Bicycle Mechanics - QR axle/hub on horizontal dropouts, tension issues?

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veganboyjosh
05-25-08, 11:39 AM
I've been running a nutted axle on my rear wheel, since that's all I had access to, and didn't want to spend any money to upgrade to a QR axle.
I recently came into a wheel that's got a QR axle on it, but when I installed it, I found that no matter how tight I made the skewer, the wheel would still walk around in the dropouts. A friend of mine saw the new (QR) setup and asked if I was having tension issues, since whenever he tried to install QR's on horizontal dropouts, he had similar issues.
To be honest, I didn't notice the looseness until he pointed it out.

I'm back to nutted axles until I figure this out...

I looked around on Sheldon's site, but couldn't find specific enough info. I'm sure if it's anywhere, it's there, but does anyone know of a reason why QR skewers shouldn't tighten down sufficiently on horizontal dropouts? Why not?

Thanks!

josh.

roadfix
05-25-08, 11:49 AM
First, make sure the axle ends do not protrude out of the drop outs. If they do, that restricts the closure of the QR.
Is this a fixed wheel hub with a hollow threaded axle?
veganboyjosh
05-25-08, 05:23 PM
it's not fixed.

i haven't checked the protruded-ness of the axle itself, i'll check it out. dunno why i didn't think of that.

roadfix
05-25-08, 05:30 PM
Well, in that case, the skewer itself can be defective or or worn. Have you tried another skewer?
veganboyjosh
05-25-08, 06:26 PM
i have. same problem.

my friend's comment is what led me to post this, more than anything. he seemed to think it was a pretty common issue.

i'm guessing since i'm not getting a super overwhelming response of "oh yeah, you wanna avoid that." posts, that it's just the combination of my skewer/hub...and that it's normal to see QR wheels on horizontal dropouts...

thanks, tho.
Ex Pres
05-25-08, 06:58 PM
You need an internal cam q/r (old Shimanos are great). bet your new wheel has an external cam q/r.
veganboyjosh
05-25-08, 07:59 PM
no, it's actually an internal cam. this is all old parts and bikes i'm talking about here.

i did find that page on sheldon's site, where he talked about the difference between internal and external, and how the external ones don't really work on horizontal dropouts.
peabodypride
05-25-08, 08:02 PM
I had the same problem with an old HED disc. Locking allen skewers plus bmx chain tensioners.