Edging toward a silver component bike build
I feel the time is right for bike builders to be looking at silver or chrome components again.
I say ‘again’. Or course I am too young to remember the first time round in the ’90s (or at least the early 2000’s) when silver components were de rigeur. This was the tasteful phase after early ’90s fluoro and before the era of none-more-black that’s been with us ever since.
I’m bored of it.
I appreciate black goes with anything. But since I got my tan wall Hutchinson tyres I’ve fancied something a little different.
Those tan walls actually surprised me – I was dead against the idea until I put them on the Bird Aether where they have been ever since. Despite a summer only tread depth I remain reluctant to swap them out for my standard Maxxis Minions.
Although this week’s weather will probably persuade me…
But back to chrome/silver…
I recently got an email from PNW Components showcasing their special edition silver Loam and Ranier droppers. That’s silver stanchions as well as a silver body and quite honestly I think they look great.
Imagine a bike build with a silver dropper post coupled with – for example – a Halo Vapour 35 tubeless wheelset in silver, a silver stem and brake levers and tan wall tyres?
I reckon the stem would be easy to source e.g. Hope but maybe we need to wait on silver brake levers? Trust me, it won’t be long for manufacturers to offer something, although I’m ahead of the game. I still run Shimano XT M875 brakes with silver reservoir caps!
I kind of feel you’d need a fairly muted frame colour to set all that silver off; maybe a flat ’50s inspired colour or at least something more matte than glossy. And fork manufacturers need to get on board too.
Either way, I feel it won’t be long before we see some silver/chrome builds in the wild. If MTB doesn’t do it, Gravel™ sure as hell will! You heard it here first…
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 4 comments on ‘Edging toward a silver component bike build’
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Tony says:
hmmmm “I am too young to remember the first time round in the ’90s” hmmmm are you sure Mat
and yes go for the Silver build..
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Posted on October 8, 2024 at 8:50 am
Matt says:
“hmmmm are you sure Mat”
I think my memory must be going!
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Posted on October 8, 2024 at 9:48 am
Elliot says:
I’m still annoyed Shimano stopped doing silver components. It stayed looking nice much longer than black. For cranks in particular this is a scandal. Back when there was a choice I always picked silver. Recent Exposure lights are gun metal. Much more resistant to rubbing and scratches.
Looking around at 2025 bikes there seems to be a purple theme. Also gold. Gold is easily overdone. I’m looking at you, Fox! 🤮
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Posted on October 8, 2024 at 10:58 am
Matt says:
Agree with the silver cranks Elliot, I would prefer silver/polished over black. Maybe one day I’ll treat myself to some Middleburn cranks (although not sure they do 12-speed chainrings)?
As for gold – ugh!
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Posted on October 8, 2024 at 11:55 pm