QUICK RELEASE
LESSON
One of the most
frequently asked questions when someone gets a new bike
is "How in the world do I get the #&*%@ front wheel
off?" Just kidding! They don't really swear...much,
nevertheless the question still remains. The procedure
for taking the wheels off your bike is relatively easy.
We'll try to cover it in detail for you!
First things first,
let's get acquainted with our friend the quick release hub.
The axle of both your front and (most of the time) rear
wheels are hollow allowing a "skewer" to pass through.
The skewer has two springs and a nut. When the skewer
is placed in the hub the two springs (one on each side of
the hub) small ends should be pointing inward. Refer to
Fig. 1 for more detail.
(Fig. 1)
Both of you quick
release levers should be on the same side of the bike (opposite
side of the derailleurs). This helps when trying to
install the wheels!
Okay, let's get
to the nitty gritty! The first thing we have to do
when we try to remove either of the wheels is disconnect
the brakes.
Mountain
Road
On a road bike it's
very easy, just grab the brake release switch (Step 1) and
lift it up (Step 2).
Step 1
Step 2
On a mountain bike
it's a little more complex. First, grab the brake
cable noodle and pull away from the wheel while pushing
the brake arm toward the rim. There is a slot for
the brake cable to slip through (Step 1). Pull the cable
out and separate the brakes so the tire can clear the brake
pads (Step 2).
Step 1
Step 2
It's the same procedure
whether you're working on the front or back wheel. How easy
is that?!
Now, let's tackle
that pesky quick release skewer! First, grab the lever
and pull it away from the fork so it arcs down (Step 1).
You'll feel the tension ease-up when you reach the halfway
point. This works the same way on all bikes with quick
release hubs!
Step 1
Once the lever is
loose (Fig. 2), hold the nut firmly in place as you turn
the lever counter-clockwise five or six times (Step 2).
DO NOT turn it so many times that the nut separates from
the skewer!
(Fig. 2)
Step 2
If you have followed
these steps, you should now be able to lift the fork
off of the hub (Step 3). If the wheel does not drop
easily out of the fork, try loosening the skewer some more.
Just one or two more turns of the lever should do the trick.
Step 3
When you're taking
off the rear wheel make sure the chain is on the smallest
cog on the rear (Fig. 3).
(Fig. 3)
Follow Steps 1 and
2 just like you would for the front wheel. When it
comes time to take the wheel out of the frame, pull the
rear derailleur back to let the wheel drop down (Step 3a)
freely (Fig. 4).
Step 3a
(Fig. 4)
That was easier
than you thought, huh? It just takes a little practice
and then you'll be the envy of all your friends! But
wait, it's not over! You still have to put the wheels
back on if you ever want to go riding again right?
Let's do that now.
All you need to
do is just the reverse of what you did to take it off!
Make sure the axle is all the way in the dropouts!!!
When it comes time to tighten the skewers down, hold
the lever so it's in-line with the fork. The lever
should be pointing to the floor (Fig. 5)
(Fig. 5)
Hold the lever as
you tighten the nut. You should be going clockwise.
Remember, righty tighty, lefty loosie! When the nut
starts to make contact with the dropout pull the lever up
in an arcing motion. You should start to feel resistance
about halfway up (Fig. 6). It will take some practice
to get the feel of this.
(Fig. 6)
Once you get to
this point, close the lever the rest of the way with the
heel of your hand (Step 4). If it seems too hard to
close, it probably is! Don't force it shut!
It should take about 12 pounds of pressure to release the
lever. Over-tightening can lead to your skewer breaking!
Step 4
Congratulations!
You now know how to properly use your quick release skewers.
If you had problems with this lesson, or don't fully understand
how it works, please consult a professional bicycle mechanic
for assistance!
Hope you enjoyed
the lesson!
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