Quick release front wheel
03-07-15 | 08:30 AM
#1
Thread Starter
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From: still above ground
Bikes: 2016 Specialized crosstrail comp disc
Quick release front wheel
I have never removed a front wheel using the quick release.
It looks so incredibly simple that I have to post about it here.
You see, I have no doubt that I will be able to easily remove the wheel
so I can load the bike into my Honda CRV,
It's the putting it back on part that has me posting here.
Is it just as easy putting it back on, or is there some hidden danger lurking in the apparent simplicity?
It looks so incredibly simple that I have to post about it here.
You see, I have no doubt that I will be able to easily remove the wheel
so I can load the bike into my Honda CRV,
It's the putting it back on part that has me posting here.
Is it just as easy putting it back on, or is there some hidden danger lurking in the apparent simplicity?
03-07-15 | 09:06 AM
#3
aka Phil Jungels
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: North Aurora, IL
Bikes: 08 Specialized Crosstrail Sport, 05 Sirrus Comp
And stand the bike up straight when tightening, with weight on the wheel. It goes without saying, that you tighten the "nut" portion of the release when reinstalling, before throwing the lever. And it should leave an impression in yur hand, when you do tighten that lever. Then re-attach the brakes and test them.
Do it twice, and you will be an old hand at it.
Do it twice, and you will be an old hand at it.
03-07-15 | 09:51 AM
#4
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From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
I've seen even some experienced cyclists use the QR lever as a wrench, which is wrong!!! Tighten the nut, then flip the lever over to tighten the last bit. It's a cam. Like Wanderer says, if pushing the lever down that last bit doesn't leave an impression in your palm, then open the lever, tighten the nut some more, then re-activate the lever.
03-07-15 | 10:00 AM
#5
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Note that the reason you have to tighten the quick release skewer before closing the lever is that there is a lip at the bottom of the fork that is designed to prevent the wheel from coming off even if the lever opens while riding. That's the same reason you have to loosen (unscrew) the skewer after opening the lever before you can take the wheel off.
03-07-15 | 11:19 AM
#6
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From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
I've seen even some experienced cyclists use the QR lever as a wrench, which is wrong!!! Tighten the nut, then flip the lever over to tighten the last bit. It's a cam. Like Wanderer says, if pushing the lever down that last bit doesn't leave an impression in your palm, then open the lever, tighten the nut some more, then re-activate the lever.
In other words, dummy proof.
03-07-15 | 11:57 AM
#7
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From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
I still think QR's are just the slickest thing since a 10 speed. My first two 10 speeds in the 70's were low budget entry level quality brand bikes. One feature they didnt have was the QR. As a teen, I envied friends with those things.
03-07-15 | 01:30 PM
#9
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From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
Nothing is dummy-proof because someone will always come up with a better dummy. When I first saw those levers I thought they were an April-Fool's Day joke. I wonder how many inch-pounds of clamping force they can generate?
03-07-15 | 01:39 PM
#10
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From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
03-07-15 | 02:15 PM
#11
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My rule of thumb is to tighten with the nut so that the lever remains easy to push until it is parallel with the hub. Just the last "closing" of the lever should meet with resistance.
03-07-15 | 02:23 PM
#12
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From: SW Fl.
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03-07-15 | 03:48 PM
#13
Old Fart In Training
Joined: Oct 2012
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I close mine snug, making the final shut with my thumb power only and no more.
Never had it come loose, I ride single track on a full suspension 27.5" and I close it the same way on my Tour Easy.
What ?
Yes, I get air on my mountain bike
Never had it come loose, I ride single track on a full suspension 27.5" and I close it the same way on my Tour Easy.
What ?
Yes, I get air on my mountain bike
03-07-15 | 06:09 PM
#14
Team Geritol
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Leander, TX
Bikes: Cannondale R700 USA Ed., & Motobecane Century Team & Motobecane Titanium
There are several good videos on YouTube.com that show how to remove and mount a wheel with quick release skewers.
Ride On!
-Spoke
Ride On!
-Spoke
03-07-15 | 07:08 PM
#16
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Remember, there is nothing foolproof enough to defeat a sufficiently foolish person.
We all should have a tat of the Campag flying globe, or the oval, to salute Tullio for inventing the QR after he lost a race because his frozen fingers wouldn't grip the wingnuts when he flatted.
Bill
We all should have a tat of the Campag flying globe, or the oval, to salute Tullio for inventing the QR after he lost a race because his frozen fingers wouldn't grip the wingnuts when he flatted.
Bill
03-07-15 | 10:27 PM
#17
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From: Eugene, Oregon
Remember, there is nothing foolproof enough to defeat a sufficiently foolish person.
We all should have a tat of the Campag flying globe, or the oval, to salute Tullio for inventing the QR after he lost a race because his frozen fingers wouldn't grip the wingnuts when he flatted.
Bill
We all should have a tat of the Campag flying globe, or the oval, to salute Tullio for inventing the QR after he lost a race because his frozen fingers wouldn't grip the wingnuts when he flatted.
