Earl Grey

Several companies make stainless hex wrenches which are supposed to reduce contamination / corrosion when using stainless fasteners.

Does anyone know if this is a significant effect in bike applications?

Zef

The idea behind stainless fasteners is their resistance to oxidation/corrosion. Unless you plan on permanently attaching a hex wrench or other tool to any of your stainless steel fasteners there is no need to worry about the tool causing the onset of corrosion.

With the notion of contamination....this is important when dealing with chemicals. Ferrous material can cause unwanted reactions such as explosions when used in environments where high concentrations of O2 are used.

There is nothing so sensitive about a bicycle that non-stainless tools will cause any issues.

But if you want to empty your wallet for no particular reason then go ahead and buy stainless steel tools.

-j

dsbrantjr

Free iron contamination can be a factor in very sensitive applications but is basically irrelevant in bicycle service. The only possible issue is cosmetic, as the free iron can rust, similar to what happens if you clean an aluminum rim with steel wool; iron particles can become embedded and cause rust stains. This risk would not convince me to invest in stainless tools but YMMV. Also, you would need to avoid using your stainless tools on non-stainless items lest it pick up contamination and transfer it to the stainless surfaces.

BTW, "stainless" steel is not truly stainless/rustproof but is properly referred to as "corrosion resistant"; under certain conditions some alloys can rust, especially if improperly passivated.

Here is a discussion: Iron Residue / Contamination on Stainless Steel Surfaces

gauvins

I see no reason to purchase stainless tools for the benefit of the fasteners. I do, however, think that it is worth considering on (extended) tours, where tools may suffer from corrosion

Earl Grey

Thanks for the comments and link.

Yeah, it's really the cosmetic issue that I thought it might help with. The inside of even stainless hex heads seem to wind up rusting a little (I usually give them a dab of T-9, and it isn't totally effective).

I may buy a single 4mm and then do a controlled test on my fender mounts. If it doesn't help any, I have a spare 4mm hex wrench.

Interesting point about touring, and tools that actually leave the garage.

nfmisso

A mild acid (oxalic, vinegar, lemon juice, coca cola, etc), followed by flushing with water, then the T-9 would be far more effective than T-9. The T-9 has nothing in it to passivate the surface.

pdlamb

Good point. It'd be nice to get a stainless multi-tool for commuting as well, since sometimes it rains. But the "stainless" tools I've seen all wind up being stainless frames or such, and the hex wrenches, etc. are all carbon steel.

rmfnla

I nominate for OCD post of the month...

Rowan

You could try clear fingernail polish especially on bolts that aren't likely to be undone again for a while.

Stainless tools are aimed at the boatie market. I can guarantee you will pay two, three even five times the price of a normal similar tool.

I have toured extensively in wettish climates. The little crescent wrench I have has done many thousands of miles. It gets rusty occasionally, but not so it's unusable. If getting tools wet is an issue on tour, use a small dry bag to pack them; when I used one, it used to hang from the rails of my saddle behind the seatpost.

Rowan

Just reading another thread about the back brake going on the front, and using a bench grinder on the nut... and it raises a good point about the chrome finish being removed and causing rust.

Most small fasteners on bikes have poor quality chrome plating and using a tool of any sort -- carbon steel or stainless -- would seem to disturb the plating on edges and corners, so inviting rust.

If you really want to preserve the finish, go stainless bolts. I am sure there must be a nuts-and-bolts retailer who specialises in stocking metric stainless fixings. You will pay a little more, but it sure would be cheaper than buying a stainless tool.

rmfnla

That was my post.

I look for SS (or Ti) fasteners for that exact reason.

Check these out: 10 New Tektro 10mm Brake Mounting Nut Stainless Steel Road Bike M61019 119559 BD | eBay

FastJake

If cosmetic rust is your concern I think your money would be better spent on a bag of stainless fasteners so you can throw them away when they get rusty and replace them with new ones.

ltxi

Not an issue, significant or otherwise, in any application.

pdlamb

Fastenal in the U.S. has metric stainless bolts. Call me OCD, I picked some up to replace some bottle rack bolts that were well rusted after only 15 years. Remember to ask me in another 15 years how well they worked out.

3alarmer 

.
...the great thing about stainless fasteners is you can also use them on your sailboat.

Moe Zhoost

Be cautious about using them below the waterline though.

3alarmer 

...zincs.

rmfnla

The two happiest days of my life were when I bought my sailboat and when I sold my sailboat...

3alarmer 

...word.

Moe Zhoost

I am not sure that zincs will be effective to prevent crevice corrosion of stainless steel caused by oxygen deprivation.

3alarmer 

...it's an old sailor joke.

Moe Zhoost

I'm an old sailor and didn't get it. I expect it's something like "42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything"

3alarmer 

Most of the sailboats us mortals can afford to own have glass hulls. The zincs we carried and periodically replaced on the old Sub Tender ....ah, never mind.

Moe Zhoost

My current boat is wood (as were the previous 2) SiBr fastenings. No zincs.

What sub tender? I spent some time on the Hunley and Holland when they were in Scotland.

3alarmer 

...the USS Fulton, AS-11. We left the pier in New London twice when I was aboard, and it took a while to grind the welds off the mooring chains.