and seat post, all junk. Consider that if replating parts you want to use. All that said, I'm buying every chrome part I can, S&Ms plating is ultra nice, and I'm old, as they say... if it don't go, Chrome it. Highly polished parts cam be accomplished at home with some effort and practice, you can achieve a pro finish.

Nothing more classic than a nice chrome bike thats well sorted. It can be from any era, “20 inch bmx looks great with chrome.

Phu is always taking care of us. Love the inside shop videos teaching everything about BMX.

Back in the 90’s chrome rims were your best bet to have good brakes. I’m sure this was mostly due to to brake pad material at that time. Now we have clear pads that lock up on just about anything so it doesn’t matter as much.

Brother, your sense of humour brings tears of laughter to my round, round eyes 😅 Cheers from the home of helltrack, NW Calgary Alberta 🤙🏻

I always enjoy your breakdown .

It is surprising how interesting these shop vids are. Liked!

On the money my man. Certain parts are better polished for the chrome look rather than actually being chromed because of that potential to crack. I've always ran a chrome rear rim for braking because of that glass type flush hard surface works far better than any polished rim and is more durable and last longer as a flat surface than say a powder coated rim. The paint will always wear off back to metal that isn't as hard as chrome. One of my older chrome rims had copper or nickle or something under the chrome layer and I was told it had something to do with the electro-plating process when they dip it in the water and the chrome connects to the nickle. So all in all, things like rims, bars and forks that don't see a lot of bending stress or even visible clamping stress are ok for being chrome, mostly rims for that harder braking surface but things like stems, seat posts, bearing spacers, spokes and nipples are all better to be polished to look like chrome because they are prone to higher stress and that bending potential.

love this dude, could listen all day to his speaks about bmx.

Chipchrome is my favorite artist

Chrome has been changed before in bmx. Why some flatland dudes that run brakes still prefer old Araya rims. There's various types of chrome that we still use but hard chrome plating which is good for brakes is worse for the environment and causes lots of health issues.

I can confirm!! I ride brakes so I swear by chrome rims….. I have tried other polished rims and they just don’t brake as well

I have been sending max and alf vids of my buddy's powder coated chrome. To chrome the strip it then dip in copper then dip in chrome I believe it's also called nickle but I may be wrong. The plus of powercoat chrome will never rust so you get Shine forever.. chrome is for steel and alluminum is polished.

WELL DONE !

Eastern has two chrome stems available. Not highest polish prior, but actually chrome.

Bitd a friend has his beautiful brand new, 1987, dyno compe in that gorgeous radberry colour chromed. The bike was like 2 weeks old with full GT parts etc. It was the best bike. Into it was chromed. The chrome pitted badly either 1 trimoly frame or 2 badly prepped for chroming. It had holes all over the frame. Do NOT CHROME A DYNO!!! EVER!!!

Shiny rims are the worst doesn't matter if it is chrome or polished. Especially if you run brakes and they get wet... suddenly you don't run breaks 😂

chrome plating uses electricity and dipping the metal/etc. in chrome electroplating solution.. and it's expensive because of the chemical/solution and its way heavier due to the layers of copper,nickel,chrome etc.. i work here in japan at a electroplating company...

Chrome bikes need to make a comeback

Chrome plating can introduce hydrogen embrittlement- this can weaken the part if not correctly addressed.

Chroming parts is hazardous to health. That’s why it’s more expensive than any other colour, but when I had my Alex super e rims back in the day I did a grind and scratched the side of the rim water got underneath the chrome and made it blister and bubble, and then it all flaked off now I stick to black rims 👍🚲💨

Interesting

Chromed rims brakes a lot better than anything else. Also chrome works as anodic protection.

Great video! Alf you should get a chrome tooth😂😂

What about oil slick?

The only questions about BMX rims are, why don't they come in breakless shapes and offset spoke holes for rear rims? Most people ride breakless these days

I still miss chrome frames!!!!!

in my experience chrome rims do not grip as well with brakes compared to bare aluminum

Chrome kills 😢

We need chrome for those bicycle shows, that's why

Phu is crazy lol

A polished rim will have better braking characteristics compared to chrome.. that is for the very reason you gave, the chrome is smooth. Look at a discipline that really know about brakes, trials riding. The guys that really know what they're doing take an angle grinder to the brake surface to make it rough to bite into the pad of the brake.. so a super smooth brake surface is not as effective as a slightly rougher one of a polished rim

"You will ride eternal, shiny and chrome!"

Real Chrome is the best stopping force for brake pads. the Toughest wheels i ever rode were a pair of chrome seamless steel 1975 kawasaki bx wheels with thick teflon spokes until the front hub cracked so i stuck metal tape around it to keep it from leaking grease everywhere.i have since retired them may they r.i.p.

Me listening and shopping.

🌵

This music makes me want to go have a drink...

Phu does touching chrome cause cancer?

😂😂😂

Chrome takes ‘em home

If it ain’t chrome it ain’t BMX.

I want more danger

The saying is chrome won't get you home

Polished will never look as good as chrome!!! Also you can spray heavy degreser on chrome. Will just eat your wax and aluminum polish. Man i miss the 80s. Cant find quality anymore!!!!

first

Am I the only one that don't like the look of chrome bmx bikes.

Respect ✊

I've seen some parts especially now days,painted chrome,heard that the Stranger Things Mongoose frame is a painted chrome

Never been a fan of chrome… too shiny, heavy, and weak for my liking.

Whether it’s directly dangerous to you, the chroming process is a very dirty and harmfully polluting one.

Chrome is for kids and yes isnt good for anyone or anyplace