Protocol: Axle clamp position or direction
#1
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Protocol: Axle clamp position or direction
Edit: Quick Release Wheel axle levers.
I am sure there is a 'proper' or traditional way to close these levers.
(Think of displaying a watch: it's nearly ALWAYS 10:10' on the minute and second hand.)
It appears they are always on the Left Hand side.
Often they are curved: inward?
Educate me.
Thanks,
Coop
I am sure there is a 'proper' or traditional way to close these levers.
(Think of displaying a watch: it's nearly ALWAYS 10:10' on the minute and second hand.)
It appears they are always on the Left Hand side.
Often they are curved: inward?
Educate me.
Thanks,
Coop
Last edited by SharpByCoop; 03-22-24 at 08:23 AM.
#2
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Are you referring to hub quick releases? Mine are always on the left, front one when closed facing toward the rear; level or slightly angled up; rear one facing forward, angled up across the chain stay. But you'll see lots of other ways.
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There's no standard.
It's more of a cultural thing.
Also... your question implies that people stage their bikes for photos differently than how they ride them. For quick release levers (we are talking about quick release levers, aren't we?), I've never heard of anyone changing the lever position for a photo, but there is a "tradition" of trying to get the cranks or inner tube stems in a more pleasing position for a photo.
Personally, I like the front QR lever to point to the rear, and the rear QR lever to point forward.
About the only standard is to place the lever on the left side of the bike... but like many standards, some folks prefer other standards.
Steve in Peoria
It's more of a cultural thing.
Also... your question implies that people stage their bikes for photos differently than how they ride them. For quick release levers (we are talking about quick release levers, aren't we?), I've never heard of anyone changing the lever position for a photo, but there is a "tradition" of trying to get the cranks or inner tube stems in a more pleasing position for a photo.
Personally, I like the front QR lever to point to the rear, and the rear QR lever to point forward.
About the only standard is to place the lever on the left side of the bike... but like many standards, some folks prefer other standards.
Steve in Peoria
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The shop I worked in wanted the QR levers to face rearward. The logic being that if a forward facing lever caught on something it would open.
There were Campagnolo catalog pictures in a recent thread showing the rear QR lever positioned on the Drive side. I've always put it on the left, the derailleur side seems pretty busy already.
There were Campagnolo catalog pictures in a recent thread showing the rear QR lever positioned on the Drive side. I've always put it on the left, the derailleur side seems pretty busy already.
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I don't like the admittedly small chance of snagging something with a forward-facing QR lever. I also like to be able to grab a fork or a stay while tightening a lever.
Front: always the left side, roughly parallel to the fork. (A bit arbitrary because of the curve at the end of the fork blade.)
Rear: always parallel to the seat stay, not the chainstay, for the reasons I mentioned in my first two sentences. Exception: with low-hanging panniers, facing the QR lever downward, rearward, or something between does make sense.
Bottom line: as others mentioned, it is more about aesthetics and personal preference than anything else.
Front: always the left side, roughly parallel to the fork. (A bit arbitrary because of the curve at the end of the fork blade.)
Rear: always parallel to the seat stay, not the chainstay, for the reasons I mentioned in my first two sentences. Exception: with low-hanging panniers, facing the QR lever downward, rearward, or something between does make sense.
Bottom line: as others mentioned, it is more about aesthetics and personal preference than anything else.
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I'm glad to hear that there's no standard on this - I had no idea if I was doing mine correctly.
My suggestion would be on the left side of the bike, facing rearward. This way, they won't snag, and you can work them with your right hand.
My suggestion would be on the left side of the bike, facing rearward. This way, they won't snag, and you can work them with your right hand.
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In reality, as long as the clamping pressure is sufficient, it doesn't really matter. To be uppity and "correct", there are rules, however (scroll down to #41.)
And what is this left/right business? There's a drive side and a non-drive side ;-)
And what is this left/right business? There's a drive side and a non-drive side ;-)
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I have seen mention, probably somewhere here, that a rear facing rear lever could be tapped and dislodged by an unscrupulous rider from behind. Don't know the truth to it...if it can happen without both riders being knocked off balance, but perhaps.
I place my rears between the stays and the front aligns with the fork blade. I have hex head (or safety keyed) skewers on about as many as have q/r.
I place my rears between the stays and the front aligns with the fork blade. I have hex head (or safety keyed) skewers on about as many as have q/r.
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I've never believed the old wives' tale about a forward-facing rear QR snagging something and then opening up. On my bike there isn't any space between the chain stay and the rear QR lever anyway--it overlaps the chain stay (using the QR this way allows me to use leverage by grasping the chain stay with my hand as I close the QR). Even if it didn't overlap the stay, the 1/8" diameter twig that could somehow get caught is just going to snap off anyway. It can't exert enough lateral pressure necessary to open the QR.
Anyway, at least Dura Ace has seen the light--making the branding on the lever legible when the rear QR is facing forward:
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I was concerned with theft so I replaced my QR skewers with hex bolts. So there.
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I keep thinking of this image, which implies "three o'clock"
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#18
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Well, I am REALLY glad to have asked this question. It appears I am not alone in wondering.
I think there are 12 assorted positions in 17 posts. LOL!
Rule 41 in the link from The Velominati would appear correct, except that ENTIRE page is tongue-in-cheek postulation.
Magnetic North and cultural preference aren't wrong.
Thank you ALL.
Coop
I think there are 12 assorted positions in 17 posts. LOL!
Rule 41 in the link from The Velominati would appear correct, except that ENTIRE page is tongue-in-cheek postulation.
Magnetic North and cultural preference aren't wrong.
Thank you ALL.
Coop
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Rule 41 in the link from The Velominati would appear correct, except that ENTIRE page is tongue-in-cheek postulation.
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