To quick release or not to quick release?
#1
Retro-nerd
Thread Starter
To quick release or not to quick release?
Exhibit A. 700cc wheel built with quick release skewers
Exhibit B. 700cc wheel built with a bolt on hub
Which is better to have on a commuter bicycle? Is there a preference? Is the performance of a bolt-on hub better? Is the only advantage to skewers is the ability to remove the wheel quicker?
Exhibit B. 700cc wheel built with a bolt on hub
Which is better to have on a commuter bicycle? Is there a preference? Is the performance of a bolt-on hub better? Is the only advantage to skewers is the ability to remove the wheel quicker?
__________________
Would you like a dream with that?
Would you like a dream with that?
#2
RacingBear
Bolton, harder to steal. Not by much, but might prevent someone just walking by and removing the wheel.
Ofcourse if locked properly it shouldn't be a problem.
Ofcourse if locked properly it shouldn't be a problem.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queanbeyan, Australia.
Posts: 4,135
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3450 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
289 Posts
People are less likely to steal a bolt on wheel just for the fun of it but you can always run a chain or u-lock through them anyway. One thing I've found with bolt on wheels on my beater is that its harder to get the wheels aligned in the frame because as you bolt on the wheel the rotational force moves the wheel around and it will come out of alignment. This may have something to do with dodgy dropouts on the cheap bike though. One minor advantage of solid axles however is that they don't compress under load like hollow axles for quick releases do so your bearing adjustments don't have to be compensated for.
Regards, Anthony
Regards, Anthony
#4
Prefers Cicero
Quick release is handy if you need to take the wheel off to fit the bike in a car, or if you want to reduce the theft appeal of your bike by removing the wheel and taking it with you. I also see some bikes locked with the QR front wheel placed beside the frame so one lock can go through both wheels and the frame. However I use a cable for the front wheel, so I don't do that. I think a bolt is better if you don't plan to remove the wheel very often, but you still need a cable so you can lock both wheels. It's not that hard to remove a bolted on wheel
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Waterloo/Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 16
Bikes: Trek 4500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is the bolt on hub wheel come with a hex nut (old-school style)? If it does, buy a wheel with quick release skewers and add on a bolt on skewers (released with an allen wrench) that nashbar sells for normal commuting purposes. That way you only have to carry small allen key instead of bulky hex wrench, when you commute if your tire happens to puncture and you need to repair it. Also, not many people will be able to steal your wheels. (unless they happened to carry allen keys with them). Also, as AnthonyG said above, wheels with skewers are a lot easier to align the wheels than bolts.
Bolt on quick release skewers at nashbar
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
Bolt on quick release skewers at nashbar
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 757
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The main problem with bolt on hubs is that there aren't that many of them. I have bolt on Surly hubs on my fixed gear bike which doubles as my main commuter bike, but I still run a cable through the wheels anyway. Surly makes a nice little wrench called the Jethro Tool that is small enough to throw in your pack so getting the wheels on and off is no big deal. But anyway, like I said, there are very few bolt on hubs available out there so it really limits your choices unless you are riding a fixed gear bike. (There are bolt on skewers that replace the QRs, but the only ones I have seen lately are really cheapo).
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
In high crime areas where people will probably mess with your bike I prefer bolts. I use track nuts with a built-in washer and carry a ring wrench to tighten the bolt properly.
In lower crime areas I use QRs to save on tools and speed up repairs.
QRs are better at handling cracked axles, they hold the assembly together until you get home, but with freehubs, axle failure is almost unknown.
I find that wheel alignment is the same for either method.
Locking skewers are probably the best solution.
How tight can you get an axle bolt using an allen key?
In lower crime areas I use QRs to save on tools and speed up repairs.
QRs are better at handling cracked axles, they hold the assembly together until you get home, but with freehubs, axle failure is almost unknown.
I find that wheel alignment is the same for either method.
Locking skewers are probably the best solution.
How tight can you get an axle bolt using an allen key?
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Posts: 541
Bikes: Nothing special, but it works.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
More locking skewers:
https://www.pinheadcomponents.com/
I use these. Two skewers and a seatpost binder bolt are packaged together. They also make a lock for threadless headsets.
https://www.pinheadcomponents.com/
I use these. Two skewers and a seatpost binder bolt are packaged together. They also make a lock for threadless headsets.
#10
Avatar out of order.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North of the border, just
Posts: 895
Bikes: Fuji Absolut '04 / Fuji 'Marlboro' Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't understand the "bolts deter theft" idea. A thief is going to carry a dremel, hack saw, auto jack, and cable cutter, but not have a wrench handy?
Everybody gets flats sooner later. It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
Everybody gets flats sooner later. It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
__________________
Cars kill 45,000 Americans every year.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 190
Bikes: Trek 930 mutt (beater) Gary Fisher '98 Paragon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MarkS
I don't understand the "bolts deter theft" idea. A thief is going to carry a dremel, hack saw, auto jack, and cable cutter, but not have a wrench handy?
Everybody gets flats sooner later. It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
Everybody gets flats sooner later. It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
That said, I have QR on all my bikes, save one.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: northern California
Posts: 5,603
Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MarkS
I don't understand the "bolts deter theft" idea. A thief is going to carry a dremel, hack saw, auto jack, and cable cutter, but not have a wrench handy?
Everybody gets flats sooner later. It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
Everybody gets flats sooner later. It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
#13
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
Originally Posted by MarkS
It was messing with a bolt on a tire in the dark of night that convinced me that I wanted a bike with quick release wheels.
