Lukimator

Hi, I just bought a new road bike, and it came without any assembly instructions. That's fine, except for this piece which I have no idea where it would go, and I feel like I can put it together without it. Would anybody be able to tell what are they used for?


Thanks in advance!

IcySmooth52

They're loose 'holders' to prevent turning when you turn something else. Is it a BikesDirect cheapo with downtube shifters?

Lukimator

Yeah, cheapo but from amazon. The shifters are mounted on the handlebar, so I don't think they go there:

IcySmooth52

Check the stays at the front and back. Could be to hold the axles up while you tighten the bolts on.

Lukimator

They could be for the front wheel, so that the quick release doesn't move or something, but the back wheel doesn't have them so I don't know. I think I had another cheapo without quick release that needed those on

coupster

They're safety axle retainers for nutted axles. They go on the front axle between the fork and the axle nut. There should be a hole in the fork just above the drop out for the tab. They serve the same purpose as 'lawyer's lips' on quick release axles. I haven't seen any of them since the 70's; but then again I haven't played with a solid nutted axle since then either. Its not a surprise all of you newbies under 30 have never seen one before.

Lukimator

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've seen them on the front on another bike I had, but not with quick release which is why I got confused

Bill Kapaun

When asking a question such as this, put a scale or common object in with the pic so one can get an idea on their actual size.

coupster

I took a closer look at the posted pics and think that somebody is putting us on. Trolling maybe. Those parts are not new. You can clearly see rust discoloration around the edges and the marks made by an axle nut. Or maybe a factory packer having one on the original poster.

Homebrew01

They could be "new old stock" .... unused, but sitting in boxes for years, thus the "patina".
Perhaps they go in every box, just in case the forks have the slots for them. Cheaper just to toss them is, than check which bike it is.

dedhed

Looks like those marks are designed and supposed to be there to interface and bite with the nut. An axle nut wouldn't leave nice crisp lines.

In my garage we call those scrap and toss them or flatten the tab and use them in defiance of the nanny state.

Slash5

I'd agree - I just worked on a Huffy with the same little tabs on a nutted front axle. Does your front fork have the usual ridges to stop the front wheel from coming off? If it does, then they are probably just included in every assembly pack and you don't need them.

jfowler85

Old man comment of the day.

cale

True, but I think you've taken "old man" to an illogical conclusion. You're saying that the old man is just poking fun at younger riders that aren't familiar with old stuff. But I think the comment points out that it is inexperience with the "old stuff" that separates those with direct exposure from those without.

It is just about everyday that I see this "inexperience" and frankly, it can be frustrating for us "experienced" riders to explain why the old stuff existed in the first place. I don't read sarcasm in the old man's comment, I read impatience which is a quality generally ascribed to younger riders. The old man is a lot closer to being like the non-old men but your comment suggests that it is the differences in age that make what he wrote funny. Not so.

wilfried

Yup, my Brompton has those on the front wheel. It acts as a washer and hooks onto the fork under the 15mm bolt.

Retro Grouch 

Only 4 posts. That says troll to me.

mstateglfr 

Why is it frustrating to explain what an outdated(for new build) component is and why it was used? If it isn't explained, then its never known, which benefits nobody. Explaining it with an attitude that its frustrating to explain only sets up for a less than fruitful lesson.
Kids learn from those who know and have done teaching them. If every lesson was filled with frustration for having to teach them, then they wont be very interested in learning since they will see it as a hassle to even ask and learn.



We should all be proud and happy to know what we know and try to help those out who want to learn. That's how knowledge is passed down and retained.

cale

It is frustrating because it forces us to go into teaching mode which is different from chatting mode. Some people are fine with that transition all the time, some occasionally, and some almost never.

jfowler85

Nope, I said "Old man comment of the day." You made up the rest.

SquidPuppet

I'm going to go out on a limb here. Perhaps those who feel frustrated by the "teaching" experience shouldn't voluntarily offer educational information.

I didn't read frustration in coupster's comment. Just an explanation of why some people may have never seen those oldfangled widgets.

cale

Weak limb, you fell. I didn't say I fell into the "almost always" category. Oh, an explanation was it? Careful, the entire tree's going to fall, haha.

cale

Sure, I'm totally lousy at reading between the lines. Haha

SquidPuppet

Read my post again. I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about the people you were describing. Don't take generic comments personally.

cale

But why if not for me? I'm confused. I don't think people deliberately make themselves uncomfortable unless it's to scratch some other itch.

Homebrew01

OK kids, go to your rooms and cool off.