mooder

Hello,

I need to buy 1 set of skewer to go with cheap wheels (shimano deore hub). I wonder if these could do the job:
Pair Bike Bicycle Wheel HUB Front Rear Skewers Quick Release Axle 145 185mm NEW | eBay

3$ sounds hella cheap for something that could send me to the hospital if it break.
I just need something that is not going to break but cheap enough so I don't get rob. Wheels will be locked so no need to get lock skewers.

Cheers

FBinNY 

While I'm sure you'll get lots of "external skewers suck" comments, I expect these to be fine. Of course we never know the quality, and the devil can be in the details in design and execution, but these don't have the key failing of most cheap external skewers.

They have serrated steel biting faces at both ends so should offer solid reliable grip.

In any case, skewers rarely break and the concept is inherently safe. The failing of low end skewers is that rear wheels can slip forward under chain tension if you have horizontal dropouts. This isn't an issue with vertical dropouts.

mox

They look similar to the skewers that came with my wheels. Mine seem to be good quality. I've only been using them since August, but have had no problems with them.

HillRider

I'd try a couple of LBSs to see what they have in their parts bins. Most will have a number of skewers salvaged from trashed wheels and should sell them cheap.

BTW, the ones you show are located in the Philippines. I don't see how they can sell and ship them for less than $3.

AnkleWork

Curious how you might know that from looking at an online image.
I'd be more concerned about the cam followers. Are they plastic?

AnkleWork

+1
I would only buy skewers that I have inspected in person, or a known brand and model.

dsbrantjr

Maybe some Deore skewers to go with the Deore hubs?

KDC19561954

Have you check on e bay or amazon? Most skewers don't cost that much any way or I don't even think about it if I need one or two I just order them from Amazon.That's where I get most of my Shimano part's from great price on them too.Do you need them to be 100mm and a 135mm I know you can get longer ones.But like some said here check with your LBS first they may even give to a set.Hope this helps a little.

AnkleWork

Great idea.

FBinNY 

The cam followers appear to be plastic, as is the norm on external cam skewers of this class. I drew the conclusion that the serrated faces were steel, based on having seen many skewers of this type that combine plastic and steel elements.

FWIW, While I'm very aware of slippage issues, I don't know of any reports of skewer failure in use, so I'm not worried about safety with these, and that non-worry carries to a decision to buy a pair for use on my commuter. If I should suddenly stop posting you'll know why.

mooder

Thanks for the suggestions. I will ask my LBS for salvaged skewer (I need one now, can wait for the second), and order one of these... for 3$ I am quite curious of what they are made!

gsa103

Probably fine if you don't have disc brakes. If you have disc brakes get a good internal cam skewer or you're going to have issues with the front wheel slipping.

79pmooney

Make sure the skewer is steel. That the nut is in good shape. Internal cam. (Look for the lever coming out of the side.) Shimano makes good ones at all price points. QBP (Quality Bike Parts) skewers are decent. Don't use ancient skewers, even the revered Campys. The cam design was was such that they did not have the locking feature of the new ones.

Having a front wheel come out is not fun. It will cost you the fork, the wheel and bones. Quite possibly a head injury.

Ben

RoadLight

Hi mooder,

I recently had to replace a skewer for my rear wheel (a Shimano Ultegra WH-6700). I found the exact Shimano part online at Niagara Cycle. Buying the Shimano part will cost you a lot more than your ultra-cheap $3 special but it's an important part as others have said.

The metal shaft of the skewer should not only be made of steel, it should be hardened steel. This is very important---anything less will fail much sooner.

One of the reasons I went with an exact replacement for my Ultegra hub was because the factory part is much lighter than most after-market alternatives---especially the cheap ones. Since you have Deore hubs, weight may not be as important with your bike, but I mention it because it might be important for other readers of this thread.

Kind regards, RoadLight

Slash5

I always replace external cam skewers with Shimano internal ones. I've had nothing but problems with the external ones, even on reasonably high end wheels. Whenever I am in a bike co-op I ask about skewers. Mostly I pay $2 each for MTB ones. One place charged me $20 for a set, still cheap.

fietsbob

Steel skewer, steel cap& lever and steel nut-cap on the opposite end? or is that too heavy.

Since people damage rear wheels Most often LBS will have a Bin Ful of Used but still good skewers.

Drop by some time.

I got a pair with a hex bolt skewer from the Bin so Hubs/wheels are less likely to be removed while bike is parked , and locked

[where I Live]

FBinNY 

Update.

I ordered a pair of these paying $2.14 for a F/R pair, with free shipping from the Philippines to the USA.

They arrived today, exactly as advertised. While they're not Dura Ace, they're decent serviceable skewers which can be better than many pricier ones. As expected they have serrated steel faces, though the nut side has more bite than the lever side. That's fine, because the lever side is to the left, so they put the bite where it's needed most.

I'll use these on my commuter and my heirs will post if they don't work out OK in practice.

Tailor

FWIW, I've salvaged skewers off some pretty wrecked bikes/wheels. Usually only paying on a per pound basis, and aside from some that had more corrosion than I wanted to deal with, they have all been useable for riding around town. On the bikes I have here, the weight isnt on the skewer, so the skewer is taking a much lesser force than the hub. I just look that the lever and nut are in good shape.

Wanderer

At a price like that, I wish I needed some................