Do Skewers On Bikes Matter?

Skewers are an often overlooked component on the bike, even though

they can be a great way to reduce significant weight for a small price

.

Do QR skewers make a difference?

A QR skewer with a brass washer will have a smoother operation and also more solid clamping action. Although this

may not make a difference to most people

, the quality shows up in the details. This “brass washer” concept also applies for seatpost QR levers, but that is a story for another day…

What do bike skewers do?

The Halfords Quick Release Bike Skewers are used to

remove and replace bike wheels from your bike without the use of tools

.

Do I need a bike trainer skewer?

If your bike currently uses a quick release, we do ask that you use the

provided trainer

skewer. This skewer is designed to fit snugly into the cups on our trainer frames, which will ensure your bike is held securely while you ride.

Do bike skewers come in different sizes?

Most axles use a 5mm thick skewer.

Skewers for wheels made for suspension forks may be 9mm (front) and 10mm (rear) in diameter. Skewers for seatposts and stems are commonly 6mm in diameter

.

Are all road bike skewers the same size?

Generally speaking, the answer is no. Not all skewers are compatible with all quick release wheels.

There are different diameters and widths of skewers

. Notably, many downhill bikes have beefier skewers that are built with a much larger diameter to be more durable.

Should you grease bike skewers?

The skewers don’t rotate or bear any load, so

they don’t strictly need lubrication

, however as HovR says a thin film of oil helps keep them rust free.

Are quick release skewers safe?

Incorrect quick-release use is dangerous because these mechanisms hold the wheels in place

. The most common mistake is simply turning the lever like a wing nut until the wheel seems tight. Used this way the lever and wheel can loosen as you ride and can come off unexpectedly.

Which way should quick release face?

Are thru axles better?

1.

Thru axles are safer

– This is probably the biggest benefit for the average cyclist. Thru axles improve safety by making it nearly impossible for the front wheel to come out of the dropouts while you’re moving. The dropouts can’t lift off of the axles vertically because they have holes instead of a u-shaped slots.

Why are axles better?

Thru-axles

increase the rigidity of the wheel-frame interface and allow more accurate wheel placement

. This is particularly important for brake discs, where small pad clearances mean that a slight misalignment will cause rubbing. They also eliminate the risk of the wheel coming loose from the quick-release dropouts.

Can you change QR to thru axle?

some manufacturers offer frames have removable rear dropouts that can be swapped for through-axle

, quick release other style dropouts. With some forks it is possible and cheaper (but never cheap) to replace just the lowers.

Can I ride with my training skewer?

Yes, the trainer skewer is safe for road use

if you don’t want to swap it out every time you take your bike outside.

Can you ride with a Wahoo skewer?

When In Doubt, Swap It Out. If you are using the aluminum skewer (it has a black handle instead of shiny metal) on your Wahoo Kickr (or any trainer) I would highly advise you to swap to a heavy-duty steel skewer, such as this one which Wahoo sells. Stay away from lightweight titanium skewers when riding indoors as well …

Can you use any bike on a trainer?

Most direct drive trainers are compatible with mountain bikes, as long as you have the correct adapters for your bike and a cassette that is compatible with the drivetrain on your bike

. Here are tips for setting up your mountain bike on a direct drive trainer: You will need an extra cassette.

What length skewers do I need?

Are quick release skewers standard size?

A quick release wheel has a hollow axle, 9mm in diameter at the front and 10mm at the rear, with a

5mm diameter

skewer that passes through it.

Can you put quick release wheels on any bike?

No, not all bikes have quick-release wheels

. Some still require you to use tools to remove the wheels.

What is the difference between quick release and thru axle?

How do I know what size axle I need for my bike?

Measure the straight length of your axle shaft

. Do not include the axle head or tapered spacer, if there is one. Axle length is not the same as hub length. A bike with a 12×142 hub standard will have a significantly longer axle since it will have to go through the frame on both sides of the 142mm wide hub.

What is 9mm quick release?

How tight should bike skewers be?

It should be

tight enough that it requires some force to get it closed, but not so much that you feel like you’re giving birth

. The closed QR lever should come be positioned before or after the fork in the front and between the chain stay and seat stay of the rear triangle, or just below the chain stay.

Should I grease my thru axle?

Although it is not required,

it is recommended that you apply a light amount of grease to your Mountain Bike axles

. You can apply it to the threads, and also on the base of the axles themselves. This not only makes them easier to install and remove, it also helps prevent rust and corrosion.

Are quick release wheels safe?

You need to understand and use your wheel quick releases properly, because

incorrect use is dangerous since they hold the wheels in place

. The most common mistake is simply turning the lever like a nut until the wheel seems tight. Used this way, the lever and wheel can loosen as you ride leading to catastrophe.

When should I replace bike skewers?

As long as you have a solid clamping action when you close the skewer

, you are fine. However, if someone questions this, they should replace the skewer. Skewers, like forks, stems, and handlebars, are no place to cut corners.

Do all bikes have skewers?

Thru-axles have been in mountain bikes since around 2010 and are now common in road bikes as well. But

there are still many bikes that have skewers

. Learn a little about the difference.

What are thru axles on bikes?

A thru-axle (TA) is

a wheel attachment system that secures a wheel on a hub between a pair of dropouts on a bicycle frame or fork

. The thru-axle threads directly through the fork/frame holes and into the wheel hub, which makes the wheel secure from detaching.