Originally Posted by
steelbikeguy
I've seen people treat QR skewers like wingnuts too, and was a bit amazed. Perhaps I over-estimate the mechanical aptitude of the average person?
The through-axle does seem like a solution that satisfies people's urge to screw things together, but I've wondered if bikes with rim brakes wouldn't be better off with wingnuts? ... at least for those folks who are challenged by QR's? My first 10 speed was equipped with them, and for a Montgomery Ward bike, they were a bit exotic!! There's a bit of a compromise in the wingnuts, though. The wings weren't long enough, on average, to get much torque. OTOH, I still use a Hi-E hub with its little half-wingnut method of attachment. The wing is only a bit under 1" long, and it is adequate to hold the front wheel on.
Steve in frigid Peoria
Ah -- the QR "skewer of death." I bought a pair of nice wheels with tubular rims and low-flange Campag. hubs and a hi-E front skewer. That thing is neither quick nor safe -- there were a lot of scary stories of skewer snappage. I switched to a conventional QR skewer and never looked back.
Fortunately, I have four ca. 1960 frames whose forks are devoid of gimmicks.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069