Bicycle Mechanics - Aluminum Quick-Releases

I picked a set of Allen Key Aluminium quick-releases cheap on ebay. I decided for the odd times I leave it parked anywhere other than work they would probably be enough of a problem for a casual thief to pinch the wheel/saddle of someone elses bike, whilst saving me from lugging a cable round as well as the heavy weight U-lock. The ends are red-anodized aluminium so I think the term is they look a bit 'pimpy' but it might be 'pimply'...
The skewers themselves are 6061 'aircraft grade' aluminium.

The only thing is are they going to be strong enough? I've rode forty odd miles on the so far without a problem, but is aluminium strong enough for skewers in the medium term? I don't do drops off more than a three inch kerb, and the closest I come to jumping is taking sleeping policemen at speed :)

As the back wheel takes most of the weight, would I be better off keeping that as a steel skewer?

Am I worrying unneccessairily? (sorry mental spell-checker taking a holiday)


Richard

Yes. ;)

But I suppose that is actually determined by the level of crime in your area.

However - if they use allens, and almost all bikers carry allens on their bikes for on-the-road repairs, how much of a deterrent is that going to be in any case?

Cheers...Gary

Hopefully, your new skewers are aluminium end pieces on a steel rod. Al is widely used on higher end skewers and is reliable in that role.
Allen key ones will prevent casual tampering, but not serious professional theft. You can get security key skewers which take imperial sized allen keys or assymetrical keys. I cant remember who makes them.
Personally I use a sold axle and track nuts in the rear, to prevent wheel theft, and a qr on the front. I Ulock the front wheel to the frame and railing and thats it. Removing your wheel every time you lock the bike is so tiresome that quick releases are more of an inconvenience.

Its really opportunist casual theft that's the minor concern - kids rather than professional bike thieves, fortunately the crime rate is fairly low round here. I lock the rear wheel with the frame so that's not a problem, and if I park it up after dark anywhere other than immediately outside the supermarket, I lock the front wheel with the back. If I'm just popping into town for a few minutes I find removing the front wheel a pain. My theory is that if the thief is carrying an allen key set they can pretty much strip a bike of parts anyway...

Richard

I agree that at least the QR shaft should be steel. In the early 1970s, Hi-E had to recall all of their aluminum front wheel QR skewers because of safety concerns. [Scary thought -- I actually used one for a few weeks, myself.]

Hey Richard, thanks for bringing these up. I'd not heard of them before, and they're just what I needed!

Course, I only needed a rear one and could only buy a complete set, but I guess it never hurts to have a spare... :rolleyes:

Ellie

Originally posted by John E
I agree that at least the QR shaft should be steel. In the early 1970s, Hi-E had to recall all of their aluminum front wheel QR skewers because of safety concerns. [Scary thought -- I actually used one for a few weeks, myself.]

I may have misread the packaging - it's probably just the bolts that are aluminium, I suppose it's a case of getting the magnet out again :)

Richard

T6061 is pretty strong stuff. I wouldn't panic if that's what it is made of.

Nothing can stop a determined thief. The goal is to make them think something else is easier to steal and leave yours alone or if that fails to slow them down so they are still there when you get back and can mess up thier palns - maybe their body too.:crash:

The best defense against theft is to ride a beater bike that you can afford (emotionally and financially) to lose, wherever security is an issue.