 Tools:
Nowt!
Time: 5-10 Minutes
Quick
release (QR) is used on MTBs to speed up the
removal and replacement of wheels (and seatposts).
It is also one of the most commonly misused
components. Bear in mind that if your wheel comes
off while you're riding you're pretty much
buggered, so make sure you know how to use QR
properly. This article is for anyone who has ever
tried to open a QR with a spanner…
Releasing
The Quick Release
The closed
QR lever should be perpendicular to the ground,
but ideally pointing slightly backwards, if it has
been properly tightened. To undo it, simply flip
the lever (I say flip, but there should be some
resistance) down. The QR is now open - no spanners
required! Depending on the type of forks you have,
you may have to unscrew the lever (you'll need to
hold the knob on the other side of the axle) a
couple of turns so you can pull the wheel out of
the dropouts. Don't undo the QR completely as all
the springy bits could fall out.
Tightening
The Quick Release
First, make
sure the axle is sitting squarely in the dropouts.
Now you need to hold the knob on the opposite
side, set the QR lever at a 90-degree angle from
the bike and then start to screw the lever round
to tighten the QR. DO NOT tighten it all the way,
as it will easily come undone if you just use the
lever to screw it completely tight. Get it to a
point where you start to feel some resistance.
Then flip the lever up (this should require some
force and get progressively harder) so it is
perpendicular to the ground, but either pointing
up or slightly backwards. Note that most levers
are curved and the curve should be towards the
bike when the QR is closed.
It may take
a couple of goes to get the tension right, but
essentially it shouldn't be loose or poking out
from the bike when it's tightened correctly.
|
Bookmark
This
Print This