How tight for 'Quick Release?'
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Tight is good. My rule of thumb is to hold the lever out parallel with the axle and tighten the nut on the opposite end till it's finger tight. Then I push the QR lever in so that it's perpendicular to the axle. If I'm not able to push the QR in that much, I back off the nut on the opposite side a skosh.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 2
From: Salinas , Ca.
Bikes: Bike Nashbar AL-1 ,Raligh M50 , Schwinn Traveler , and others
When you close it , you should see the impressment on the palm of your hand . When it close your seatpost will not move and there be no play in your hub (wheel) .
#4
Nigel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 7
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
If you have semi-horizontal drop outs, and your rear wheel slides forward in the drop outs when going up a steep hill, the QR is not tight enough.
#5
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
My rule is "tight enough to do the job, no more, no less.
On wheels you want the rear wheel not to slip (with horizontal dropouts) so a bit more tension might be needed than with a front. On seatposts, you want the post held tight enough not to slip or twist in normal riding - including hard bumps - but may want it loose enough that it twists in a crash possibly sparing you a broken pelvis.
An exact answer is impossible because bikes and QRs vary so much. Some people enjoy excellent clamping at very low QR tension, and others can barely keep a post from slipping even when closing with all their strength.
The guideline offered above of all the slack taken out halfway through the throw is a good starting place, and you can go from there, balancing good holding power and ease of closing and opening.
On wheels you want the rear wheel not to slip (with horizontal dropouts) so a bit more tension might be needed than with a front. On seatposts, you want the post held tight enough not to slip or twist in normal riding - including hard bumps - but may want it loose enough that it twists in a crash possibly sparing you a broken pelvis.
An exact answer is impossible because bikes and QRs vary so much. Some people enjoy excellent clamping at very low QR tension, and others can barely keep a post from slipping even when closing with all their strength.
The guideline offered above of all the slack taken out halfway through the throw is a good starting place, and you can go from there, balancing good holding power and ease of closing and opening.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
Good thread, I always wonder this as well. Early on, mine were as tight as I could get them. Hard to open without something to pry with. But now I'm getting looser and looser with them.
I figure the front wheel has the tabs anyway, its not going anywhere. The rear wheel I still give it a good tightening, but nothing crazy.
My rule of thumb is not so tight that it is painful to open them once closed. That said I have big, strong meat hooks for hands
I'll keep watching the thread and see if something pops up that changes my current stance.
I figure the front wheel has the tabs anyway, its not going anywhere. The rear wheel I still give it a good tightening, but nothing crazy.
My rule of thumb is not so tight that it is painful to open them once closed. That said I have big, strong meat hooks for hands

I'll keep watching the thread and see if something pops up that changes my current stance.
#7
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 409
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Depends also on the skewer. I have some ENVE titanium skewers that need to really really be tight in the back, otherwise I get creaking from slipping out of the saddle. They just don't have as luck mechanical clamping advantage
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I've found a big difference in how hard the QR is to close based on whether it's dry or lubed, so rather than feel, I arrange the nut so that the lever starts to resist my efforts to close it when it is sticking straight out.
#9
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,381
Likes: 5,528
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
At one time the CPSC stated that the QR ends (or was it the axle's locknuts) needed to slightly emboss the drop out face when tightened. As many nicer drop outs were chromed steel this meant a fair amount of pressure and none of the plastic or AL used by current QRs. Andy.
#11
Tight is good. My rule of thumb is to hold the lever out parallel with the axle and tighten the nut on the opposite end till it's finger tight. Then I push the QR lever in so that it's perpendicular to the axle. If I'm not able to push the QR in that much, I back off the nut on the opposite side a skosh.
My method too. Very simple and effective. And you always get it just tight enough.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Deathmobile
Bicycle Mechanics
6
08-17-10 08:54 PM