Bill
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2014/...io-campagnolo/
That is the legend, but what is the real story of Campagnolo? Working with well-known cycling historian David Herlihy and other experts, we’ve pieced together the history of Campagnolo. Based on research in European archives, patent searches and contemporary accounts, the conclusions were published in a 19-page article in the Summer 2014 Bicycle Quarterly. The true story is different from the myth, but it’s no less fascinating...
...Back to the quick release: It appears that Campagnolo did not invent it at all. The story of the race in the snow is a myth. There was a snowy Coppa della Vittoria, but in a different year (1925), and Campagnolo isn’t mentioned in the race reports as a favorite in any of the Coppas della Vittoria of the 1920s.
The original patent for the quick release, said to date from 1930, does not exist. Later patents by Campagnolo are written very narrowly for improvements or special features of the quick release, indicating that he could not patent the cam-actuated quick release itself.
...Back to the quick release: It appears that Campagnolo did not invent it at all. The story of the race in the snow is a myth. There was a snowy Coppa della Vittoria, but in a different year (1925), and Campagnolo isn’t mentioned in the race reports as a favorite in any of the Coppas della Vittoria of the 1920s.
The original patent for the quick release, said to date from 1930, does not exist. Later patents by Campagnolo are written very narrowly for improvements or special features of the quick release, indicating that he could not patent the cam-actuated quick release itself.
03-08-15 | 07:30 AM
#18
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From: still above ground
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I found them very helpful as were some of these posts.
I can now proudly proclaim my expertise and removing and re-installing a front quick release wheel.
Truly, it's the little things in life that bring the greatest joy
03-08-15 | 08:57 AM
#19
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From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
One thing I didn't see mentioned is how cinching the skewer has an effect on bearing clearance.
Clinch it tighter and the bearing play decreases. Too loose and they are sloppy.
I always feel for play in the hub and adjust accordingly.
Clinch it tighter and the bearing play decreases. Too loose and they are sloppy.
I always feel for play in the hub and adjust accordingly.
03-08-15 | 09:31 AM
#20
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Note that the reason you have to tighten the quick release skewer before closing the lever is that there is a lip at the bottom of the fork that is designed to prevent the wheel from coming off even if the lever opens while riding. That's the same reason you have to loosen (unscrew) the skewer after opening the lever before you can take the wheel off.
After having several bikes without lawyer lips, I finally bought one with the dreaded lips, after my first flat on that bike, it took me a bit of looking to understand whey they took a simple procedure and made it complicated.
I wouldn't necessarily call them quick release anymore, but maybe easier release instead. I'm tempted to file them off, but I'm not sure it's worth the bother.
03-08-15 | 09:34 AM
#21
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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NB: Hex socket skewers add the inconvenience factor that may reduce wheel theft..
Re Wheel wingnuts
No inspired Gentullio (Tullio) Campagnolo to make the (patented 1930) QR skewer Hub.
Re Wheel wingnuts
Shadows of the C Itoh.
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-08-15 at 09:41 AM.
03-08-15 | 09:51 AM
#22
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From: Oregon
That is why hub bearings should be adjusted under a "pre-load" when servicing the hubs. That takes the guess work out of mounting the wheel. Look on the Park tool website for an easy way of doing this.
03-08-15 | 10:10 AM
#23
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From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
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The bearings should be adjusted to be correct when adequate clamping force is applied by the QR skewer, not by adjusting the clamping force to adjust bearings play.
That is why hub bearings should be adjusted under a "pre-load" when servicing the hubs. That takes the guess work out of mounting the wheel. Look on the Park tool website for an easy way of doing this.
That is why hub bearings should be adjusted under a "pre-load" when servicing the hubs. That takes the guess work out of mounting the wheel. Look on the Park tool website for an easy way of doing this.
Are you assuming everybody has their bearings adjusted perfectly?
My point was that clamping force has an effect.
IF someone has never used a QR before, like the OP, that they have to pay attention to the proper amount to clamp the wheel in.
It's not a case of harder is better.
03-08-15 | 10:54 AM
#24
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From: The Continental Divide
Bikes: CDALE CAAD10
Just a tip...
before you snug the lever, strike your palm on the top of the tire with the bike on the ground. this helps to ensure the axle settles properly into the dropouts.
before you snug the lever, strike your palm on the top of the tire with the bike on the ground. this helps to ensure the axle settles properly into the dropouts.
03-08-15 | 11:21 AM
#25
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From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Another thing to consider is lever positioning.
On the rear, people typically put the QR levers on the left, away from the derailleur and etc.
Likewise, it is customary to put the QR levers on the front on the same side (although there was a topic about people who liked the QR on the right).
I was taught to set the levers directed straight back to avoid snagging stuff.
Others choose to make them parallel to the tubes, or in the rear triangle.
However, do not direct the levers forward or downward. I suppose it would be rare to snag the levers on a road hazard, but you don't want them opening unexpectedly.
On the rear, people typically put the QR levers on the left, away from the derailleur and etc.
Likewise, it is customary to put the QR levers on the front on the same side (although there was a topic about people who liked the QR on the right).
I was taught to set the levers directed straight back to avoid snagging stuff.
Others choose to make them parallel to the tubes, or in the rear triangle.
However, do not direct the levers forward or downward. I suppose it would be rare to snag the levers on a road hazard, but you don't want them opening unexpectedly.