Replacement screws and bolts

alcyst

I have to acquire an M5 screw (for my mudguard attachment). Because it is a mudguard screw this will will get a while load of gunk off the road.

I know I can pick up a selection of lengths in Woodies. Any alternative recommendations? Are there different qualities of stainless? Something like titanium will be expensive, and pointless for the weight saving, but if I buy a bag of 20 the cost per unit may be low, the cost of the 1 I want will be high.

Any thoughts?

Nobody replying, but I stumbled on this;
http://www.torontocycles.com/Selling/Titanium_Bolts.html

and

http://www.cyclespeed.com.au/c/121069/1/ti-bolts.html

There is some real stuff out there.

doozerie

Interesting links. I see that you can buy direct from their source in the UK though, which might prove cheaper.

seamus

If you're going buying plain bolts from the likes of woodies, just make sure you get stainless steel ones. Plain steel bolts will rust and seize quicker than a pair of underpants.

Capt'n Midnight

for those who didn't follow the link If getting bolts get allen key ones, lighter tools

tucks fasteners do a wide selection of them http://tucksfasteners.ie/home/index.php

if getting nuts get nylock ones - they are a little heavier but the nylon insert means they won't ever rattle loose, handy for stuff like mudguards and carriers where you want to fix and forget

speaking of nylon radionics / franell do a range of nylon nuts and bolts, they are much weaker than steel but might be practicable for holding on waterbottles and lights ( might have problems with dynamos though )

dquirke1

If you want to save weight, you really need to go for carbon
http://www.schmolke-carbon-titan.de/carbon/carbon_uk/schraub.php
You know you want to.

pprendeville

also try ted.ie (Ballymount Ind Pk) and allmetalfasteners.com (Finglas). They'll post out to you.

alcyst

A few people (Decwells, McQuillans, Cap't) pointed to Tucks, thanks. The DIY shops do stock M5s, but getting someone to confirm they are stainless steel isn't straightforward. A cold winter will see salt added to the road gunk.

But how can I resist those carbon ones, gasp. Schmolke do a lot of bike gear, incl carbonseat posts for €400. New name to me.

el Bastardo

Going on recollection, there's even a variety of stainless steel available and believe or not, some do actually rust/tarnish over time. However, for most purposes some bog-standard stainless bolts will do. Don't worry too much about salt and what not. Just keep the bike clean - Problem solved.

Capt'n Midnight

there are different grades of stainless steel, the more corrosion resistant ones have twice as much chrome as the cheaper grades

alcyst

Aye cap'tan, it's not the sort of thing that appears on the description! I bought some stuff on-line, turned out dome head screws have a very large head and too large for some uses.