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Im considering buying a summer season 456 frame but am a little concerned about the RAW finish. Yes it looks cool but i don't like the sound of it rusting. Has anyone got one who can comment on the extent to which it rusts?? Also any other things i should be considering??
James
The clear lacquered finish looks nicer/cooler than the painted frames IMO.
I got mine in Sept/Oct 08 and it's been ridden over the winter and summer roughly once a week. Basically, it still looks very good. The only slight rust marks are around the chainstays caused by chain slap and chain suck, but it's not really noticable unless you really look and it would be the same issue on a painted frame. The other rust spots are little marks around the strengthening gussets to the head tube, but the same discolouration happens in the same place on their painted steal frames (I know, because my bro in law has a painted 456 frame with the same rust spots/discolouration).
Basically, I have a reasonable experience of 456 painted frames and 456 Summer clear lacquered frames, there is not really much in it IMO, maybe the painted frame is marginally more resistent to knocks and bashes, but there isn't much in it. How they compare with very regular use I don't know, or over 3-4 years regular use nobody knows yet because the 456 summer has only been available 12-18 months.
If you're wondering whether or not the clear lacquered finish is rubbish and/or doesn't last very long, then my opinion is that it is good, fit for purpose and it lasts.
Its about time you rode your bloody bike Mr BANANA! You missed a good night at Lee Quarry..
Sorry J, I was working tonight in Skipton, I've now become responsible for 2 shops, so my head is spinning a bit. I've actually now got a bit of pressure at work until both shops are running smoothly.
Fair enough mojo man, you'll soon have it licked.
On the subject of laquered or painted frames, i am selling a baby blue 456 which as Mr B says shows signs of rust around the gussets as do all inbreds. I have just had a Summer stripped and powdwer coated (£80) so its more individual as i didn't want me and MR B looking like some cheap bike team..
Talking to some kid at Buck Woods on a BMX, he had just had his stripped back to bare metal and that looked really industrial and would have been cheaper than paint!
Or a couple of gay blokes on his and his bikes! 😉
If it does rust... Well, the frames cost peanuts just now, the cost of the frame plus blasting and powdercoating it is still outrageous value. So don't worry about it.
I have an Inbred 567, with the same clear coating. It's from early '07, and as has been pointed out there's a little rust around the top-tube gusset. Other than that there's a few scrapes from chain suck, and lots of chips from rocks under the downtube, but little significant rust. The thing is, you barely notice the marks, the bit of rusting adds patina and character, but if you [i]really[/i] have a problem then buy a can of matt clear polyeurethane and spray over any dings. Who's going to notice? It's not like you have to colour match it! FWIW, I use a green ScotchBrite scouring pad to clean mine, I don't think it's seen soapy water since I had it built.
On one have a winner with the 456/Summer season. Tired of the finish? Then get it resprayed by a local Powder Coater for £30 later on.
Pound for pound no one is close to them on that frame. Puts big manufacturers to shame.
Ps. Ive had my commuter for over 2yrs. Never washed it. Not once and it has rust (probably road salt). I dont see it as an issue.