Originally Posted by
John E
I think you can still get complete axle kits with cones and nuts.
I really do not see the point of the SS conversion, or even the solid axle swap. Why degrade the bicycle's utility and riding experience?
Bicycle theft was rampant when I attended UCLA (1968-78), and we just pulled the front wheel, set it next to the back wheel, and ran a lock through the frame and both wheels. Some folks just took the front wheel with them to class, instead.
It pains me to pull off the original equipment. But these riders are people who are confused by gears and quick releases, and they don't care to learn. They're not going to separate the wheel from the bike in order to lock it up. They're not going to carry it with them to class. The bike needs to work in the simplest way possible. They still want elegant transport. They will be inconvenienced if it's missing a wheel when they come to ride it. Why not make it as easy as possible for them?
I'm going to look at locking skewers. Didn't think of that.