Stainless steel wheel spindle

[Vern]

Stainless weaker than high tensile steel?

Mechanic, what sort of stainless would that be then, I've used stainless for many years in many ways, and it depends on what your end use is that decides the grade of stainless that you use. I've used some stock that is basically weaker than aluminium, and some that is far stronger than any high tensile steel that you care to mention, horses for courses springs to mind!
The great bike making companiers don't use stainless because of cost, with the exception of B*w who don't use it because it is un ecological to produce (I kid you not) but it's alright to have huge cadmium plating plants plating their nuts and bolts! Think about it, Mr spotty sports bike rider is going to buy the latest plastic rocket regardless of whether it's got a stainless wheel spindle or not, so why waste money making one.
These are a mile away of getting made at the moment anyway, so there's no worry there at the moment. Product liability, that's an American phrase isn't it

 

[littleredrooster]

Vern

I think your reply was very restrained, given the implied criticism!

 

[The Mechanic]

S/S wheel spindle

Apologies to you Vern, no criticism intended more a wrong choice of words; I'll be more selective in future.
For what its worth I stand by my words about the strength of s/s against H/T. With stainless in shear as well as tension (in the case of a front wheel spindle) you would need to increase the o/d of the whole spindle to ensure a sufficient safety margin. S/S only has about 2/3 rds the strength of high tensile steel at normal temp.
The chromium added to the steel at the furnace stage (to make steel oxygen is forced througth the molten iron and thus oxidizing the impurities. Then other elements can be added to produce the steel required) its the chrome that prevents the steel oxidizing in the atmosphere but it also makes the steel more brittle. Its easy really s/s is bloody hard to cut or drill because its so hard hence more brittle.
Good luck with your mods and I hope you have alot of success, my Pan European had some s/s bits manufactured by D. Middleton; he has a factory turning out all kinds of s/s product, but not wheel spindles.

 

[Howie]

panniers

Vern

I understand you make alloy paniers

If so can you give me some info

regards

Howard Ratcliffe

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Anybody want titanium wheel spindles ?
Anybody want titanium anything ? - give me a shout

Titanium prices have come down greatly because Russia is now in the open market and has loads of the stuff.

I'd be quite happy riding around on st st wheel spindles as long as they were 304 or 316 grade.

Since when were B*W spindles High Tensile ? - i'll think you'll find they're just normal Mild Steel - and probably Hitenspeed at that ! ( added lead for hi speed production manufacture )

Phil

 

[Rob Farmer]

Phil,

How much for a titanium front wheel spindle?

Cheers

Rob

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

About £100 +/- £10 depending on material cost on the day.

wonder how much a BM ms one is ?

let me know

phil

 

[Rokraider]

So, has anyone tried one these stainless spindles or has it all fallen on its arse?

 

[Vern]

It hasn't died yet, I've just got loads of other thing going on at the moment. Keep watching this space

 

[Possu]

I've always heard that stainless spindles are to be avoided. I've heard of them snapping also, mainly rear spindles on large chain drive bikes. A fron spindle may be safer but a large pothole at speed could be nasty?

I'm not an engineer but believe that although stainless is hard, it's a little brittle and might have a low shear strength?

Any engineering types out thereable to comment?

Steve

 

[Vern]

You just summed that up nicely, you're not an engineer