How do I replace bolted wheels to quick release?
#1
Thread Starter
Banned.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
How do I replace bolted wheels to quick release?
Hi,
I recently bought a wheel (Halo Aero) which is a bolted wheel. I am looking to change it to a quick release, what parts will I need to do this as well as how would I go about doing this?
Thanks
I recently bought a wheel (Halo Aero) which is a bolted wheel. I am looking to change it to a quick release, what parts will I need to do this as well as how would I go about doing this?
Thanks
#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.
You need a hollow axle and a quick release (sold separately). Now here's the trick:
1. The axle has to be exactly the right length to nest in your bike frame's dropouts but not extend beyond the dropouts even a little. If the axle,s too long the QR won't tighten against the frame and won't be able to hold the wheel in place.
2. The axle has to have the same thread pitch as your hub's cones. The easiest way of making sure is to take the bare axle to your LBS and tell them what you're trying to do.
3. What do the dropouts look like on your bike? If they're horizontal you'll want to find a Quick release skewer that has an internal mechanism like one made by Shimano. The ones with an external cam probably won't grab tightly enough.
4. QR's come in different lengths too so be sure to get one that matches what you are trying to do.
Once you've accumulated all the right parts the "how to" is pretty easy. Basically you overhaul your hub and substitute the new axle. If you've never overhauled a hub, check the Park Tool website for step-by-step instructions.
Good luck.
1. The axle has to be exactly the right length to nest in your bike frame's dropouts but not extend beyond the dropouts even a little. If the axle,s too long the QR won't tighten against the frame and won't be able to hold the wheel in place.
2. The axle has to have the same thread pitch as your hub's cones. The easiest way of making sure is to take the bare axle to your LBS and tell them what you're trying to do.
3. What do the dropouts look like on your bike? If they're horizontal you'll want to find a Quick release skewer that has an internal mechanism like one made by Shimano. The ones with an external cam probably won't grab tightly enough.
4. QR's come in different lengths too so be sure to get one that matches what you are trying to do.
Once you've accumulated all the right parts the "how to" is pretty easy. Basically you overhaul your hub and substitute the new axle. If you've never overhauled a hub, check the Park Tool website for step-by-step instructions.
Good luck.
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
The Halo Aero is a fixed gear track wheel. These always use bolts (track-nuts) to ensure a solid connection under force in the horizontal dropouts. Dont use a quick-release on a fixed gear rear wheel, you can never get them tight enough for safety.
If you are using the rear wheel with a singlespeed freewheel then you can convert to QR. You need to find a hollow axle of the correct width. There are some workshops who can cut an axle to the correct size, I have used one who cut the axle a bit too short, it fitted with only 2 threads engaging the dropout, too few for safety.
If you are using the rear wheel with a singlespeed freewheel then you can convert to QR. You need to find a hollow axle of the correct width. There are some workshops who can cut an axle to the correct size, I have used one who cut the axle a bit too short, it fitted with only 2 threads engaging the dropout, too few for safety.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,559
Likes: 53
From: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline
Having had a QR wheel on a single speed slip on some grunty uphills I concur that for single speed or track/fixie riding your ideal path is to stick with nutted axles. They clamp with more pressure and less operator effort. I was more than happy to change from a QR axle to a solid with nuts.
The trick is the axle nut wrench you need to carry along with your tire levers and spare tube. The trick setup is to get a cheapie dollar bin 15mm box end wrench and using a grinder or abrasive cutoff saw cut the wrench down to about 3 inches long and carry this short box end axle nut wrench in your seat bag or wherever you store your spare tube and other bits.
The trick is the axle nut wrench you need to carry along with your tire levers and spare tube. The trick setup is to get a cheapie dollar bin 15mm box end wrench and using a grinder or abrasive cutoff saw cut the wrench down to about 3 inches long and carry this short box end axle nut wrench in your seat bag or wherever you store your spare tube and other bits.
#6
That's not to say it's not somewhat trickier than a bolt on, you do need to know how to use a quick release properly.
#7
+ internal cam, as mentioned above
Using nuts on track wheels is just tradition. Pros doing the most rigorous mountain climbs on bikes with horizontal dropouts and quick release skewers shows that QR works just fine.
The Halo Aero is a fixed gear track wheel. These always use bolts (track-nuts) to ensure a solid connection under force in the horizontal dropouts. Dont use a quick-release on a fixed gear rear wheel, you can never get them tight enough for safety.
If you are using the rear wheel with a singlespeed freewheel then you can convert to QR.
If you are using the rear wheel with a singlespeed freewheel then you can convert to QR.
#8
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
#9
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
#11
#12
There are other reasons why converting may not be possible. I don't know anything about that particular brand of hub, but if it is designed anything like some others I'm more familiar with, like Formula, it will have cartridge bearings, and a specially designed shouldered axle. I doubt there is a hollow axle made to replace it.
#13
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.





