Broken Rear Quickchange Axle - Convert to Solid Axle or Not?
06-20-07, 09:45 AM
#1
50/50 Road/eBike Commuter
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Broken Rear Quickchange Axle - Convert to Solid Axle or Not?
My bike developed a problem where the shifting was getting sloppy, and there was a lot of resistance on the rear wheel. With the help of a coworker, I found that the rear axle was broken. My bike is a Mongoose SX 4.3 MTB, about 9 years old. It has quickchange for the wheels and seat. I was able to get a new rear axle from a local shop, but they only had a solid one - not the hollow kind (for the quickchange rod). I installed it and repacked the bearings in the process. I haven't decided if I'm going to stay with it or look for a hollow quickchange axle. I imagine the solid one is stronger, but the drawback is that I'll be carrying two 15 mm wrenches with it to be able to remove it if need be. I imagine going down some of the sharp curbs here helped the axle break. I know... I should ride in the street and understand why... but some of the streets here are simply too dangerous. What do you think? Know where to find some lightweight but strong (titanium?) 15 mm wrenches, preferably USA-made? Thanks for any comments.
Last edited by kmcrawford111; 06-20-07 at 01:27 PM.
06-20-07, 09:47 AM
#2
You know you want to.
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Originally Posted by kmcrawford111
My bike developed a problem where the shifting was getting sloppy, and there was a lot of resistance on the rear wheel. With the help of a coworker, I found that the rear axle was broken. My bike is a Mongoose SX 4.3, about 9 years old. It has quickchange for the wheels and seat. I was able to get a new rear axle from a local shop, but they only had a solid one - not the hollow kind I have (for the quickchange rod). I installed it and repacked the bearings in the process. I haven't decided if I'm going to stay with it or look for a hollow quickchange axle. I imagine the solid one is stronger, but the drawback is that I'll be carrying two 15 mm wrenches with it to be able to remove it if need be. What do you think? Know where to find some lightweight but strong (titanium?) 15 mm wrenches, preferably USA made?
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Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
06-20-07, 12:37 PM
#6
ǝıd ǝʌol ʎllɐǝɹ I
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The axles I've broken were mostly due to a loose right cone getting screwed tighter until something broke, not from riding too hard on the bike.
You can fix a flat if you have a patch kit & tire levers, there's no need to remove the wheel for that. It's faster to put on a new tube though.
You can fix a flat if you have a patch kit & tire levers, there's no need to remove the wheel for that. It's faster to put on a new tube though.
06-20-07, 12:52 PM
#7
I drink your MILKSHAKE
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06-24-07, 10:50 AM
#8
50/50 Road/eBike Commuter
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Originally Posted by Eatadonut
Wingnuts - instead of the bolts on the ends of the axle, put on nice big wingnuts. Washers may be necessary. Then you don't need wrenches.
06-24-07, 10:57 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by kmcrawford111
I like that idea, thanks! But where can I find wing nuts that will fit, they seem to be metric size M10, but nonstandard (finer) thread. Anyone know where to get some?
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2007 Globe City 3.1
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06-25-07, 03:23 PM
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I used to snap rear axles monthly. (I used to "cowboy it" a little too much.) I was able to have the local bike shop get me a chromoly axle shaft. Never broke that one.
