I used aftermarket alloy bolts in a couple off topic Shimano rear derailleurs. I never had any problems with them. My understanding is the reason they were sold (it was the reason I bought them anyway) was so the bolt would fail if the derailleur ever jammed instead of breaking the derailleur hanger off.
I went through a particularly unlucky couple years where I would be riding along, my tire would kick up a little green twig that would get caught up in my rear derailleur causing it turn around with the wheel, snap. It happened to me three times in two years! The last time was with an alloy bolt in there and the derailleur hanger was bent, but not broken. This was about ten years ago, I'd been riding for about fifteen years at the time. It hasn't happened to me before or since, but I'm especially careful if I see twigs in the road.
-Eric
Eric Goforth Durham, NC USA
Kurt Sperry wrote:
> Cool. I can't recall hearing stories of aftermarket Al or original
> Campy Al
> RD bolts being in the least problematic so they are probably just fine as
> everyday users. I rode an Arnold Industries tuned Nuovo for quite awhile
> and never gave it a second thought.
>
> Kurt Sperry
> Bellingham WA
> USA
>
>
> On 5/21/07, Steve Kurt <kurtsj@mtco.com> wrote:
>>
>> hi gang,
>>
>> The talk about drillium being the theme for the Cirque reminded me that
>> I have a spare set of alloy bolts for sale. These are a set of aluminum
>> pivot bolts for the standard Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur.
>> They were built by a machinist buddy who was also a bike freak. Now
>> there's a dangerous combination! :-)
>>
>> I've fit one set into a derailleur just for show-and-tell, but don't
>> have the nerve to actually ride it. I'm too fond of reliable hardware.
>> But if someone had a bike that they were giving the full drillium
>> treatment, then these would be a fine addition! Lighter than titanium!
>>
>> I've got some pics if anyone is curious:
>> http://tinypic.com/
>> http://tinypic.com/
>>
>> Anyway, if you think that this would be the perfect item for your wall
>> hanger bike (or rarely ridden bike), then send me $25 and it's yours.
>> They ought to be enjoyed by someone instead of getting dusty in a parts
>> box.
>>
>> enjoy,
>> Steve Kurt
>> Peoria, IL, USA