On 1 Mar 2003 20:37:39 -0800,
[email protected] (Bluto) wrote:
>Gary Smiley <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I've noticed that Ti is becoming the all-purpose yuppie metal of choice whether or not it's
>> appropriate. What other things shouldn't be made with titanium? I can think of a few: rims,
>> nipples, spindles- what else?
>
>--Components usually made of steel, where for fit reasons they can't be enlarged dimensionally:
>
>Fork steerer tubes
If fork blades are an acceptable use of titanium, it may be necessary to use a Ti steerer tube too,
to avoid complexity at the crown. It might be necessary to make it heavier than a steel one of the
same stiffness and outside diameter, possibly negating any advantage from using Ti blades
>Threaded axles Crank bolts
Conventional ones can actually be acceptably replaced with aluminium after using the original steel
one to seat the crank on the taper. Octalink/ISIS seem to work OK with titanium for both setting
and holding.
>Canti brake bosses Saddle rails
Thousands of satisfied Flite users, in my case with the same saddle on my road bike for 10 years,
might disagree
>Rear sprockets
This is just a matter of how much you want to spend to reduce the weight; Ti sprockets are much
lighter than steel, and much more expensive. I haven't seen any test results indicating faster wear
on Ti, though the fact that we all happily use Al chainrings where steel would be cheaper and more
durable indicates that it would be a rice many people would be happy to pay.
>Chains QR skewers
Ti skewers are plenty strong enough for road bikes, and they don't suffer from the corrosion which
can afflict steel ones. If your ATB suspension design relies on skewer stiffness to keep everything
in shape, it's probably time to switch to a 20mm thru' axle design.
>Spokes, of course
>
>--Components for which aluminum does the job (while weighing less):
>
>Headset cups Stems
Steel, aluminium and titanium can all be fashioned into handlebar stems combining low weight and
adequate stiffness and strength. I've got all three materials on different bikes, and none of them
has given me cause to choose a stem based on material choice alone.
>
>There are only a few places IMO where the use of titanium can be of benefit or at least of no harm:
>
>Frame tubing Fork blades Handlebars Seatposts Springs Non-critical bolts and pivot pins, where the
>mating part is not Ti
>
>
>Chalo Colina
Kinky Cowboy
*Your milage may vary Batteries not included May contain traces of nuts.