Any Titanium bolts on your bike?

My retro Panasonic team Eddy Merckx with super record from approx 1977 has a titanium derailleur mounting bolt. I was amazed to find out Dura ace 7800 (2004) has a steel rear derailleur mounting (to the frame) bolt. "Why not titanium???".

So I wondered which titanium bolts did all of you place on your bike and did you consider them safe for their purpose after some experience? In other threads I see the bolt heads are prone to wear out from tools. But safety is my prime concern
Me? Only expander top cap bolt. Good experience but only tried for two weeks yet. And yes the derailleur super record bolts.. good since 1977 B)

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,310
    There was a point in the 80s when titanium became fashionable as a way to save weight and retaining the same strength as steel.
    The reality is that a derailleur titanium bolt will probably weigh 5 grams less than an equivalent steel bolt... for small bolts the saving is even less.
    In other words, it's not worth paying premium for a titanium bolt
    left the forum March 2023
  • thistle_
    thistle_ Posts: 7,217
    Aren't they also prone to bimetallic corrosion when in contact with aluminium or steel if not installed correctly?
    Not usually a safety problem but you won't be able to get it out.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Bring back the 90s....
  • My bottle cage bolts are Titanium. Celeste anodised as well.
  • siddy1972
    siddy1972 Posts: 180
    My 3t ARX stem has. But only because it’s what it came with. They’re Torx, so no problem with rounding. No surface rust either like SS bolts seem to get even though they shouldn’t.
    I slap a bit of Aquaproof paste on anything threaded to prevent corrosion (I hope).
  • manglier
    manglier Posts: 1,264

    Aren't they also prone to bimetallic corrosion when in contact with aluminium or steel if not installed correctly?

    Short answer is no. The Ti bolts will not corrode, however if they are in contact with say an Aluminium alloy part it is that which will tend to corrode in the presence of an electrolyte. Think of Ti bottle cage bolts where the Rivnuts are alloy and that's where you should assemble using a jointing compound (Duralac),


  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,102
    Bottle cage bolts
    Stem bolts

    - only because the stainless ones always end up rusting
    BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
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  • Ditto. It’s not a weight or strength issue for me, but I do like that they absolutely do not rust or tarnish. I use Torx T25 headed bolts, so have no issues with tools rounding them.
    They use their cars as shopping baskets; they use their cars as overcoats.