Customize your bike for about $6
So here’s a super cheap and fun way to quickly add some pizazz to your bike.
Get yourself some engine or brake caliper enamel from your local auto parts store. I chose a funky green. I would have preferred pink to match the theme of my bike.
Then I removed my caliper and rotor. I made sure I taped off part of the rotor where the prongs met the brake surface for accuracy.
I followed it up with a full tape job.
I then disassembled my caliper, removing the pads and I cleaned up with a degreaser. After taping off some of the moving parts, I started to paint!
I also pained the inside of the rotor. I used a bottle to to allow it to lay flat, but not so the other side would be touching the surface.
It took a few coats of paint, but I think the final result looks pretty good.
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11/05/2009
Ooh, dang. That does look pretty sweet! Good idea to use the brake caliper paint as those rotors will heat up.
11/05/2009
I call that bike my Watermelon. Pink cables and grips (fruit), green rotors and calipers(rind)…black frame (seed).
11/05/2009
NICE! I want pink accents on mine!
11/05/2009
I had the toughest time finding the pink. I may have to special order it.
11/05/2009
Simple but it does stand out. Thanks for the idea! How durable is the paint? Will it chip off easily?
I see you already installed the magnetic pedals, write up coming soon?
11/05/2009
DT,
Tonight will be the first time I’ll be riding with the newly painted rotors and caliper, so we’ll see how it goes. Same thing for the pedals. I had issues installing the cleats, I’ll have to use a Dremel to grind off part of my shoes.
11/12/2009
[...] You can read all about it here. [...]
11/12/2009
Yah, I like it! Nice work.
12/10/2009
[...] to accept it as it is. There are a few out there that seek to stand out and RL Policar over at Mtn Bike Riders provides a simple hack to help give your boring disc brakes some [...]