QR Lever Position
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05-09-21, 07:39 AM
#27
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I’d also add that generally you get about the right closed tension if you adjust the QR nut so that you are just feeling the onset of some tension when the lever is about straight out. Obviously it will vary, but that is a reasonable starting point.
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05-09-21, 07:42 AM
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FWIW, the illustration is NOT showing a QR on the drive side.
That said, it makes zero difference which side you run the QR lever in most cases. And it makes perfect sense to run the QR on the drive side if you have discs for the simple reason that you are less likely to get your dirty little fingers on the rotor when opening and closing the lever.
That said, it makes zero difference which side you run the QR lever in most cases. And it makes perfect sense to run the QR on the drive side if you have discs for the simple reason that you are less likely to get your dirty little fingers on the rotor when opening and closing the lever.
05-09-21, 07:44 AM
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05-09-21, 07:51 AM
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Which side and which direction should be quick release lever go?
05-09-21, 08:09 AM
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05-09-21, 09:14 AM
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I tuck the QR lever behind the left fork leg front, and between the seat- and chainstay on the rear. Clean look and levers out of the way. I mounted my QR on the left on my disc-equipped MTB, but I ensured that there were no clearance issues. If there were, I’d have no hesitation mounting the QR on the right, tradition be damned
05-09-21, 09:35 AM
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The skewer should go in front of the fork. The lever can move further inboard so it is tighter. The fork leg also can get in the way if the lever is angled across the leg. These two picture illustrate the problem nicely. On the suspension fork, the lever can’t be closed in any position except vertical.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
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05-09-21, 10:25 AM
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The skewer should go in front of the fork. The lever can move further inboard so it is tighter. The fork leg also can get in the way if the lever is angled across the leg. These two picture illustrate the problem nicely. ...
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
My levers include early '00s Campy, slightly newer Ultegra and 105, cheap steel Shimano and QBP. All forks are traditional tapered steel, 531, Japanese Hi Ten and the like.
A thought I had looking at your vertical lever - what a temptation for kids! Mine would not even be noticed and the smaller ones would not be able to sum up the strength to open it with the fewer fingers that fit.
05-09-21, 12:23 PM
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Does not apply to all OEM axle types. An aftermarket option can often change how the process goes, but that usually requires a hex head tool to preset the tension.
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05-09-21, 12:24 PM
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I’ve witnessed a crash where the q/r lever had gotten loose, tilted inwards and snagged the rotor. It wasn’t pretty.
Newer closed cam skewers - at least Shimano - have been changed not to go past 90 deg angle to prevent this. Took me awhile to readjust the visual cue to how it should look.
While I do appreciate the actual braking from discs, there are some fundamental flaws in the engineering that frankly makes me embarrassed.
Newer closed cam skewers - at least Shimano - have been changed not to go past 90 deg angle to prevent this. Took me awhile to readjust the visual cue to how it should look.
While I do appreciate the actual braking from discs, there are some fundamental flaws in the engineering that frankly makes me embarrassed.
05-09-21, 12:25 PM
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The skewer should go in front of the fork. The lever can move further inboard so it is tighter. The fork leg also can get in the way if the lever is angled across the leg. These two picture illustrate the problem nicely. On the suspension fork, the lever can’t be closed in any position except vertical.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
05-09-21, 12:31 PM
#39
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But the mechanics were all there.
Once the q/r got loose enough, the lever did have enough range of motion to interfere with the rotor.
As If the wrinkled up rotor and tore up dropout would have left much doubt about how the event unfolded.
Read here for more:https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/th...s-to-replace-0
05-09-21, 12:36 PM
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Don’t think we ever thought about that at that moment. A flipped lever would arc outwards, making it less likely to snag the rotor.
But the mechanics were all there.
Once the q/r got loose enough, the lever did have enough range of motion to interfere with the rotor.
As If the wrinkled up rotor and tore up dropout would have left much doubt about how the event unfolded.
Read here for more:https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/th...s-to-replace-0
But the mechanics were all there.
Once the q/r got loose enough, the lever did have enough range of motion to interfere with the rotor.
As If the wrinkled up rotor and tore up dropout would have left much doubt about how the event unfolded.
Read here for more:https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/th...s-to-replace-0
05-09-21, 12:46 PM
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Edit:
Old vs current Shimano q/r
Top/left is an older Shimano q/r. Low/right is the recent design. Note how much lower the old lever dips.
Both levers in good, original condition.
Last edited by dabac; 05-09-21 at 01:16 PM.
05-09-21, 01:10 PM
#42
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Uh... what? You must have some seriously long toes to be able to reach the hub. And if your foot comes off the pedal that far/forcefully, I don't think worrying about kicking the front QR is in the Top 5 Things You Should Be Worrying About Mid-Crash.
Depending on the fork and the QR lever's shape, like was stated by Johnny HardKore, it depends. Just don't kick it.
Depending on the fork and the QR lever's shape, like was stated by Johnny HardKore, it depends. Just don't kick it.
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05-09-21, 03:36 PM
#43
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Yup. Mine. Other than Campy, they are the only ones to own.
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Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
Last edited by cyccommute; 05-09-21 at 09:00 PM.
05-09-21, 04:18 PM
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05-09-21, 05:49 PM
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This is probably the most logical post here. Especially true for mountain bike anyway, that can hook strong weeds etc, if in the forward arc.
05-10-21, 06:07 AM
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Rule #41// Quick-release levers are to be carefully positioned. Quick release angle on the front skewer shall be an upward angle which tightens just aft of the fork and the rear quick release shall tighten at an angle that bisects angle between the seat and chain stays. It is acceptable, however, to have the rear quick release tighten upward, just aft of the seat stay, when the construction of the frame or its dropouts will not allow the preferred positioning. For Time Trial bikes only, quick releases may be in the horizontal position facing towards the rear of the bike. This is for maximum aero effect.
05-10-21, 06:52 AM
#48
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but since the thread has yet to reach three pages, comments are required 
. I did not know that they were called “Brilando clips” but mostly heard them referred to as “lawyer clips”. The former certainly has a more positive sound to it. I have more than a few bikes and the only ones with the “Brilando clips” are the Schwinns. I understand that Mr Brilando was a Schwinn engineer and responsible for the design. Was the intent to be proprietary and only exist on Schwinn bikes? I get the general impression that many bicycle enthusiasts think little of these clips and remove them. Personally, I agree with those that believe them to be a superfluous safety device. I will say though, that I’ve left them on all of my Schwinn bikes. If I acquire a Schwinn where a previous owner had removed them, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t seek out replacements. RE: the question as how the clips should be oriented, I put the front wheel in the fork so the clips are as pictured in the photo.
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05-10-21, 12:08 PM
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The skewer should go in front of the fork. The lever can move further inboard so it is tighter. The fork leg also can get in the way if the lever is angled across the leg. These two picture illustrate the problem nicely. On the suspension fork, the lever can’t be closed in any position except vertical.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
The idea that the lever is going to catch on something and open is a very old myth. In 40 years of riding (and 35 years of mountain biking) I’ve never caught anything on a quick release skewer. The chances of opening one through some kind of impact is infinitesimal small.
One a MTB I face both QR levers (on my now-ancient 26er and 29er) backwards.
