Re: All Ti'd up

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-03-24 23:41:38 EST, you write:

<< But if I were using these on a race car, as stated, that 5 lbs per
 corner _is_ significant(remember ounces count when you are trying to get
 the minimum weight for a class), whereas on the street car you might
 best get Fuch's wheels, which go for at least 8 bills per set the last
 time I saw it quoted, and are not that much lighter.  My dollars per
 pound of weight savings would go elsewhere rather than either of these
 ideas.
>>>>>>  Randall, I encourage you to weigh the fuchs, very en-lightening.  A
buddy just picked up a set for 400USD from QQ last week.  If you are running
15's these deserve all the attention before the Ti concept.
 > 
 > I would think that choosing a lightweight wheel could easily make up that
 > difference.  Or even a swap to a coil over with 2.5" ERS springs could
reduce
 > the "differential" significantly.  Assigning dollars to unsprung weight
(B4B)
 > on a q might be tough and pricey vs performance.  For argument sake, let's
 > say a spring set averages 350USD, obviously some higher.  For Ti, maybe
 > double (or more?)that.  I rest my argument by proposing one should already
 > have the Fuchs wheels installed, the reduction in unsprung weight B4B is
 > pretty high, I would venture, higher than Ti springs.
 > 
 > Sometimes what is NOT said raises more questions.
 Speaking of questions, Scott, if you were racing a car at 10 10ths in a
 race, a long race, what would hold up the best?  Which would be less
 likely to fail and save you weight? And before pneumatic valves were
 developed in F1, what type of spring was used? Titanium.  
>>>>>  OK.  For the nth weight savings you have a point.  The properties of
Ti, like brittleness, might make me think twice about it, unless I was
tearing down a car after every weekend.  Hardly practical for any of the
"racers" on this list.    F1 translates nowhere into street or even any type
of "budget" racing.  10/10ths in a long race, unlimited budget, you got it.
 "hold up best", not sure I buy into that one.
 
 By the way, dentistry, especially orthodontics uses a significant amount
 of titanium.  Titanium springs used in orthodontics are not "coveted"
 for their light weight(which is irrelevant), but rather their superior
 force characteristics over stainless steel springs.  FYI
 >  >>
Interesting that one.  And sounds like an expensive mouth.  I have Ti all
over my bicycles, for weight and strength, but the argument against my beer
drinking would be cheaper and a higher return on investment (more beer money
AND less weight).
Sure wish someone would post up a cost of spring vs steel.  Might make this
whole thread a no brainer.

Thanks for the post

Scott