Should I hammer it?
 

I cannot remove the switch lever tool installed on my Checkpoint's rear wheel. I tried finessing it and pulling hard but it appears jammed. My next usual modus operandi in these situations is a BFH unless there's a trick to getting it off.

Try the LFH first.

Seriously though, just give it a tap with a rubber mallet to start. You can also pull out the tool and use a 6mm hex wrench in its place for more leverage. Just make sure the wrench is fully engaged when you crank on it.

Also check that the axle is greased when you reinstall it.

I don’t store the lever on the rear axle of my Domane and Checkpoint because it is a pain to remove. I keep it on the front. I should just leave it home. The multi tool has a 6 mm.

It help to grease the inside of the axle. The o-ring and rough hex surface can provide enough friction to make removal a pain. I also found using two hands helps. Pull from the center and use the other hand to jiggle the lever part.

On my Fuel EX I pack the lever but use the multi tool on the trail.

First torch it with a blowtorch until the paint bubbles ... then hit it with an axe.

Since the bike is brand-new, I might call the shop where I just bought it and ask for advice, or ask if they can show you how to use the device properly. But if you think hammering small parts with a big hammer is the best option ... please video the whole thing .... for our edification.

100% this ^^^

:popcorn

I don't know what this is.

101% this ^^^

I believe he is talking about a removable lever used to unscrew the thru-axle. It's not removing.

just lucky I didn’t find out with a front flat on the road that it’s stuck. Mine is really wedged on. Will try tapping with rubber mallet later. Video online show guy snapping it off with a hard jerk but there’s also complaints about it sticking so I guess it’s a thing.

Ah. That sounds like more of a wedge thing to pry it out than a hammer thing.

For your consideration...I prefer thru-axles with non-removable levers, and I'm using these types of thru-axes on my gravel bike and MTB. My history with quick-release skewers on rim brake bikes has left me with the strong preference to not need an additional tool to remove a wheel. That said, with tubeless tires, flats can usually be fixed without needing to remove the wheel.

Possibly. I'm not familiar with the specific device in question. I suspect a Sawzall might get the job done, but the results might be less than ideal.

Exactly this. In the winter, when it's wet and I'm running a rear fender, I tend to ditch the saddlebag and stuff a tube, a minipump, and levers in my jacket pockets, and forget to bring the minitool that usually resides in my saddlebag. If I didn't have non-removeable levers, I'd be scrood.

Just for reference. This is how it’s suposed to release.

Bikes have definitely become too complicated for the average rider.

Probably works very well once you get some grease on it.

I know you meant this to be waggish, but it does make me think - "How much of their own work does the 'average rider' do?" And here I'm thinking of the actual average rider, not the average BF member, because we're way to one side of the distribution.

I have a coworker who was getting into road cycling, and because he has money, he bought The Good Stuff - a Cervelo and later a Wilier - but never learned how to fix a flat. I mean, AT ALL, not just on the road. He flatted on one ride, called his wife to pick him up, and then took the bike to the LBS to get the flat fixed. Is THAT what the "average rider" does? And if that's the case, isn't EVERYTHING "too complicated for the average rider"?

As someone who has spent pretty much all my time as a bike rider around other riders who are similarly enthusiastic about cycling, and probably have some racing experience, I would surmise that I might have a skewed perception of what an "average cyclist" is, in the bigger picture.

From my experience, Life is too complicated for the average person.

Extend the lever with a piece of PVC pipe. Torque = F x (lever arm)

If all I have is a fire pit, bellows, and rail tamper, do you think it will work?...

Same here. I was shocked at my coworker's attitude/approach. I mean, not knowing how to fix a flat? I have been riding since before cell phones and some places I rode have very limited traffic, so if I weren't self-sufficient for things like flat fixing, I'd have had to walk 3 miles or so uphill in cleats.

In both directions in the snow? :D

Seriously…I once had to change the flat of our club president so we wouldn’t be standing my the suit the road for 30 minutes?

Give the OP what he wants, people.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...abca7d913.jpeg