American Framebuilders' Antipathy to Chrome Rich, It's not until recently that USA builders have the availability to use stainless steel dropouts. Hank James were pretty much the only stainless dropouts for many years. It wasn't always practical to use them because they don't assimilate into every frame design. Now days we can get a variety of stainless dropouts from around the globe. Still, they are not of the forged plate design (ie Campy, Suntour, Shimano), so you become boxed into the tube diameters that are needed. Therefore, it limits you in choices. To get back to chroming, as Richard Sachs stated, it is a very expensive proposition. And because you need to send it out, you end up relinquishing control of your product to that of the plater. If he doesn't know what he's doing, since thin wall tubing needs special handling, he can really destroy the frame. This is far different than painting. It can affect the durability of the bike. About 10 years ago, a customer insisted on having his frame nickel plated. He was willing to pay the difference and it went to the plater. It got so messed up, I had to build a new frame. The plating pulled all the silver and brass out of the lug joints. And I really researched this guy before I took the frame to him. He just didn't understand the care needed with a bike frame. It was not worth it! Well, I hope I explained some of the draw backs to plating. God Bless
Anthony Mezzatesta