Anyone here actually run quick release axles on track ends?
 

Does anyone do this? Does your wheel slip? I'd like to hear any firsthand information that anyone has.

Yep on my mtb. It doesn't slip but I have surly tugnut on it so Its not that suprising

I know people who use one with dremeled out vertical dropouts ala sheldon brown without any problem. Really the differnce in force the qr has to withstand between mostly horizontal droupouts and trackends is pretty minimal.

If it did slip on a brakeless fixie though it would probably do so while you where skidding so you may not want to mess around with it. chain tensioners are relatively cheap and are nice for adjusting tension too.

Incidentally tracknuts are used on the track mainly because qr could be dangerous if it hooked in someones spokes and you don't need to do quick tire/wheel changes anyway.

I do on my Quickbeam no problems. But it is set up as a singlespeed not a fixie

I ride a qr rear on a couple of ss mtb conversions, one with horizontal drops, one with vertical ones. No problems.

Sheldon says no problem at http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

"Rear Wheel Installation

When your install the rear wheel, there are basically three things you need to adjust simultaneously:

* The wheel needs to be straight.

This basically means that the tire needs to be centered between the frame's chainstays. If you get it centered between the chainstays, it is properly aligned.
* The chain tension needs to be correct. (See previous section )

* The axle nuts or quick release skewer need to be tight."

Once again, a warning that really only applies to brakeless, yet one that we all sheepishly heed.

Geared bikes used to come with horizontal dropouts. The Bianchi Volpe and the Castro Valley both still do. And they have quick releases.

So what is the issue? Obviously the quick release is strong enough to have withstanded the stresses placed on it by a road bike. Why not a fixed gear? As long as I pay attention to whether my chain is flapping in the breeze or not, and as long as my chainline is nice and straight I don't think I have much to worry about with a quick release.

If I have brakes, that is.

Anyone who begins using QR on their track bike or fixie to avoid being unwittingly coercerd into using bolts by the man has my whole-hearted support. :D

Given the fact that there is more force applied to the quick release on a geared bike with horizontal dropouts, no it won't be a problem. I'm guessing that the forces applied on a track bike are only a fraction of the ones which are applied on a geared bike. Make sure the quick realase is tight, and it is good and steel.

IMHO you're always better off converting a quick release rear to a solid axle, because:

I've ridden a QR rear on a track for training. The QR would slip and require readjustment every now and then. This is without any real abuse and I'd seriously doubt you could skip and skid on one with much confidence. This could have been just a worn out/cheap QR or paint issue but it really was no fun.

I've also broken 'cheapo' qr axles on a singlespeed before. Solid axles are just a little beefier.

Its much easier to service a non-qr wheel as you don't need to allow for axle flex (this a pretty pathetic excuse though).

But I think the perception that it could slip, would probably play tricks with your mind, thus ruining your ride as you'll just keep checking your chain tension :)

The only thing I would add is that to use a good QR like a shimano or equivilent. The good steel ones tend not to slip.

whats the advantage of running a QR on a fixed gear?

the same as the advantage anywhere else. Its easier to remove the wheel and may be slightly lighter.

What are the disadvantages?

Slightly more theft vulnerable

Can be kicked open, caught on yer shants (joke)

Relies on a multi faceted mechanical device where only threads are needed.

Isn't really faster is it>? Not for wheel adjustment & tensioning, not for me anyway, the wrench is a better handle.

Not track legal

Personally, lower profile components suit my aesthetic needs & wants better, bolts look keener for me. I use allen keys on geared bikes, that or lockable skewers, not just the work bike either. To me a road bike looks much better with allen key skewers than QR

edit- I do like the wingnut style QR from back before I was born, but only if the rest of the ride were tricked out with similar antique components

It's definitely faster for me with the correct dropouts: pull to release, push to tighten again compared to loosen two bolts... tignten two bolts How is tensioning any slower with a qr? you put the wheel in place and clamp it shut as compared to putting the wheel in place and holding it there until you get the drive side bolt tightened.

Either way its not really a big difference outside of race situations. I really just did it because my wrench kept falling out of my bag and this way I can just leave the wrench at home.

SH sums up my thoughts

I ran a QR for a while, and I think as long as it's steel and an internal cam type, it should be fine. I did break a crappy AL external cam one, and that was a long walk home.

My friend has an old Bridgestone RB-1 (I think) that some one welded track ends on for a fixed gear trainer. It has a Surly flip-flop with a QR. Not a bad idea for that situation (training), but for shreding around on the streets, I give it a big "ehh."