Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the May's Giveaway: Win the LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit


Adding quick releases
#1
I have a cheap, no-name mountain bike that I've put road tires on as my first step back to biking after many years away. I like riding this bike, even though it weighs a ton, and since I'm just getting back to riding, I'm not really willing to buy a more expensive (read: better quality) bike.

So my question is this: how difficult is it to change the wheel hubs to have quick releases? It's damn inconvenient to have to break out the wrench just to take the wheels off, even though I haven't had to do it more than a time or two. I'm just wondering whether it's worth the effort (and $$, if I can't do it myself).

Thanks,
Patty
  Reply
#2
You will need to change the axles to hollow ones.
This means stripping the old solid ones out, swapping over the cones, bearings, assembling and adjusting.
You must make sure you get the right length of axle and if re-using the old cones then the threads have to be the same.

See:- http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_an-z.html#axleset

The new axles must NOT protrude beyond the dropout outer edges or the quick release will NOT grip!
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
Hi,

I think I have the perfect solution for you. My company, Coombs Cycling Technologies is debuting a quick release adapter for bicycles with solid, threaded axles like the one you own at Interbike in Vegas on September 22nd (booth 5779). They should be available at your local shop or online around the beginning of the year.

You don't need to convert your hub to a hollow hub. It's simple, all you have to do is remove the nuts that are currently on your bike and replace them with these adpaters. No tools required. http://www.axlerelease.com.

Rudy
  Reply
#4
That reminds me. When I were a lad! we used these:-
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Unbranded-3-8-Inch-Wing-Nuts-for-Nutted-Axle-Rear-17523.htm
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#5
(09-09-2010, 03:51 PM)cyclerUK Wrote:  That reminds me. When I were a lad! we used these:-
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Unbranded-3-8-Inch-Wing-Nuts-for-Nutted-Axle-Rear-17523.htm

In my experience these always end up with the wings broken off and/or your wheels being stolen.
I also saw a rider rip his calf open on one of these.
Sorry to be a Jeremiah!
  Reply
#6
Patty;

For the front, just buy a new wheel with QR; about $30-.

For the rear - don't do it.

Do invest in tires with Kevlar (I use Bell brand, available at Walmart, Amazon and many other places).

Do invest in SLIME or SLIME tubes.
Nigel
  Reply
#7
I second the good, Kevlar-belted tyres. Most tyres nowadays have some sort of guards except for really lightweight race tyres (which you are not going to use) and probably really cheap ones (which you should not use). The only advantage of a quick release is the ability to get the wheel out quickly. Unless you have to do that daily I'd stick with the nuts and carry a hex wrench (together with the spare tube). QR wheels have the tendency to go AWOL....
I guess there is a reason why people buy things like PitLock.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
4,993
06-29-2024, 11:20 AM
Last Post: Jesper
 
5,553
04-28-2020, 06:00 PM
Last Post: Zviedrs
 
11,777
01-30-2016, 12:15 PM
Last Post: fishboy316
 
13,309
12-04-2015, 09:41 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
SpeedBikeNut32
11,187
01-20-2015, 10:02 PM
Last Post: SpeedBikeNut32
 
8,689
10-03-2014, 07:53 PM
Last Post: jmullen0401
 
10,739
09-29-2014, 11:48 PM
Last Post: DaveM

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What was your first bicycle?
Today 01:45 AM
Effective Breathing Method I use to go u...
Yesterday 11:50 PM
"There's been better times
Yesterday 10:48 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
Yesterday 12:47 AM
First long distance ride..
05-31-2025 10:33 PM
Is anyone riding with music?
05-31-2025 10:12 PM
Great Giro
05-31-2025 09:57 PM
Rusty chain inspite of cleaning,lubing
05-31-2025 09:54 PM
What are your best tips for long rides?
05-31-2025 06:26 PM
Massive Chainring redux
05-30-2025 06:47 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Criminal
18 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
17 posts
no avatar 3. Flowrider
16 posts
no avatar 4. Painkiller
15 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
14 posts