Titanium Stem Bolts?

leqin wrote:

I have owned 3 stems that had titanium bolts when purchased and all three of them suffered from snapping bolts, despite that fact they were tightened to the manufacturers recomended torque.

Read the book 'Will Your Way Back' by James Osborne. For the life of me I cannot understand the reasoning that people have that they can use aluminium or titanium screws or bolts on a bike, especially in the stearing column, but if your a bike rider who doesn't mind not being able to cycle because of spinal injury carry on saving thopse few ounces in weight you could achieve by just loosing some fat.

So why do manufacturers use them? Surely Fizik would've tested these to a level that they know they're safe? I'm personally not bothered if my bolts are Ti, steel or chocolate as long as they're safe. 

leqin wrote:

wilkij1975 wrote:

Cheers for the replies. 
 

I imagined that a major manufacturer would know what they're doing and not make a product that's dangerous. 
 

Just read the '8 ways to save weight' article on the main site and they mention bolts there and say NOT to change stem bolts to Ti? 

Yeah you would think that wouldn't you - I always recall David Bernstein on The Spokesman podcast, before Carlton Read took over, saying that the most annoying thing was having to report on the long list of bicycle componants that had been recalled each month because of safety issues - things like forks that just crumpled and not just those made from carbon, because there was a fair few steel and suspension forks with major manufacturing issues and errors. Over the years David was host there was a long line of stems, seatposts, saddles, frames, wheelsets and not just small two bit names, but well known and regarded companies.

James Osbornes book is about living his life as a paraplegic simply because his handlebars broke away from the rest of his bike when he was going downhill at speed.

There are always going to be recalls for defective products. That's nothing new. I've had many in new cars over the years, some that could have potentially caused fire and possibly death. I remember seeing in the cycling press about recalls for Specialized etc. so anyone can fall foul of this. 
 

But my question still stands unanswered as to why would Ti be used if it's inherently unsafe for stem bolts as you seem to be making out? If they've caused numerous tragic accidents then surely manufacturers would learn? I've no preference for these bolts to be Ti, they just came on the stem. I didn't even notice they were Ti when I bought the stem. And saving a few grams doesn't matter to me as I weigh 110kg give or take. A good dump before I go out would help more. 
 

What was it that caused this Osborne fellas bars to fall off then? Was it Ti bolts as I can't find out?

You mentioned high tensile marine grade stainless for your bolts. What grade is it that you use as I'll have a look into getting some.