Ah yes, the Aah-nold gold-anodized aluminum crank arm bolts (among others....).
I have a set on my home-built bike that's been in use for twenty (!) years with no problems. (never mind how infrequently I repack my BB). The key is not to overtighten them, while also torquing them up enough to do some good. I'd guesstimate 15 ft-lb. max. Also, a little anti-seize on the threads is a good preventative for galvanic corrosion.
I do, however, remember more than one occasion when someone came into our shop after trying to use the aluminum bolt to install a crank arm.... snap!
If anyone has any of these in 15mm in NOS condition (or the kits that had the other aluminum bolts for NR/SR), I'm looking for a set for my Raleigh that I'm getting ready for next year's Cirque!
Greg Parker A2 Michigan great riding weather recently up until this evening - 60s and sunny
In a message dated 5/14/01 3:35:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jmoos@urc.com
writes:
> Kind of makes one wonder about the alloy crank bolts which I seem to recall
> being sold at the height of lightweight mania in the late 70's/early 80's.
> I think the procedure was to tighten the cranks with regular steel bolts,
> then remove them and install the alloy ones for weight savings. Makes you
> wonder if bolts too weak to tighten the cranks were strong enough to keep
> them from loosening. And what if one had to tighten a loose crank on the
> road?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos