After experiencing a flat during a ride, I started thinking about installing quick releases on my bike. However, I still consider myself a newbie, so I'm not even sure if my wheels are compatible with a quick release. Any helpers?

I have what I think is a 1983 Kuwahara mountain bike. I was hoping to slap on something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Relefree%C2%A...+mountain+bike.

You can make this change. It will require new axel shafts that are hollow so the QR shaft can go through. Most bike without QRs tend to be lower end bikes, so if you're starting to ride enough to be thinking about this change, maybe it's time to think about putting the money toward a better bike.
Mostly, though, any bike you enjoy riding is great. So ride on and ride safe.

It can certainly be done but it's usually more complicated than just replacing the axles. The axle diameters don't always match up and, even when they do, the thread pitch for the cones is usually different so your old cones won't work. Axle lengths for QR hubs have to be exactly the right length. If they project beyond the dropouts AT ALL, they won't clamp. All-in-all I'd rank that as a relatively poor frustration to benefit project.

I did this same thing many-many years ago with an early Mongoose Hybrid. It worked great, didn't have any problems.

If the new axle is too long, you can grind or file it down.

I wouldn't say there's anything 'exact' about axle lengths for a QR hub. As you correctly state, as long as the axle does not protrude past the dropout and protrudes just a bit beyond the lock nut (allow for alignment in the frame) it'll work. That usually gives one a margin of at least 10mm on the 'right' length.

I added QRs to my nephew's MTB to make it easier to transport in the trunk of my sister's car. Cost about $20 using parts from Niagara Cycle.

Here's what I used:
Summit Front QR Axle Set M9/100X108mm 800012 1 $4.38 USD
Summit Rear QR Axle Set M10X135X140mm 800014 1 $4.38 USD
XLC Quick Release Skewers, Pair, Black 600594 1 $9.48 USD

Edit: Just recalled that I did need to order some additional spacers to get the rear hub in spec. Probably another $5 max.

Think of what you have as a wheel theft deterrent. Carry to wrenches as part of your flat tire repair kit. It really doesn't take that much effort to remove your wheels.

Post a photo of your wheel, hub, axle and we might be able to point you to something that would work best.

If you don't already have quick release, then you can't just add it. Yes, you can replace the axles if you know what you're doing, but you apparently don't. The next-easier way requires more money: buy a new wheelset that is Q/R compatible. The extreme solution is to buy a new bike that has Q/R.

Trying to put this thread back on a positive note and help the OP.
You could also upgrade the whole wheel set to one with QR. You could probably find a set on Craig's List for a reasonable price. You can also talk to the mechanics at a local bike shop about your specific circumstances. They are usually helpful and can guide you as to the feasibility of the mod.

Looks like the company made many different models. I'd never heard of it or came across one. You might find your bike among those shown here Kuwahara - BMXmuseum.com or on the next page. There seems to be a fan club out there and even people seeking to buy them like this one wanted 1983 / 1984 kuwahara sierra MTB | Retrobike. At a cursory glance that ones looks to be a decent bike. One good way to tell is to weigh it. The lighter the better. Most light bikes have better quality components. It's too old to look up on Bikepedia and see what components came on it.


It agree that it might be cheaper to find a set of used wheels with quick release already installed as the quality of the entire hub is likely to be better than what's on your existing wheel. I picked up a pair of spare wheels for my Balance AL-450 MTB with good quality Shimano hubs for just $20 at a garage sale a couple blocks from home. That's probably somewhat lucky as I couldn't have bought a single replacement Shimano Deore LX hub for $20.


When I rode a Greenspeed trike with SRAM dual-drive rear hub I carries a simple bone wrench like this one New Bicycle 10 in 1 Dog Bone Design Bike Mini Pocket Hexagon Wrench Multi Tool | eBay to remove the axle nuts on the rear wheel. It's small and weighs very little. Not appreciably slower than a quick release. Mine came in a dollar store patch kit. You can import them from overseas and spend under a dollar for one Bicycle Bike Dumbell Wrench Dog Bone Shape Hexagon Spanner Kit Tools Hand Tools | eBay ($.96 postpaid) Sure would be cheaper than messing with the existing wheels.

I've done the change on a couple of Fuji Ace bikes with front QR and rear bolt-on.

In both cases I kept the hubs, and just replaced the axle. It was a bit of a pain. As mentioned above, it used different threads, thus different axle, cones and lock nuts. Also at least one had the dust seals attached to the cones, so those got replaced too.

On the rear, it is easy to get the dishing off just a bit, so that must be fixed too.