Common Axle Sizes
 

At the co-op where I volunteer we often see wheels, mostly rear, that have bent axles. We are thinking that if we had a few new ones in stock that we could save these wheels for a far cheaper price than a new or used wheel. What axle sizes are common? We see a lot of low end mountain bikes, and older (70 and 80s road bikes). QBP has a page of axles available, but we do not have the expertise to know which ones we need. Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Steve

CoOp Got a copy of the Sutherlands Reference book? http://www.sutherlandsbicycle.com/7th_Edition.html

http://www.sutherlandsbicycle.com/SBSAbook_CD.html CD has the pages from prior editions .

reference books are good things to have,
particularly when people are trying to learn the ins and outs of bikes made in the Past.

The most common thread spec for rear axles is 10mm x 1mm, but there are exceptions. Length varies depending on how many cogs are on the hub, whether it uses nuts or a quick release lever to fasten it to the frame, etc.

Why not pull the bent axles out and measure them? That would tell you what size(s) are most common for the bicycle population you support.

M9 x 100mm x 108mm
M10 x 126mm x 136mm
M10 x 130mm x 140mm
M10 x 135mm x 145mm

Quick release axles...industry standard specifications...

Higher end brand name rear M10 axles will have an extra .5mm on each end with a rounded finish. Typically better quality materials as well and cost more. They'll be listed as:

M10 x 126mm x 137mm
M10 x 130mm x 136mm
M10 x 135mm x 146mm

...or something like that.


3/8 x 100mm x 140mm
3/8 x 135mm x 175mm

Solid axles...

The above will cover about 90 percent of the bikes currently on the road dating from the mid-eighties onward. The rest will be "oldies" with French/Italian/Other thread standards and your "coaster brake stuff" with different thread pitches.

=8-)

Rabbit gives good info, but I'd suggest getting a heap of 10x1 solid axles and a bunch of 10x1 nuts. That way, you can salvage q/r skewers and have a "library" of those for bikes with beat skewers but good axles, you won't need to order/keep as many sizes in stock, and you'll have a heap of 10x1 axle bolts for other repairs, or when fixedkids come in looking for stuff.......

I know a lot of ppl love some q/r skewers, but one can't expect too much from a co-op, and i think a simplified co-op has the potential to run smoother....