Bicycle Mechanics - front wheel not removable

Hello,

I'm new to bicycling. I am in a position to buy a certain bike from a friend, but I noticed that the front wheel is not removable like on some bikes. Is it possible to replace something to make it removable in the future? (Not sure about correct terminology).

Thanks!

Yes that is possible.

You'd have to replace the solid axle + nuts with a hollow axle + a quickrelease skewer.

Stop at your friendly bike store - they should have exactly what you need. If you can't change it, they will be able to do that for you, also.

All bike wheels are removable. Those with quick release skewers can be removed (ready?) quicker! Wheels with nutted axles require a wrench to remove and are, obviously, slower and less convenient.

Carry a small wrench with your repair kit. Wal-mart even has a folding wrench and tool set in the bike section.

Bikes with bolt-on axles are typically of lower quality. It may not be worth spending the money converting to quick release.

Yes that is possible.

You'd have to replace the solid axle + nuts with a hollow axle + a quickrelease skewer.

Possible, yes. Trivial, no, at least not unless you are a relatively competent mechanic. Ask a shop how much they would charge to do this or better yet see if they have a loose used wheel that they'll sell you, probably cheaper than having them swap the axle.

Carry a small wrench with your repair kit. Wal-mart even has a folding wrench and tool set in the bike section.

Bikes with bolt-on axles are typically of lower quality. It may not be worth spending the money converting to quick release.

+1 Nutted front axle is a definite sign of a bottom end bike. Converting an existing wheel to QR axle is possible, but better suited for someone that is used to wrenching on their bike. Another option is to find some used replacement wheels. But you very likely are looking at a bottom end bike, so I would either ride it as is, or look for a better bike.

Dang. Was expecting to find a bike with a front wheel not removable. A challenge. An unusual story. Something like that.... :)

^^ Lots 'n' lots 'n' lotsa rust, maybe?

Or bike was found U-locked by frame & rear wheel to bike rack with a cable through the front wheel. (Well, in that case, you could remove the front wheel, you just couldn't walk away with it...)

BTW, don't you need two wrenches to do a proper job loosening and (especially) tightening axle nuts?

I noticed that the front wheel is not removable like on some bikes. Is it possible to replace something to make it removable in the future?
Thanks!

If the front wheel is not removable then no, it cannot be replaced. ;)

If the front wheel is not removable then no, it cannot be replaced. ;)But wait, if the frame were removable from the wheel, wouldn't that do? :)

--J

But wait, if the frame were removable from the wheel, wouldn't that do? :)

--J

...my mind just EXPLODED!!!

BTW, don't you need two wrenches to do a proper job loosening and (especially) tightening axle nuts?
Can't remember ever having had to do that.

The above type of witty repartee is fun IF the OP realizes you are joking. Often on these forums someone truly unknowledgeable will ask what seems like a very naive question and the replies get funnier by the minute. That can be truly baffling to the OP since he isn't in on the joke. Cut him some slack.

^ OK, no more sending the new aircraft maintenance tech. down to stores to ask for a gallon of prop wash and 100 feet of flight line. But point taken, mod. At least the repartee started *after* there had been several serious responses that answered the OP's question as asked.

^ OK, no more sending the new aircraft maintenance tech. down to stores to ask for a gallon of prop wash and 100 feet of flight line.

LOL, I'd forgotten about those things. :)