RE: [CR]Help ! Titanium-cage TA pedal conundrum

(Example: Framebuilding:Norris Lockley)

From: "Mark Bulgier" <mark@bulgier.net>
To: 'Mario Girasa' <oldbike8538@juno.com>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Help ! Titanium-cage TA pedal conundrum
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 10:10:41 -0700


Mario Girasa wrote:
> These cages are insanely light. Would Titanium be heavier than
> aluminum in the same shape and size ? (aka, which has higher
> density ?)

Al is lower density than Ti, i.e. lighter than Ti for the same shape of part. I kinda doubt you could tell by hefting it which it is though.

I think I can tell by eye whether it is Al or Ti, as their anodized finishes look different, but it would be nigh impossible to describe in an e-mail. Also some manufacturers have come up with finishes designed to fool the eye, especially to make other metals appear to be Ti.

I think scratching through the coating is your best bet. Maybe inside the countersink where the bolt head goes, so it doesn't show when the pedal is assembled. Don't use your best knife, unless you don't mind sharpening it after - the anodizing is hard and abrasive and can dull a steel blade. I'd use something kinda hard but expendable, like a hacksaw blade or drill bit.

Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA