List, Does anyone know if some of our favorite classic bike bits were made of aluminized steel? I'm thinking about the derailleur cages of certain Simplex front derailleurs. It's steel, but without either the shine of chrome or the flat look of zinc. It has a nice, even, buffed-looking finish, sometimes called a matte finish, I think. I don't know if aluminizing of steel is done with a hot-dip or electro-plating process, but it does give a nice durable finish. I've often wondered how certain steel items are protected if they aren't stainless, chromed or galvanized. Saddle rails and spokes come to mind. Zinc is effective, of course, but can be pretty dingy-looking. Maybe some of you amateur (or professional) metallurgist-types can comment.
John Hurley
Austin, Texas, USA