[Asahi]

I have been working on getting the bolts on my 2006 Racer X changed over to Ti and AL bolts. Well after a few tries I have finished my project and thought I would share my results. I weighed all the bolts before and then weighed everything that came off after so I can show a savings and cost and I even included the brand of parts I am using so people can cross reference and use this to save them time. I measured all bolts with a cailper and tested different lengths until I found the best option. As a side note countersink bolt lengths include the head of the bolt. All other bolt lengths do not include the head.

 

[SKullman]

That's pretty cool, so does include every bolt? I didn't expect it so close to 100 grams.

 

[Asahi]

99 grams includes everyting listed. I am sure thereare bolts I've not changed that were not counted.

 

[Axis II]

Bolt tuning is a great hobby. I could almost be satisfied never riding my bike and just changing out heavy bolts for lighter ones. Well, maybe not. Thanks for the data.:thumbsup:

 

[[email protected]]

Hey Asahi, I just finished building up my Exogrid and was looking for information on what Ti and Al I could use in the different unions. Your list fit the bill perfect!

 

[Wheelspeed]

Don't forget feedback later please!

Nice list there.

I just had to replace a bent shock bolt and was thinking about trying a titanium bolt but chickened out. My rear triangle is an older style that puts a lot of stress on the lower shock bolt.

Please let us know if you have problems with your titanium shock bolts. I'd still like to replace a couple of those lunkers!

 

[Duckman]

Since your asking for feedback..

I swapped out my shock bolts(and lower bolt locknut, as well as the pivot cap bolts) for ti on 2 NRSs a couple seasons ago. Have broken 1 lower shock bolt(6mm x 35mm. upper is 6mm x 65mm) to date with maybe 30 races as well as countless rides. Having said that..the one that broke did so 2 weeks into its life. 2yrs later, still no probs with the rest. Makes me believe that bolt had some kinda flaw.

All still in service atm.

 

[Jesseg]

I'm confused. I used to think that if I couldn't get a magnet to stick to a bolt, it must be Ti or Al, and there wasn't much weight left to be saved. I've since realized that that must not be true, although what kind of metal is on my OEM bolts that doesn't stick to a magnet if it's not Ti or Al? Does the magnet test at least suggest which bolts (second to size) have the most potential for weight savings?

For instance, I was thinking that my x9 shifter bolt was Al, because it seems pretty light to me at 4 grams, and it won't stick to a magnet, and why would SRAM want to shell out for Ti in that application. Do bolts that size (m5 X 20) get much lighter than that? Doesn't xtr and XO come with optimized bolts?

I would love to know how much each replacement bolt weighs if Asahi is willing to post that. Without knowing what my OEM bolts are made of, nor what the replacement bolts weigh, I can't predict weight savings if I were to get my own project going. I have seen Nino's post listing per-bolt weight savings, but it's only useful if everything on your bike is steel. It would be more useful to know the weights of optimized bolts so that we could weigh our own versions and see what is left to be gained.

Thanks.

 

[pimpbot]

I'm confused. I used to think that if I couldn't get a magnet to stick to a bolt, it must be Ti or Al, and there wasn't much weight left to be saved.

...

Magnets won't stick to Stainless Steel either.