Mountain Biking - Switching To QR20

Ok, so i'm in the market for a new fork, but all the nice long travel forks have QR20 axles. If i'm switching over from standard QR, what needs to be done to make the switch to QR20? do i need to rebuild the whole wheel!?

Yes...it will require a rebuild onto a new hub. Look at formula...cheap but they do the job.

When buying a fork,there are two types of 20mm axels I believe.

qr20 and thur-axel?

the qr20,is a quick release system while the thru-axel is bolted on.

and some fork may not come with a 20mm axel, so you may have to spend a bit more for one.

YEah sorry. Most qr20 hubs require you buy the axle seperately...and if you are getting the Z1 fr it now has an option for a standard 20mm axle so make sure you know which fork you are getting.

Would i have to bring my wheel to the LBS to get the hub built on, or could i do it from home?

You can try to build a wheel...you need a stand...personally I don't do wheels. Too much patience :)

Building a wheel takes a lot of patience and practice. Building one up the first time to use mountain biking and most likely abusive riding is something I don't recommend.

Go dumpster diving and find a 20" wheel that is relatively straight. Tear it down and build it back up. If you end up with a straight wheel then move up to a beater 26" wheel (bigger wheels are harder to true). Then do it again. At least 3 times.

Oh yeah, fronts are MUCH easier than back wheels. Back wheels have to be properly dished, and that's harder to do for a beginner.

L8R

Speaking of this, i noticed Jr Ts come with QR20 and standard QR. Does this make any difference in fork rigidity or performance?

Speaking of this, i noticed Jr Ts come with QR20 and standard QR. Does this make any difference in fork rigidity or performance?

Yes. It gives you a stiffer fork laterally, less twisting. It will also handle the pressure from disc brakes and hard hits better. If you get a JrT and use it for it's intended purpose then you should go with the qr20.

:beer:

Because the axel is thicker, more force is needed to 'twist' the fork. This is why all top level DH forks have 20mm axels.

You even get dirt jump forks, like the Marz Dirt Jumper's, that come with 20mm axels, this is to add more ridgity to it. They need lateral stiffness when it comes to whipping and 360's, otherwise they would twist underneath the excessive force.

Ok I Was Wondering If I Could Use A Qr20 Thru Axel Quando Front Hub With My 04' Rock Shox Team Sid Fork? Any Help Is Apprecciated. Thanks

No.

Is there any significant difference in stiffness/performance between QR20 and thru-axles? The thru-axle design looks like a pain to live with; I need to take my front wheel off on a regular basis.

Some claim there is. I have used both a 20mm TA, qr 20, qr20plus and the 20mm hex system manitou has. I can't tell the difference.