The expat cyclist Posted November 11, 2018 Share 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adr!@n Posted November 11, 2018 Share Anodizing is cheap. I'm about to have a frame anodized and it works out ridiculously cheap. https://www.facebook.com/AstroAnodising/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferro Posted November 11, 2018 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry_W Posted November 11, 2018 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePubSA Posted November 11, 2018 Share also hydrodip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarter Posted November 11, 2018 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterbean Posted November 11, 2018 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry_W Posted November 11, 2018 Share Edit, double post, I wish phone reply's gave some feedback when you press send. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry_W Posted November 11, 2018 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJR Posted November 12, 2018 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffsVintageBikes Posted November 12, 2018 Share Have them Vapour Blasted (water & bead), it gives a great finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarter Posted November 12, 2018 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarter Posted November 12, 2018 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebel Posted November 12, 2018 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clement Posted November 12, 2018 Share How about just putting on a crank protector, certainly the quickest and cheapest option. https://www.evobikes.co.za/wolftooth-crankarm-protectors.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted November 12, 2018 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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