Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Is it possible to use a hollow QR axle with bolts?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Is it possible to use a hollow QR axle with bolts?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-19-10, 08:32 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Is it possible to use a hollow QR axle with bolts?

Hi,

I just moved my rear fixed wheel from 126 spacing to 122 as well as changing the chainline. I consequently cut off a portion of the hollow axle that I was using on the wheel with a QR skewer.

I know some object to using QR fixed whatsoever but that aside:

I would've thought it was possible that instead of cutting it down to just thread a bolt on either side and secure it that way?

In this case there was not enough thread protruding past the dropouts for the bolts to get enough purchase on, but if there were more would it have been possible?

Thanks for any replies or particularly experiences with this setup.

Cheers,
George
georgegeorge is offline  
Old 09-19-10, 08:44 AM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,355 Times in 862 Posts
as a front axle perhaps, still too short for nuts as a rear
fietsbob is offline  
Old 09-19-10, 08:50 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Even the longest commonly available qr axles (146 mm used with 135 mm OLD hubs) used in a 120 mm OLD hub would be have ineadequate stubs sticking out past the dropout faces for nuts. 146-120 gives 27 mm total excess or 13 mm per side. Allowing for a typical 6 mm dropout thickness only leaves 7 mm past the dropout face or just over 1/4". Not enough.

Even a 151 mm axle intended for a 140 mm tandem hub would only leave a stub of 9.5 mm or about 3/8".

I suppose you could try to locate a 171 mm axle from a 160 mm OLD Santana tandem hub but at some point the cost gets to be far more than buying a proper solid nutted axle.

BTW, use an enclosed cam qr skewer like a Shimano or Campy and be sure it has serrated steel inner faces and you should have no problems with wheel slippage.
HillRider is offline  
Old 09-19-10, 09:19 AM
  #4  
John Wayne Toilet Paper
 
nhluhr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 1,952

Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by georgegeorge
Hi,

I just moved my rear fixed wheel from 126 spacing to 122 as well as changing the chainline. I consequently cut off a portion of the hollow axle that I was using on the wheel with a QR skewer.

I know some object to using QR fixed whatsoever but that aside:

I would've thought it was possible that instead of cutting it down to just thread a bolt on either side and secure it that way?

In this case there was not enough thread protruding past the dropouts for the bolts to get enough purchase on, but if there were more would it have been possible?

Thanks for any replies or particularly experiences with this setup.

Cheers,
George
The best option is to just swap the axle for a longer solid one. But lets do the math here. You only created an additional 4mm of axle length. Since a typical QR axle doesn't protrude past the dropouts at all, and 2mm isn't enough to thread anything onto, no, you could never have made that work. That's why you need the axle swapped... it needs to be significantly longer to get nuts on.
nhluhr is offline  
Old 09-19-10, 09:28 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Retro Grouch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times in 364 Posts
If you decide to substitute a threaded axle, make sure to get one that has the same thread pitch as your cones and locknuts.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Old 09-20-10, 04:33 AM
  #6  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for all the replies.
Yeah, I was aware it's not possible with this setup but I could possibly use it in future.

Cheers
georgegeorge is offline  
Old 09-20-10, 06:49 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Originally Posted by georgegeorge
Thanks for all the replies.
Yeah, I was aware it's not possible with this setup but I could possibly use it in future.

Cheers
Why would you want to?
HillRider is offline  
Old 09-20-10, 09:03 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,820
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 133 Times in 91 Posts
I would never do this. A hollow axle is much weaker than a solid one. When you tighten nuts on an axle it leaves a twisting force on the axle which makes it susceptible to breaking. A hollow axle would be much more likely to fail.
__________________
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace

1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
San Rensho is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fitzer
Classic & Vintage
6
08-10-17 10:13 PM
okane
Bicycle Mechanics
10
05-10-16 09:59 PM
Enk1du
Bicycle Mechanics
19
12-24-15 12:40 AM
trek330
Bicycle Mechanics
5
08-30-11 10:30 PM
trek330
Bicycle Mechanics
5
04-05-11 06:05 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.