I need to replace the QR skewers on my Surley LHT. Racks that I've installed interfere with the QR's and bolt on's should give me better clearance as well as better security.

What should I look for? Is one brand better than another? Sure weight is a variable but with the LHT, a few grams won't be noticeable. Are skewer sizes uniform or do I need a particular size? Are front and back the same size?

I'm really sorry about all of the questions but I've never thought about skewers until now.

Thank you and I really appreciate your advice.

Front and rear are different sizes. Your bike has a 100mm OLD in the front and 135 in the rear--forget what skewer lengths are for that exactly. Some skewers intended for road bikes may be too short in the rear, basically.

Any sort of hex head/security head skewers should work fine--there's not a whole lot complex with what is basically a threaded rod and nut.

Post #2 is accurate but... is it really the skewer that has to go or is it that the rack legs need to be shimmed out to clear the skewer bolts? Skewers do not differ that much in their operation that changing brands will make any difference, and the length of the skewer is not negotiable. It must be the length it is to work. There isn't that much wiggle available.

I'd suggest asking on the Touring board.

It sounds to me that you want to replace your conventional QR skewers with skewers that use an Allen key or something similar so they won't interfere with your cargo rack. I'm thinking the guys in Touring will be more likely to have the experience and advice that you are looking for.

I have a Surly Pacer fitted with a Blackburn rear rack and it uses a standard Shimano qr skewer with no problems. I do have to orient the "flag" (closing lever) of the skewer forward of the rack leg and pointing up when closed.

https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Axlerod.../dp/B000ACAMKG

Yea, skewers on the rear had to get longer as the axle width spread..

120 (5)126(6~7)130 (road 8+) 135 (MTB, 29erv disc, etc.)

post #3 is inaccurate

How about some photos of the bike in question, and where the conflicts are. Thus we'll have something to work with.

Also, is the OP using the skewers properly? Tighten down most of the way, then flip the lever to lock. They aren't to be used as wingnuts, unless using ones like the DT RWS skewers.

Only partly accurate.

There are several different types of skewers. Probably more that I'm not thinking of, ignoring thru-axle configs.

• Internal Cam Skewers with cam nut sticking out.
• Internal Cam Skewers without cam nut (C-Clip?)
• External Cam Skewers
• Internal cam, center lever Skewers (fairly rare, but a few are around).
• Internal cam, lever splits to both sides of skewer.
• Twist Lock Skewers (DT RWS)

So, there may well be some wiggle room changing from an internal cam skewer to an external cam skewer (horizontal or vertical dropouts?). Or finding a different style of skewer that doesn't interfere quite as much with the rack mounts.