Pitlock vs Horizontal Dropout..
 

Alright, I did research on pitlock locking skewers and saw that they do not work with horizontal dropouts. I did try to look up the different kinds of horizontal dropout and just came up with different random results, not sure if it was just me or did I search up the wrong words and etc. So my question is very basic, I just want to know with certainty if my bike have an horizontal dropout?
Thanks in advance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...2122009141.jpg

That is a horizontal (semi-horizontal) dropout, yes.

they work on horizontal dropouts, just not very well.

it's not all that important to have a pitlock on the rear, since a good locking strategy will prevent rear wheel thefts.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html
http://www.mechbgon.com/lock/index.html

$%@%^@$#! dammit...I was looking to using pitlock locking skewers too. Well thanks for the answer. But I do have one more question that is slightly off-topic,(and I did some research and still looking for a solid answer) I know many people have said or claimed that pitlock locking skewers DO NOT work with horizontal dropouts, but is this true? I'm searching on google and I keep coming across various old threads on this forum with "Ziemas" claiming they are working fine with HDO. So if Ziemas or anybody else with solid knowledge is reading this, does pitlock skewers work with horizontal dropouts? Also I noticed that some of the various info that stated pitlock NOT working with HDO's are around a year or two old...Is it possible that now in 2009 they work?

Thanks in advance...will be back soon after some sleep..zZzz...

Any quick-release device with skewered axle has less force holding the axle in place on the drop-out than a bolt. Thus a single-speed or fixed gear, which relies on specific position in the axle for chain tension, is not recommended to use a skewered axle on.

Your bike should work fine. Should. Particularly if the frame is true and the wheel is straight in the frame with the axle all the way up the dropout.

Pitlocks work just fine with horizontal dropouts. My wife as been using them for about five years on her Cross Check with absolutely no slippage or problems at all.

So if I'm reading this correctly, it should work with horizontal dropouts and that since my bike is neither fixed or single speed, it should work since multi speed needs less tension? If this is true, I do have one more question. Does the material of the frame account for any problems with the pitlock? Like does steel frame require more tension than an aluminum one? I was just wondering cause I was going to order a set for my girlfriend and her bike is a multi-speed older (1980's?) Schwinn bike.

Maybe you should just use a nutted axle. I know it's not keyed for anti-theft like the pitlock, but a lot of people seem to think it's enough.

My wife's bike is steel, but I can't imagine that it make a difference.

Alright, thanks for all the replies and information. I'll most likely order the pitlocks later tonight, but I still have this slight debate whether or not I should get the pitlocks, which are slightly pricey and should work with horiz. dropout, or those pinhead skewers, which are slightly cheaper and works with horizontal dropouts, but are better than the common locking skewers.

The Pinheads are far worse quality than the Pitlock; I've tried both and would never buy the Pinhead again. Pinheads rust, are more difficult to remove with the key, and are prone to stripping.

Just be careful that you don't over tighten the skewer. I was using a pitlock on the horizontal dropouts of my Cross check. One day I tightened the skewer too much changing a flat and I snapped it.

Thanks for the heads up Ziemas and pasopia. I'll order two sets (one for my girlfriend and I) after I find out the measurements on her bike. The measurements for the fork and whatnot are "standard" for an older bike right?

Jaa, it'll fit.

For reference, I do not have experience with whether or not the Pitlocks work with horizontal dropouts, but I've known the Pinheads to provide marginal to poor performance with them, despite their being advertised for use with horizontal dropouts. I have now had 2 experiences with users of them coming into the shop after their Pinhead let the rear wheel turn in the frame and rub the left chainstay. These users were having consistent problems in this regard. They were correctly installed and tightened in both cases.

Contrastingly, i've personally used them with no issue, not even with them rusting, but have never used them on horizontal dropouts.

I think that in your case, you may be happier with the Pitlock skewers. They are of better quality overall.

that is incorrect.
QR skewers came along when horizontal dropouts were the norm. skewers can clamp down hard enough on horizontal dropouts without having the wheel slip even if it's a FG bike.
The key part however, is the type of clamping mechanism the skewer uses. Open cam and screw down style skewers don't have as much clamping force as a closed cam for the same amount of effort put into tightening it. Some of them use aluminum for the teeth that bite down, which squashes and slips on hardened steel dropouts. That is where that bogus idea arises.

You just need to tighten them a bit harder if it's open cam or screw down type, that's all there is to it.

The cross check is equipped with semi-horizontal dropouts, its a very important distinction when discussing skewers.

OP - semi-horizontal is not horizontal. It looks like you have basic nothing-special aluminum skewers. Replacing them with PitLocks would be an upgrade. No problem. Just be sure to seat the axle back in the slot (I trust you displaced it for the photo)

In general, though you can do it, (and as AEO notes there are QR skewers and there are QR skewers), you're in a danger zone [using skewers with horizontal drops or track ends]. See the note at the end of Peter White's treatise on PitLocks.

The earlier question re (paraphrased) "does frame material, aluminum vs. steel, matter re skewers on horizontal dropouts" -- absolutely not. There is a slight difference in the friction and compressibility of the two materials, but the issue is that a QR skewer generates all the clamping force by the tension in the relatively thin skewer, while a non-QR uses the beefy threaded axle and nuts. It's the configuration of the clamping hardware, not the dropout material being clamped, that matters. Horizontal drops and track ends require a more bodacious clamping force because the dropout isn't helping any.

And cross-check is pretty darn horizontal

LOL, thanks for the reply slcbob. I found it quite comical but informative. I'll be ordering two sets of the skewers tonight from urbanbiketech. I did have one more question though, does anyone have a recommendation on the best oil to be used on pitlocks?

Now you are starting to over-think this. Grease them with whatever grease you have around, just make sure to grease them as they can get stuck in the hub if you don't.

hahaha. Yeah your right, I AM over thinking this, I was just trying to add a couple of bucks to my amazon purchase to get the free shipping. Now I just need to wait for the pitlocks to come in...

Thanks everybody for the advice/reply.