Summary for titanium cassette cleaning Discussion
Titanium cassette cleaning is the focus keyphrase here: Suzy Coldwater asked whether soaking a mountain bike titanium cassette in baking soda and vinegar to remove mud, dirt, and grease could harm it. The cassette looked nearly new afterward, but the answer from John Mckconbak warned that the treatment is bad for titanium, saying it will erode the metal and could eventually cause the cassette to fail; he called it very harmful. He then suggested soaking it in sulfuric acid for a week, though that advice appears sarcastic and should not be taken as a practical cleaning recommendation. The thread does not provide a safer alternative method, but it clearly indicates that the baking soda/vinegar approach is not recommended for titanium parts.
Q. For my mountain bike, I am using a Titanium cassette. After every heavy ride, mud/dirt & grease forms on the cassette. If I do not clean the cassette right away, the dirt sticks on Titanium which later on makes it very difficult to clean. I was in that condition lately; so I decided to put the cassette in a clean plate; then covered the entire cassette with
baking soda [in bulk on
or
Amazon [affil link]
and next I poured in vinegar
⇦ in bulk on
or
Amazon [affil link] . I left it alone for 5 minutes and then rinsed it in water and the cassette looked almost like the day I purchased ir. Is this bad for Titanium?
Suzy Coldwater
bike shop – Florida
2006
A. Yes it is. it will erode the titanium and then whatever the cassette is holding up/together will break. VERY HARMFUL. Just soak it in sulfuric acid for a week or so. All dirt will be gone-no harm done.
John Mckconbak
– Young America, Minnesota, USA
2006
A. What percentage/strength sulfuric acid are you suggesting, John, and why would you think that sulfuric acid would be less aggressive than vinegar or baking soda? Thanks.
I could be in error, but I believe that only some of the parts (like the larger sprockets) are titanium, and other elements may be anodized aluminum or alloy steel — so it’s tricky to suggest immersing in anything strong.
But solvents (like carburetor cleaner), unlike acids, probably won’t harm metal.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
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2006