Silver finishing kit options

Don't think we already have a thread on this?

I'm considering a silver stem and seatpost on my CAAD9 and want to know what's out there. I have a lovely Campag steel Centaur post but I can't quite get the right angle (0 or +3 degrees in either direction). Ideally I'd like a 25mm setback post with a good range of adjustment and a 10 degree stem with minimal/no graphics. Nothing too vintage looking as this isn't an old steel bike. Also doesn't need to be matchy matchy but would like them to work well together.

What I know of:

Thomson: has 10 degree options, layback post is limited to 16mm offset and is weird looking, good adjustment though, machined finish is quite nice, heavy.

Ritchey classic: has 25mm setback option, no idea on adjustment range, stem limited to 6 degree, finish looks good, not sure if graphics can be removed?

Zipp SC: 20mm setback? 6 degree stem, heavy, not seen in the flesh but matt silver looks painted/cheap, not sure if graphics can be removed

Nitto: S83 post looks nice, twin bolt adjustment and lovely finish. UI-22EX 17 degree? UI-87 looks good but is limited to 5 degrees.

Simm works: Caroline stem, 10 degrees but doesn't have a removable faceplate, expensive.

Zenith: 8 degree stem, cheap, no graphics, not sure about quality or looks?

What else is out there?

Deda RS01 seatpost

The Spotter & Hulsroy favourite Zoom

Hope stem

Nitto crystal fellow?

Nitto: S83 post looks nice, twin bolt adjustment and lovely finish. UI-22EX 17 degree? UI-87 looks good but is limited to 5 degrees.

S65 is cheaper and lighter than the s83 post.

UI-21EX is 8 degrees

UI-87EX is iirc for a 26mm bar - you'd want the UI-85EX. Only 5 degrees again though which is a shame, it's a better finished stem than the 21/22.

Also Ritchey classic C220 (maybe only 6 degrees).

Paul Boxcar stem comes in 15 degree. Stupidly heavy and pricy.

R2 bike used to have silver Hyperstems (which could be 12 degree) but they seem to have fallen off the internet apart from this tiny stamp sized picture

1 Attachment

if you got peas to burn

Tune comes in silver

@PhilDAS Deda is quite nice albeit quite heavy. Cheap enough to cut right down though and I'm guessing like most Deda graphics they would come off in the wind. I'd forgotten about those Zoom's, guessing if they're liked on here they actually work, are they steel? That tune stem is incredible but yeah, too spendy for my shallow pockets.

@Tychom cheers for the info, any idea about adjustment on the S65? Single bolt clamps generally tell me they're limited to the groves in the rail seating like my Campag.

S65 doesn't have grooves, so has all the adjustment.

Yeah, no grooves and quite a range of adjustment. Had a few of them and have no complaints, dead easy to set up.

A bit more pricey and just 14mm setback but there's the PMP SB 14 too which looks alright. Seems hard to track down right now (were on sale 6 months back in some places) so maybe that's the end of production.

Velo Orange do silver stems

https://freshtripe.co.uk/components/stems/threadless-stems/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hylix-Super-Ultra-Light-1-1-8-31-8mm-Chrome-stem-Ti-Bolts-94g/291665713638?hash=item43e8a199e6%3Ag%3Ad04AAOSw9mFWLPP3&LH_ItemCondition=3

If you want 10° you're basically looking a Thomson or a stripped Pro Vibe 7s, not much else out there.
You can maybe get a custom Extralite, but that would be megabucks.

If you do go down the stripping route, you can use any seatpost you want. :)

edit: I actually have an 120mm Pro Vibe 7S stem, but with a 1 1/4 steerer with shim to 1 1/8, in my parts bin.

I wouldn’t bother with the Nitto UI ahead stems, got one for my next build and they’re nothing special & the UI decals are a bit garish. Ritchey Classic is nice, Velo Orange too.

Has anyone polished a black stem or post to silver successfully?

Good question, I have a Pro PLT stem I'd be willing to sacrifice.

TBH I'd probably rather get it stripped and re-anodised silver by a pro. I prefer the slight matt look of anodising over mirror polished and I don't have the patience to re shine mine every week. Failing that it already has silver graphics and a machined silver face, that might work with a silver post ok.

Anyone had anything anodised lately?

Also, does anyone know if CC or FSA cone spacers are made of steel or alloy?

i don't know about success, but i once stripped a black post in my bath using caustic soda

How did it look afterwards? And how long did you leave it in there so as not to strip it away to non existence?

it looked ok iirc. i left it for maybe 5 mins? less? i think i kept an eye on it and jumped in when i felt it was necessary. i wouldn't have done the same to a nice post, FYI.

You also have kalloy uno stems. Very light, cheap and available in silver in 0,7,17 and 25 degree offset I think, and ubiquitous on eBay as UNO stems. Slim profile suits less chunk headtubes as well. Logo looks naff but rubs off really easily if you soak in acetone for a few mins. UNO seatpost is also available in a variety of setbacks and diameters.

Think Thomson even does a 25mm layback post now, though not sure in silver and agree the kinked profile doesn’t suit every bike.

If you want to go unspendy then PlanetX do the Holdsworth Gran Sport silver stem and seatpost. I have the stem and it seems to be working fine.

What are peoples thoughts on the finish of the silver Zipp kit? Looks a bit white/grey/off to me on web pictures but i've heard it's actually a really nice matt silver ano finish IRL.

Would like something silver but less shiny than my Ritchey C220 stuff.

I always thought it looked a bit meh, but someone on here did it well recently on a Ridley gravel bike. Can’t find it now. Not seen it IRL either.

That's @Ifonlyiwerebelgian bike if I'm not mistaken

Ahhh yep thanks

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16818820/

Anyone on here DIYed anodising?