Titanium or stainless steel?
03-29-20, 06:18 AM
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Titanium or stainless steel?
I rescued a bike from the trash, and the handlebars are a shiny metal with a wire brush finish.
How could I tell if they are titanium or stainless steel? What is the difference in the appearance of titanium and stainless steel? Could they be something other than titanium or stainless steel?
Here is a picture of the bike.
I don't have a good picture of the handlebars, and I am not at home, so I can't take one. But here is a close up of the handlebars from the other picture.
How could I tell if they are titanium or stainless steel? What is the difference in the appearance of titanium and stainless steel? Could they be something other than titanium or stainless steel?
Here is a picture of the bike.
I don't have a good picture of the handlebars, and I am not at home, so I can't take one. But here is a close up of the handlebars from the other picture.
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03-29-20, 06:46 AM
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That's not a bike that would normally have a Ti or SS anything on it.
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03-29-20, 07:29 AM
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I believe it is not aluminum. It is an old bike and the handlebars have retained their shine, like new. The bike is mostly aluminum, including the frame. The seat post is still like new aluminum, the cranks, the brake levers. It seems the bike has never been left in the rain. The aluminum does not shine like the handlebars. The handlebars shine like stainless steel.
03-29-20, 07:43 AM
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It may be difficult to see in the pictures, and I am not home so I can't take more. Here is a picture of the seat post. It is aluminum, and like new. Then a 'zoomed in even more,' picture of the handlebars.
The handlebars are much more shiny than the seat post.
The handlebars are much more shiny than the seat post.
03-29-20, 07:55 AM
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Remove the plugs and look at the end of the bar. Thick wall = aluminum; thin wall = steel.
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03-29-20, 08:00 AM
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If you saw this in real life, could you tell by the appearance if it is stainless steel or titanium? Is there a difference in their appearance?
03-29-20, 08:03 AM
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When you have access to the bike.
Aluminium, Titanium, and 300 series Stainless are all non magnetic
Look if there are any markings on the bars, manufacturer, sizes, model, etc.
Pull one of the grips - take a knife and on the ID of the tube try cutting it as if you were deburring a pipe.. Aluminium is soft enough a utility knife will cut it.
Aluminium, Titanium, and 300 series Stainless are all non magnetic
Look if there are any markings on the bars, manufacturer, sizes, model, etc.
Pull one of the grips - take a knife and on the ID of the tube try cutting it as if you were deburring a pipe.. Aluminium is soft enough a utility knife will cut it.
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03-29-20, 08:03 AM
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03-29-20, 08:12 AM
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As long as they are strong enough. I am heavier than most riders, so strength of all bike part is important to me. I don't even ride bikes with tires thinner than mountain bikes.
But that is not the point. I am 100% certain these handlebars are not aluminum. Aluminum does not shine like stainless steel.
But that is not the point. I am 100% certain these handlebars are not aluminum. Aluminum does not shine like stainless steel.
03-29-20, 08:56 AM
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03-29-20, 08:58 AM
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As long as they are strong enough. I am heavier than most riders, so strength of all bike part is important to me. I don't even ride bikes with tires thinner than mountain bikes.
But that is not the point. I am 100% certain these handlebars are not aluminum. Aluminum does not shine like stainless steel.
But that is not the point. I am 100% certain these handlebars are not aluminum. Aluminum does not shine like stainless steel.
Also.. could just be chrome plated run of the mill steel?
03-29-20, 09:12 AM
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I do not believe anyone would put stainless steel or titanium handlebars on that bike. It would be senseless. I think they are probable aluminum, maybe a low grade steel alloy. What does it matter, anyway?
03-29-20, 09:16 AM
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My guess is wire brushed alloy, either factory, or in all likelihood home done to hide scratches. I really doubt anyone would put ti bars on that stem.
And about that welded stem. I lift a bit and run 210-220ish, I wouldn't ride that stem on the trails I ride, in fact I wouldn't ride it anywhere but around the block.
Fwiw, all my bars are aluminum alloy or carbon.
And about that welded stem. I lift a bit and run 210-220ish, I wouldn't ride that stem on the trails I ride, in fact I wouldn't ride it anywhere but around the block.
Fwiw, all my bars are aluminum alloy or carbon.
Last edited by Wileyrat; 03-29-20 at 09:21 AM.
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03-29-20, 09:17 AM
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$20 says they are aluminum/. Another $20 says if you are worried about strength due to materiual alone you are worrying for no reason. My LHT--a bike designed to carry heavy loads and heavy people--has aluminum bars. I have taken it fully loaded on roads that simulate mountain biking.
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03-29-20, 09:27 AM
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My bikes normally have the handlebars they came with. I don't get worried and switch handlebars. But I have changed handlebars for raised ones.
03-29-20, 09:29 AM
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If there were two handlebars side by side, one titanium, and the other stainless steel, could any of you tell which was which by looking at them? Is there any difference in their appearance? What is that difference?
