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Ti bolts - rough we...
 

[Closed] Ti bolts - rough weight saving?

 DT78
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[#1169116]

Can't seem to find the answer via google (I'm sure it's there somewhere)

But what sort of weight savings do ti bolts make over standard bolts.

Interested in Rotor, headset, stem, brake caliper bolts....


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:32 pm
 Smee
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Roughly heehaw.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:33 pm
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Go for a dump before you ride, eh


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:34 pm
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They're a bit fragile. Don't bother.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:34 pm
 DT78
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Helpful comments 🙂

Wasn't expecting it to be loads, just interested.

Hadn't heard they were fragile though


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:39 pm
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[url= http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_metals.htm ]look it up and work it out[/url]


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:45 pm
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Cheap ti bolts (like the ones from superstar / ti bolts) are fragile in that the heads are very soft, good ones on the other hand are robust enough for most applications, they are about half the weight of normal bolts.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:45 pm
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Density of Steel is about 7800kgm^-3
Density of Ti is about 4500kgm^-3

So about 60% of the weight of your steel bolts.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:50 pm
 mrmo
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Ti bolts are expensive for the weight saving, probably better looking at Alu bolts for most applications and then Decent Ti where you need the extra strength. The saving is worth it if you are finishing a decent bike, but don't use it as a way of saving weight as a first step.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 7:52 pm
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Switching from lockon grips to foam will save about 3* as much weight as switching to Ti bolts.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 8:08 pm
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It's a horrible return on your investment. On the other hand, they'll most likely transfer to other bikes and last pretty much forever unless you lose or damage them. But still, it's a proper weight weenie thing to do. When you think that there's not really a huge amount of fasteners on a bike anyway, and most are pretty small, there's just not that much leeway to save weight there.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 8:14 pm
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You can only use alloy bolts for "mounting" things, like bottle cages, etc etc, you can't use them in load bearing applications like seatposts, seat clamps, stems etc etc. You can either use Ti or Steel.

you can try here for a selection of decent quality ti/alloy hardware

http://www.tastynuts.com/ (although, not much selection and quite expensive in comparison to tibolts.co.uk)

remember, theres only 453g to a pound 😉

although i DO think that ti bolts are really only worth it if you've shed most of the weight elsewhere first. E.g the grips comment above, i swapped my lockons which weighed over 100g for some foam ones which weigh...25g, and i can't tell the difference.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 8:19 pm
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They dont rust 😆


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 8:36 pm
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id be interested to know where to get the quality Ti bolts that are a bit more hardy than they cheaper ones. For example my stem bolts even though I look after them and use a torque wrench etc are starting to look a bit worn, whilst my rotor bolts are still spot on after many changes.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 10:12 pm
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Tastynuts are a good supplier. BSR Aerotek are goood too. Neither is cheap though...


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 10:38 pm
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They dont rust

Neither do SS ones. Got a fair smattering of Ti ones on my bike (and some alu), but there's not much spare on that - already have the foam grips, light tyres etc. - and there didn't used to be much spare on me. Very hard to justify for most normal 25lb+ bikes.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 11:52 pm
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Stupid material to make bolts from. Dont bother! 😉


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 12:05 am
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Tastynuts Ti bolts are spot on.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 12:13 am
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Drilled steel bolts look cooler 🙂

and nearly the same weight

and you can do it yourself


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 12:18 am