BMX - titanium axles

i have been running a Ti spindle with my hollowbites for a couple months with no problems. i only went for the Ti spindle after extensive reading of metalurgist's reports, and so i happily made the purchase. i am very happy with it.

now, as specified in my other thread about the trade i have been offered, i might end up with a Ti axle in a oddy cassette hub.

seeing as axles can get all scratched up and stuff with hard bails on street, i was wondering if Ti is a problem. in the case of a Ti spindle, there is like, no abrasive damage to the Titanium, but with a Ti axle that may occur.

my question is simply, does Titanium deteriorate any more then standard axles do?

i wanted to get opinions from riders who have ridden or are riding Ti axle(s).

thanks in advance.

J

some useful links on 4130 vs. Ti materials comparison

4130 Steel (http://www.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=M4130G)
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V (http://www.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MTP642)
Tensile Strength (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_strength)
Modulus of Elasticity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modulus_of_elasticity)

Tensile Strength:
4130 - 951 MPa v Ti - 1100 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity:
4130 - 205 GPa v Ti - 114 GPa

Basically, the Ti is slightly stronger but is definitely more flexy than 4130. I'm not sure how all that translates to scratching when riding street though. The material hardness of titanium is greater than that of 4130 which explains why titanium is harder to machine, driving up the cost of parts in addition to material costs. I bought a Ti spindle a while back and have been extremely happy with it as well. I also have an Odyssey cassette hub, so have been thinking about the Ti axle as well. My experience with titanium so far has been good, and the numbers seem to look good to me, but I have no real world examples. I'd be interested in some actual rider feedback on this as well, but hopefully some of this helps you.

ti spindle = not bad idea
ti axle = bad idea

just buy a new axle if it ends up breaking its only 15 dollars...but i dont think you should go for the trade.

mude is half right, ti spindles are juust fine but so are ti axles, but only in the front and 14mm and suuuper light peg use...


but ti prices are going up anyways...so say goodbye to your ti parts addiction unless you want to start selling crystal meth out of the trunk of your car for quick cash...

Shouldn't be any problem with a ti axle. I put a lot of faith in titanium. See avatar.

if he runs pegs aggressivly he will.
and even if he doesnt i still think that axles arent a good place to skimp on strenght to conserve weight...

i'd agree with that, but even with no peg use?

but only in the front and 14mm and suuuper light peg use...


then it would be better to run 3/8

suuuper light peg use...
he said in one of his other threads he rode heavy street

If I ride pegless, I should be alright with Ti axels right? Also, I have heard that if you do a lot of pedal grinds, and you have a Ti spindle, it could mess up the spindle and you shouldn't get it. Is that true?

you will probably be fine with the spindle, you have to suck at pedal grinds to mess up a spindle

you will probably be fine with the spindle, you have to suck at pedal grinds to mess up a spindle

Or you have to go huge and stuff up. Thanks for the info with the Ti spindle. By the way, do you think buying Ti spindles are worth it with how spendy they are?



[Inappropriate language edited by moderator

Cheers,

Expatriate]

My ride has knightbmx co ti axles,rnc ti spindle, all ti spokes I never had a problem with anything breaking, been running these products hard for last 2 years too. I use a little grease on the axle threads and always run a die on the ends before installing the nuts. http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7743/img5f06616rg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

What does that beauty weigh in at with all that Ti stuff(and the LAf?)?

What does that beauty weigh in at with all that Ti stuff(and the LAf?)?

this is a 20.5 stricker frame weighs under 24 lbs.

then it would be better to run 3/8
no 3/8 ti is crazzzzzy

if your going to run a Ti axle make it 14mm...thats what i meant...

i meant a 4130 3/8 would probably be as strong as a 14mm Ti, and like 1/8 the price