Carrying in addition to a spare tube, a 6" adjustable wrench, a few zip ties and a screw driver will handle 99% of roadside repairs. It really isn't that hard.
#14
Avatar out of order.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North of the border, just
Posts: 895
Bikes: Fuji Absolut '04 / Fuji 'Marlboro' Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
How hard is "messing with a bolt" under any conceivable road side repair scenario? Unless carrying any tools is too great a burden.
Carrying in addition to a spare tube, a 6" adjustable wrench, a few zip ties and a screw driver will handle 99% of roadside repairs. It really isn't that hard.
Carrying in addition to a spare tube, a 6" adjustable wrench, a few zip ties and a screw driver will handle 99% of roadside repairs. It really isn't that hard.
If you're concerned about real thieves, then you're going to have to get locking skewers, carry a cable or move the front tire to the back with the u-bolt. If you're concerned about mischief makers, you can carry a lightweight gun-lock to lock the front tire to the frame.
__________________
Cars kill 45,000 Americans every year.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
#15
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
Originally Posted by MarkS
But even once the initial nut is broken, I need something like a socket to get the torque to take it off and put it back on securely. If you you've got the ham-fists to do it with a 6" wrench, more power to you.
I have no issue about which is better theft deterrent, just that making roadside repairs "easier" harldy seems to be a significant reason to change to quick release wheels.
#16
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Good Gosh! How much torque do you apply to a wheel bolt? My method is snug it up, and then a little tad more has worked for over 50 years; could put adequate torque on when I was 8 (and I'm a weakling)and never have had a problem with not enough; only too much torque on the easily stripped nuts that fit on Sturmey Archer 3 speed axles.
I have no issue about which is better theft deterrent, just that making roadside repairs "easier" harldy seems to be a significant reason to change to quick release wheels.
I have no issue about which is better theft deterrent, just that making roadside repairs "easier" harldy seems to be a significant reason to change to quick release wheels.
#17
Avatar out of order.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North of the border, just
Posts: 895
Bikes: Fuji Absolut '04 / Fuji 'Marlboro' Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So the reason for the popularity of QR is just people's unwillingness to carry 6" wrench's?
The night I got stuck, I finally had to walk over to a nearby Pep Boy's (what luck!) and buy a long arm socket wrench. Then I had to jump up and down on it for about a half hour. The other factor is that my older bike had "vague" drop-outs, making it harder to know if you got the wheel back in right.
The night I got stuck, I finally had to walk over to a nearby Pep Boy's (what luck!) and buy a long arm socket wrench. Then I had to jump up and down on it for about a half hour. The other factor is that my older bike had "vague" drop-outs, making it harder to know if you got the wheel back in right.
__________________
Cars kill 45,000 Americans every year.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by georgiaboy
Exhibit A. 700cc wheel built with quick release skewers
Exhibit B. 700cc wheel built with a bolt on hub
Which is better to have on a commuter bicycle? Is there a preference? Is the performance of a bolt-on hub better? Is the only advantage to skewers is the ability to remove the wheel quicker?
Exhibit B. 700cc wheel built with a bolt on hub
Which is better to have on a commuter bicycle? Is there a preference? Is the performance of a bolt-on hub better? Is the only advantage to skewers is the ability to remove the wheel quicker?
#19
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
Originally Posted by MarkS
So the reason for the popularity of QR is just people's unwillingness to carry 6" wrench's?
Originally Posted by MarkS
The night I got stuck, I finally had to walk over to a nearby Pep Boy's (what luck!) and buy a long arm socket wrench. Then I had to jump up and down on it for about a half hour. The other factor is that my older bike had "vague" drop-outs, making it harder to know if you got the wheel back in right.
Last edited by I-Like-To-Bike; 03-13-06 at 08:20 PM.
#20
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
How long was that bolt allowed to rust-weld itself to the axle? Was it soaked in salt water for a few months? Did you or anybody else do any maintenance on the bike for the previous couple decades? I cannot figure out how a bolt could be that frozen on a bicycle axle.
How about some ape with a long breaker bar being determined to make sure it doesn't come loose. Too often folks with little mechanical experience tend to overtighten things.
It really doesn't take a whole lot of effort to snug up a bolt well enough to do the trick. And a 6 inch crescent wrench, will do just fine.
#21
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
How about some ape with a long breaker bar being determined to make sure it doesn't come loose. Too often folks with little mechanical experience tend to overtighten things.
#22
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
I hate the fact that two of my bikes have seats with quick releases. Talk about tempting some nimrod to yank my seat.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#24
Avatar out of order.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North of the border, just
Posts: 895
Bikes: Fuji Absolut '04 / Fuji 'Marlboro' Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
I suspect it's the same reason knobby tires and full suspension gizmos are sold on so many new bikes whose users would be better served without. Marketing to be sporty, and has nothing to do with usefullness, and in many cases is counterproductive to actual use.
How long was that bolt allowed to rust-weld itself to the axle? Was it soaked in salt water for a few months? Did you or anybody else do any maintenance on the bike for the previous couple decades? I cannot figure out how a bolt could be that frozen on a bicycle axle.
__________________
Cars kill 45,000 Americans every year.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
This is like losing a war every year, except without the parades.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 757
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Nachoman
I hate the fact that two of my bikes have seats with quick releases. Talk about tempting some nimrod to yank my seat.
QR seatpost clamps are for nimrods.