General Cycling Discussion - Get rid of Quick Release? Easy swap?

Hi. I want to get rid of the quick release on my wheels since I'm heading off to school and I don't want to have to run a cable through my tires during the day. I will run the cable during the evening and night, but it will take up too much time when I'm heading to class. So how easy is it to make the swap from quick release to regular nuts or another alternative?

You might be better off in the Bicycle Mechanics Forum. (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/10-Bicycle-Mechanics) As far as I am aware, it varies depending on the type of hub, and may not be possible at all with some hubs. But in principle it should be easy, you just need a new axle, nuts and washers. Your LBS should be able to advise you.

With loose bearing hubs, you'll need to swap out the axle for a solid one. Might be easy to find, might not.
With sealed bearing hubs, probably can't be done.
You could buy some cheep wheels, and use them and keep your qr wheels in the closet.

It's probably cheaper and easier to get locking skewers or security skewers for about $25 at Amazon.

You need a good U lock and that cable , they do take bikes
from the campus bike racks.
any time , so the quick stop may be a walk home..

(ex U of O Student, and former Eugene Resident)

the University student union, outdoor program, likely still have a bike repair program
to use as a student, and CAT, The Center for Alternative Transport
near Skinners Butte park,
has a membership or hourly bike repair co-op, eugene bike works
they will show you how to do the axle swap, hands on.

Unless you're a racer with a car following you stocked with extra wheelsets, quick-release skewers are not your friend. The first thing I do with any bike that's going to be locked anywhere is replace the quick-release skewers with either a bolt-on or locking skewer.

Nashbar Bolt-On Skewers (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_174839_-1_201521_10000_200449) are inexpensive and at least makes a thief find a 5mm. $15 per set regular price, $10 when on sale. I use them on my bikes that will only be locked for a few minutes while I run errands.
Delta Hublox (http://www.deltacycle.com/Hublox-Security-Skewers) use a special wrench you can keep on your keyring. $30 list price. Downside: All sets use the same wrench.
Pinhead Skewers (http://www.pinheadcomponents.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=56&lang=en) also have a special wrench for your keyring, and have the same downside as the Deltas. Upside: They also make locking seatpost bolts and headset caps. In addition to selling under their own brand, they private-label for others. On-Guard and Trek locking skewers are made by Pinhead. Prices vary by set and brand.
Pitlocks (http://www.pitlock.com/) have 256 different special wrenches (which they call pits). Sets are available keyed-alike (special-order). They also make locking seatpost bolts, headset caps, V-brake bolts and disk-brake bolts. (I have three sets that use the same key and include skewers, seatpost bolt and headset cap.) Available in the US at Peter White Cycles (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pitlock.asp) and the US & Canada at Urban Bike Tech (http://www.urbanbiketech.com/). You'll need to visit your local hardware store to buy a Clevis Pin ($1.19 at my local ServiceStar) to carry the "pit" key on your keyring.

Tightening: For each of the above, using the wrench or pit, I tighten finger tight first. Then, I tighten one full turn or until it creaks, whichever comes first.

Does it really take that much time to run a cable thru the tires? Correct if I'm wrong, but it seems to me the whole process takes less than 30 seconds. I've never actually timed myself, but it sure seems like a quick process to me.

Assuming your bike is new-ish.. skewers take about a minute to change out.

You need a good U lock and that cable , they do take bikes
from the campus bike racks.
any time , so the quick stop may be a walk home..

(ex U of O Student, and former Eugene Resident)

the University student union, outdoor program, likely still have a bike repair program
to use as a student, and CAT, The Center for Alternative Transport
near Skinners Butte park,
has a membership or hourly bike repair co-op, eugene bike works
they will show you how to do the axle swap, hands on.

I bought the best U Lock I could. The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit. Do you think if I have locking skewers that it will be necessary to run the cable through my tires during the day on campus?

Get a light weight cable lock to secure the front wheel to the bike. Then use a compact u-lock to lock the back wheel to the bike rack / sign post. Here is a great read describing this method.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/locktechnique1.jpg

I bought the best U Lock I could. The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit. Do you think if I have locking skewers that it will be necessary to run the cable through my tires during the day on campus?

It wouldn't be necessary IMO. I had pit-locks on my old bike and trusted it completely. Never had an issue in L.A. I only u-locked the frame.

Just remember, swapping your front axle to a solid one with nuts isn't terribly secure, thieves have wrenches too!

Yes, I learned a lot in this thread. I'm a bike noob. Didn't know about locking skewers. Anyhow, I ordered a set of pit locks for my headset and wheels. I will take my seat with me. Probably lock up with my cable too, but it's nice to know that I have a backup. I feel secure. Especially with my Fahgettaboudit u lock.