Quick Release Wheels--Universal?
 

Hello All,

Firstly, I apologize if this has come up before.

I recently acquired a wheelset with quick releases on both wheels. They came with a bike I found at a thrift store, and as the wheels (and tires) are in better shape than the rest of the bike I would like to put them on another frame.

Being a newbie with rear quick-release wheels, I am not sure whether is it possible to put a quick release on a frame that originally used a bolted-on rear wheel. These are 700c alloy wheels, which I thought might work on an older road bike frame that previously used 27" wheels.

Thanks in advance, and again, sorry if this information is in another thread. My search didn't find it, but I probably did not spend enough time looking.

Lindenblossom
Minneapolis

The frame generally doesn't care if the wheels are QR or solid axle. 700c rims are slightly smaller than 27", so the brake pads will need to be moved.

Quick release front wheels are normally 100mm spacing over the locknuts and should fit any front fork with that spacing. One possible difficulty is if the front fork ends are too thin not allowing the quick release to clamp down securely. Then slight shortening of the QR wheel's axle might be required.

Rear wheels with quick release wheels can vary in width over the bearing locknuts from 120mm to 135mm, 120mm to 130mm for road bikes generally speaking. Normal derailleur dropouts are generally the same whether for a bolt in wheel or a QR one so you should be able to replace a bolt on wheel with a quick release version. Same comments regarding dropout thickness apply as for the front wheel.

Replacing a 27" wheel with a 700C one will require lowering the brake pads about 4mm. If the brake calipers provide the adjustment range then there should be no problems. If not then different reach brakes may be required.

Good move on finding a donor to upgrade the wheels. There are lots of threads on swapping from 27 inch wheels to 700 cm wheels. Its really just a question about your brakes. If your brakes don't reach, there are some good recs on alternate brakes/replacements that should work for you.

If the old frame is aluminum (or carbon fiber) putting the wrong droppout sized rear in might damage the frame. If the old frame is steel (as is probably the case) any size mismatch damage is minimal but there could be unusual cog/chain clearance issues related to the frame and deraileurs and alignment issues effecting shifting.

What is the old number of rear sprockets?
What are the new number of rear sprockets?

Thanks!
 

Thank you for the replies--they are very helpful. As for details regarding the bikes' sprockets, as of yet I have not chosen a replacement bike for the wheels. I've actually just been using them with the bike they came with as a winter beater. In the near future, I may switch them to something else, keeping in mind the brake adjustment/possible replacement needed. I would also likely switch the rear multigeared freewheel to a single speed freewheel.