Are cheap titanium bolts from AliExpress safe?

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jayjay
Posts: 406
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:07 am
Location: Germany
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by jayjay

Hey,
is buying these "pretty cheap" titanium bolts from AliExpress a good idea?
Any safety concerns?

0,46€ each with free shipping (M5 x 16mm) sounds way better than the usual 3€ or more from bike shops.

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/4000492833301.html

EdWiser
Posts: 196
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:50 pm

by EdWiser

The answer is simple no. As a maintenance tech for 40 years. Cheap bolts are junk. Good way to hurt your self.

by Weenie


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jesper2913
Posts: 260
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2019 5:15 pm

by jesper2913

I would say the answer is, it depends. Just like everywhere else they make good stuff and bad stuff.

I have never had problems with mine though. And I even put them in stems and seatpost clamps. And I'm a big guy pushing a fair amount of watts in sprints. But if we're talking for bottle cage and other non essential stuff, just go ahead.

pushpush
Posts: 322
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:10 am

by pushpush

The REAL question is this: When you buy more expensive bolts from somewhere else, where are they getting them from, and at what cost?

Unless you truly know how a part was manufactured, you have no idea, and it is a gamble.

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TwiggyTN
Posts: 439
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:16 am

by TwiggyTN

No, they are not.

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claus
Posts: 401
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:04 pm

by claus

So how can a buyer ensure to get "safe" (Ti) parts?
I ordered several (long) Ti brake nuts from an ebay seller in the UK and "hope" they are OK.

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Juanmoretime
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Posts: 294
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2004 11:08 am

by Juanmoretime

Only once did I have a problem with titanium bolts and that was because I snapped 4 holding my handlebars in a high speed MTB crash. I've bought US sourced and Chinese via Ebay. Not sure any bolt no matter what it was made of would survive that crash. I know my body took a beating.

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eucalyptus
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2020 3:51 am
Location: Sweden

by eucalyptus

I have bought lots of Ti bolts from Aliexpress. Mostly RISK but also some Wanyifa and some other brands.

No issues. I use them everywhere for everything. The only complaint I have is that I found one brand, only one brand that could deliver purple Ti bolts.

They were not purple... Like weak ass pink instead.

I also bought more expensive Ti bolts from Ûberbike components UK, sure they are amazing. But I do know they buy them in bulk of thousands.... From where I do not know, but my 99,9% gut feeling say they are also from China cause when I have been looking for green bolts I have found some that are extremely similar.

Just make sure you buy branded bolts and not from some "outdoor funny adult toy supplier" selling 10x Ti bolts for $4 dollar.

fatpinarellorider
Posts: 235
Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2023 5:30 am

by fatpinarellorider

Risk is good quality. :thumbup:

kode54
Posts: 3755
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:39 pm

by kode54

I bought some hollow RISK Ti bolts. Nice quality and no issues. Also, Wanyifa from Aliexpress and Amazon. No issues so far.
- Factor Ostro VAM Disc
- Factor LS Disc
- Specialized Aethos Disc
- Sturdy Ti Allroad Disc
- Guru Praemio R Disc

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MrCurrieinahurry
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Location: London

by MrCurrieinahurry

Been said a million times but why the heck did they call their bolt company RISK

Basso Diamante rim Campagnolo EPS 12 Bora WTO 60's

Formerly known as Curryinahurry

UpFromOne
Posts: 1186
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Olympic Nat'l Park, WA

by UpFromOne

Plus the anodizing on said cheap bolts sucks. Always a very light hue and not a deep penetrated color.

Alfus
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Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:34 pm

by Alfus

TwiggyTN wrote:
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:04 am
No, they are not.

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Why?

Alfus
Posts: 462
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:34 pm

by Alfus

UpFromOne wrote:
Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:34 am
Plus the anodizing on said cheap bolts sucks. Always a very light hue and not a deep penetrated color.
Anodizing is not a safety concern...

by Weenie


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wheelbuilder
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by wheelbuilder

Alfus wrote:
UpFromOne wrote:
Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:34 am
Plus the anodizing on said cheap bolts sucks. Always a very light hue and not a deep penetrated color.
Anodizing is not a safety concern...
Thus the word "plus"
Never cheer before you know who is winning

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