Robert,
I wouldn't recommend using the aluminum bolt. The wedge is probably OK.
At most you might save a few grams weight but you're replacing a critical component on your bike with one that has less than half the the strength. Assuming that the bolt is made of a high strength aluminum alloy that's been properly heat threated, it's never going to have the strength of a Cinelli hardened steel expander bolt.
Aluminum stretches a lot more than alloy steel and the point of failure is a lot lower than for steel.
Some might say that once the wedge has expanded the base of the quill inside the steering tube the expander bolt has done it's job. But think of how much stress and vibration is transmitted through the stem. It may eventually work loose or fail unexpectedly.
Those things are for world record attempts on a smooth track surface not casual TTs!
One less beer or cookie or whatever will benefit you far more than the few grams weight savings from an alloy stem bolt.
I quit weighing my bikes years ago. If I know how much a bike weighs then that will be on my mind on every hill I climb. I just ride them.
In the mid 70s I got carried away with all the weight weenie crap and got my steel framed bike down to under 19 Lbs. using HiE wheels, 250g sewups, Huret Jubilee derailleurs and all of the alloy bolts I could get for my components.
I rode 1 TT on that bike and immediately switched every thing back to more reliable components! Yes, I broke 60 min for 25 miles but I attribute that to a strong tail wind on the return leg.
Aside from light weight wheels, hill climbing is about the only place where weight savings matter.
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
Charlotte Bronte wrote:
> Looking for advice about this weight saving part. I acquired both an alloy bolt and wedge for a Cinelli 1A stem, and am wondering if anyone has had problems with this setup. I am considering this mod for a TT bike I'm building up.
>
> Any advice welcome.
>
> Robert Aguirre
> Windsor, ON