Cyclist0103

Hello,

I would like a list of PRO and CONs on two types of wheelset:

QR (quick release) wheelset

Through Axle wheelset (with QR wheelset)


i wanted to know which one is best for a MTB bike. the wheelset would have to be 26". The wheelset would have to have disc brake. Please teach me the goods and bads about two types of wheelset. so thank you.

JohnDThompson 

If you're intending to use disc brakes, a through axle is a good idea. Assuming you don't already have the frame, make sure it is designed for both disc brakes and through axles, otherwise expect to spend extra money converting.

calamarichris

Is this a suspended MTB?

The QR front end on my Globe Live 3 (an unsuspended commuter bike), which also has hydraulic disk brakes, is less robust, kinda noisy*, and more flexy-feeling than my mountainbike with the beefier suspended forks and thru-axle.
Either one works fine, but I think thru-axles are probably the way to go if you want to take full advantage of hydraulic disks.

*this may be due to the aluminum frame and fork, as well as the mid-pricepoint hydraulic brakes.

Tim_Iowa

You say that the wheelset has to be 26"; does this mean you already have the frame?

If you already have the frame, then it will dictate the type of axle used; through-axles use different dropouts than QRs.

Also, through-axles are new but 26" MTBs are old, so you may not find a new wheelset that meets your specifications.


Through-axles are stiffer than QRs and locate the disc rotor more consistently than a QR axle does.

fietsbob

in common spares The QR has been produced for a Long time already .

Thru axle is the new Thing dont expect spare wheels to be hanging in small shops.

Cyclist0103

i apologize.. i am not looking for new frames or wheelset with throu-axle.... I am just looking for more information so i can learn a lot more about the two type of wheelset. I also am trying to learn the pros and cons of these two type of wheelset.

QR and through-axle.
and how recently new is the through-axle? and also do the through-axle rolling better than QR? or was it actually that QR that do rolling better?

Tim_Iowa

Through-axles came out within the last 10 years. There are a couple different sizes (10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, others) and different lengths (135, 142, 170, 197 mm, others). They were designed to help stiffness and disc brake location issues on MTBs, and they have started showing up in cyclocross and road bikes over the last couple years.

AngryAsian: Bring on the thru-axles - BikeRadar USA

Neither design has an advantage for rolling resistance. That will depend on the quality of the bearings in the hub. You can find a cheap through-axle hub that has more resistance than an expensive QR hub, and vice-versa.

Like I said, you won't find many 26" wheelsets with through-axles.

Seattle Forrest

There's a thread in the road forum today, asking about forks with typical road geometry that support a thru-axle. I'll say here what I said there, even though it's probably not very helpful to many people.

I just bought a GT Grade, an "adventure road bike" / "gravel grinder" with hydraulic disc brakes and a thru-axle fork. Has a standard QR rear wheel, though. I can't say much more than that because the bike is new to me (only 200 miles), I haven't had to take the wheel off yet, and so far the difference isn't obvious.

MichaelW

Suspension forks have 2 sliders connected by an upper bridge. The internal stanchions a joined by a crown at the top. There is very little cross bracing, so the fork can twist under braking. Thru-axles provide more complete cross-bracing at the lower end. They need forks with a circular axle hole, not a QR slot.
QR axles are directed by braking forces out of their slot. Only the skewer and some lawyer lips prevent the axle being ejected. For aggresive stunt and race riding, t-axles provide extra security
T-axles are "better" but QR axles are more universal and easier to remove the wheel.

Cyclist0103

I know a GT grade very well. i have researched many road bike. so yeah i am familiar with that road bike. its hard to notice the difference.. My mtb bike had a through-axle and the fork is worn out really bad enough so i had to get a new fork with QR standard.. and i replaced the fork with the new fork. I didn't notice any different feeling regarding the fork and QR standard. and by the way, my mtb bike also has a rear QR standard as well.

ah that was useful information to know. and i never heard of T-axles? are you referring T-axles to a "throu-axle"? sorry i am not familiar with that word "t-axle".

another useful information.. thank you for providing me an explanation. and yes i noticed some road bike and CX bikes like GT grade starting to show the through-axle. i can even see it on the picture. you are correct, they are starting to show up.

Hiro11

IMO, thru axle is a far stronger, safer and stiffer interface than QR. I think even non-disc bikes benefit from thru-axles. I could see all bikes going this way in a few years.