Old 03-26-15 | 11:51 AM
  #16  
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rekmeyata
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NE Indiana

Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS

Sometimes you can cut too much weight and end up with something you're trying to use only to find that it breaks to easily.

Never been a fan of TI bolts, they can strip or stretch, or what is known as stretching plastically, and take less stress than a steel bolt which means they have to be constantly tightened until eventually they snap then you have a part of the bolt stuck inside something, also since it is constantly moving you get creaking sounds which can damage things. Thus a ti bolt cannot clamp as well as a steel bolt of the same size, however if you know that the clamping force is light, like clamping something onto carbon fiber than it could work. The only other way TI bolts work is to make sure the bolts are grade 5 Titanium, if it doesn't have a shallow dimple pressed into the hex then assume the bolts are not suited for the application you attempting to use it for and could jeopardise your safety, of course grade 5 is more expensive than lessor TI bolts. And some steel bolts like 10.9 or 12.9 should NEVER be replaced with any TI bolt, these types of bolts are used to hold suspension pivots together which you'll find on a MTB but not on a road bike. Also TI bolts will deform in the hex opening once a tool is applied to it.

Some things that are considered to be light load bolts TI will work, some say seatpost rail clamps but I knew a guy who snapped his TI bolts for that use, not sure what happened since I wasn't the one that installed the bolts. But low stress stuff like water bottle cages it could be fine but you do have check the tightness of any TI bolts at least once a month.

Ti bolts weigh about 35% less than steel bolts but they're heavier than aluminium by about 30%, ti bolts will cost from $3 to $10 EACH, whereas an AL bolt will cost $1 to $3 each, so if you really want to save weight and money then get AL bolts instead for non crucial clamping. Also when using TI or AL bolts you have to use a anti seize lube on the treads of the bolt and the female threaded area to prevent the TI from cold welding onto the steel, than of course every time that bolt is removed you must reapply the goop.

But again for the money that TI bolts cost vs just regular steel you'll spend far more money than the weight savings is worth, this is the worse place to spend money to try to save weight.
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