Tom Hayes wrote:
"There is a plater outside of Cleveland, in Grafton, Ohio, called Custom Chrome who does the chrome work for Franklin Bicycle, where I first got the name. Three years ago, I had them rechrome a set of Stronglight Competition cranks, without the rings. The cost was ninety dollars. I just sent him pictures of another set of Stronglight Competition cranks; he estimated the cost to be about two hundred dollars.
I don't have a sense from him whether this reflects that the earlier set he did was underpriced, or the current price reflects changes in the market, but the price has more that doubled, though the set he did was beautifully done."
I don't know how all shops may work. But, as mentioned a few weeks ago, I am currently having a stem rechromed (I have passed for now on getting the other parts done) at a local shop.
When talking to the guy who owns the place I found that there is no clear fixed price on any one part. Each part is looked at in detail to determine the degree of pitting, amount of detail, etc. Price is determined after assessing the amount of work each might require. These guys have been in business doing all sorts of plating - including medical instruments, vintage car and motorcycle parts, antique bicycles, etc. - for over 35 years so I would imagine they know what they are doing.
Paul
Paul B. Williams, MPhil, PhD
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
castell5@sympatico.ca