skom25

Hi,

I have Garmin Edge Forward Mount. There is M3 bolt in clamp, so quite small diameter. I want to use Aluminium bolt as in other places on bike, but I am no sure if it is good idea. I am worried that it will snap.

Any experience with such small Aluminium bolts in similar places? Previously I had Lezyne mount with M4 bolt and it worked fine. I use M5 on bottle cages and it also works without issues for years.

I wrote to ProBolt, but they respond only that aluminium bolts should not be used in places which carry load. From my perspective it is hard to say if that mount carries load, especially that it is not mounted directly on handlebar. There is rubber band around.

I will mount very light Garmin Edge 130+.

Chuck M 

I would expect it would be ok but I don't see the advantage to replacing the screw.

skom25

There is one. Look

Iride01 

Aluminum bolt? Maybe you mean titanium. I see no advantage to aluminum bolts. You'll have to tell us what that is for you.

skom25

Aluminium.

Colour, nothing more.

Titanium is much more expensive and hard to find in that size.
​​

Iride01 

How 'bout a sharpie in the color of your choice and a stainless bolt?


https://www.officesupply.com/office-...RoCKV0QAvD_BwE

skom25

Sorry, please do not comment if you do not know the answer.

​​​​​

Iride01 

Alternative solutions aren't valid answers?

biker128pedal

You can try but look up the specified torque for the aluminum fastener. I don’t have time right now. Torque it right then see if it will prevent the mount from slipping. I have tried aluminum but not on a Garmin out front mount and broke the bolt while trying to keep it from slipping.

Oh if it does work it will brake the first fall.

Really not worth it for weight savings.

gpburdell

As for sourcing the bolts, check Grainger or McMaster-Carr or Fastenal.

I believe torque values for aluminum fasteners are much less than for steel or stainless steel. So you may not be able to get the mount secure enough to stay put before the aluminum bolt strips or breaks - and that could also later occur with a good bump/jolt. So if you choose to try this, I'd recommend a tether to the Edge device.

(also I'm unsure just what look an aluminum fastener would give you that stainless wouldn't?)

Bald Paul

Evidently not!

Iride01 

Though I took it that coloring a bolt with a sharpie was what set the OP off. And I've colored bolts with sharpies way more times than I have fingers and toes.

Of course if the OP is wanting to buy in quantities of around 10,000 pieces, I could get some aluminum bolts and have them anodized or finished in the color of their choice from local businesses around here.

Chuck M 

For what it is worth, my Garmin is on a Blendr mount. But I did come across the out front mount that came with it this morning and looking at it, I can't see why the OP even is worried about the color of the screw.

skom25

That is good, I like it

I have aluminium bolts in size and colour I want. You said that it probably will not work, my opinion is similar, so I will not use them. It is only matter of colour match to few others which I have on bike, nothing more.

I used stainless.

gpburdell

FWIW - if it's a matter of color, it appears this company offers colored stainless steel hardware.

https://www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk/sockets-899-c.asp