Wanna restore my cranks...

[The expat cyclist]

So beginning of this year a purchased a “previously loved” mtb. The frame was in perfect condition. The only thing that urked me about the bike was the crank arms. XTR cranks. But you know when a person rides duck toe and his heels scrape the crank arms with the inside of the shoe? It has those marks. This is the only thing that looks tatty and sedond hand and I would like to get it sorted.

 

So, ideas i had for the cranks is vinyl wrapping and re-anodyzing. Polishing may not blend in with the rest of the bike.

 

Your suggestions?

[Adr!@n]

Anodizing is cheap. I'm about to have a frame anodized and it works out ridiculously cheap.

 

https://www.facebook.com/AstroAnodising/

[Ferro]

Have the exact same issue also with a used set of XTR cranks purchased for a build. Please share your progress with whatever you end up doing. Keen to see the outcome.

[Barry_W]

From my limited knowledge of anodizing I understand that the part needs to aluminum only. So that would exclude something like a crank arm with a steel pedal thread pressed in.

[ThePubSA]

also hydrodip 

[smarter]

Anodizing can only be done to fabricated aluminum, so 2 pieces of extruded aluminum that are welded together.

It cannot be done to cast aluminum, so cranks cannot be done.

If your frame has cast drop outs or any other cast bits you cannot have it anodized.

[Butterbean]

Why not just spray them? Unless you have serious issues with your shoes scuffing them, painted cranks do very well to stay neat for a long time. And if you're good enough to rattle can a clear them, you can redo them at very little cost from home.

 

I have painted cranks that have clear vinyl over the outside, with normal crank boots. They look stellar after a year.

[Barry_W]

Edit, double post, I wish phone reply's gave some feedback when you press send.

[Barry_W]

Anodizing can only be done to fabricated aluminum, so 2 pieces of extruded aluminum that are welded together.

It cannot be done to cast aluminum, so cranks cannot be done.

If your frame has cast drop outs or any other cast bits you cannot have it anodized.

Would that also mean hydoformed aluminum? I didn’t realize that cast parts couldn’t be anodized as I’ve seen brake levers and calipers anodized

[DJR]

I have seen very good results from selectively polishing only the area of the crank arm that gets scuffed and leaving the rest as is or painting it. If you are not prone to scuffing it, then I would paint it all over. If you are, then block off the area that gets damaged and spend some time sanding and polishing it to a high shine. You can also try incorporate a design into the polished area to add a bit of artistic flair and make it a one of a kind crank. In the image below, as a quick example, I would highly polish the shiny part, but leave the rest as it is.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Have them Vapour Blasted (water & bead), it gives a great finish.

[smarter]

Would that also mean hydoformed aluminum? I didn’t realize that cast parts couldn’t be anodized as I’ve seen brake levers and calipers anodized

[smarter]

It can be done by specialist anodizers using different solutions. Locally our anodizers would be concentrating on production and not the small market of people customizing bits and pieces.

I have never found a company that can do it locally and if someone does find a company I would appreciate the contact details. I fiddle a lot with motorbikes and bicycles and this has always been a stumbling block for me

[Grebel]

It can be done by specialist anodizers using different solutions. Locally our anodizers would be concentrating on production and not the small market of people customizing bits and pieces.

I have never found a company that can do it locally and if someone does find a company I would appreciate the contact details. I fiddle a lot with motorbikes and bicycles and this has always been a stumbling block for me

 

If you are doing a lot of it and you need "special" colors (not you average red, blue, black etc) and your parts aren't too big, then maybe look at a DIY setup. Not difficult if the online instructables info is anything to go by

[clement]

How about just putting on a crank protector, certainly the quickest and cheapest option.

 

https://www.evobikes.co.za/wolftooth-crankarm-protectors.html

[gummibear]

Have them Cerakoted.

 

If it's strong enough for rifles and manifolds i'm sure it'll be good on cranks.They can do any colour you want.