Worthwhile Skewer upgrade
02-26-19, 05:45 AM
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Worthwhile Skewer upgrade
I've been looking for a while for some better QR skewers for my GX1. Currently it just has the stock external cam cheap skewers which have started to rust and feel pretty horrible.
I was considering either the Shimano M8000 internal cam skewers or the DT Swiss Rws steel skewers but I have heard of some horror stories of people over tightening them and stripping them out.
Any recommendations? What do you run?
I was considering either the Shimano M8000 internal cam skewers or the DT Swiss Rws steel skewers but I have heard of some horror stories of people over tightening them and stripping them out.
Any recommendations? What do you run?
02-26-19, 06:39 AM
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I really like both of those options. But they came with wheels I bought. I can't imagine stripping the DT skewers. My most recent skewer purchase was some Hope skewers
02-26-19, 07:52 AM
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I was set to order the DT Swiss RWS but then I saw
02-26-19, 08:13 AM
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Do you have horizontal dropouts? DT has a new design, although maybe it's only on the TA skewers. They tighten up fine without stripping the handle. I think it takes a lot stronger person than I am to break one. Or tightening without the handle fully engaged.
The shimano skewers are really nice, it's a good choice.
The shimano skewers are really nice, it's a good choice.
02-26-19, 08:18 AM
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Do you have horizontal dropouts? DT has a new design, although maybe it's only on the TA skewers. They tighten up fine without stripping the handle. I think it takes a lot stronger person than I am to break one. Or tightening without the handle fully engaged.
The shimano skewers are really nice, it's a good choice.
The shimano skewers are really nice, it's a good choice.
02-26-19, 09:07 AM
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I was actually considering a skewer upgrade for the rear of my jamis renegade. was unsure if the dt swiss would work or not!
02-26-19, 09:26 AM
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As you mention- Shimano skewers as they are relatively inexpensive and very strong. There is just no upside to the external cam.
I have internal cam skewers for all my QR bikes(105, Ultegra, Deore, Sanshin, SunTour). And I have slowly changed over to new Shimano QRs for my wife's and kid's bikes too.
I have internal cam skewers for all my QR bikes(105, Ultegra, Deore, Sanshin, SunTour). And I have slowly changed over to new Shimano QRs for my wife's and kid's bikes too.
02-26-19, 09:38 AM
#8
Non omnino gravis
DTS RWS are fantastic. It is indeed possible to strip them out-- I pulled the threads out of the non-lever end cap on my rear skewer... because in their infinite wisdom, DTS made the end cap out of a single piece of aluminum. I guess because it looks fancy? I just took the caps off of an old pair of Shimano 105 skewers (which are a steel insert inside of a plastic outer) and put those on. And wouldn't you know it (not that it was a concern) but the Shimano caps are lighter than the DTS solid aluminum ones.
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02-26-19, 01:45 PM
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I've replaced all my external cam skewers with good old fashioned Ultegras. Peace of mind totally outweighs the few grams difference.
02-26-19, 03:02 PM
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DTS RWS are fantastic. It is indeed possible to strip them out-- I pulled the threads out of the non-lever end cap on my rear skewer... because in their infinite wisdom, DTS made the end cap out of a single piece of aluminum. I guess because it looks fancy? I just took the caps off of an old pair of Shimano 105 skewers (which are a steel insert inside of a plastic outer) and put those on. And wouldn't you know it (not that it was a concern) but the Shimano caps are lighter than the DTS solid aluminum ones.
02-26-19, 04:51 PM
#12
Non omnino gravis
Perhaps there is some difference in construction between the "road" and "mountain" version of the DTS RWS skewers. I have the "mountain" version, and the toothed part that makes contact with the dropout is steel, free-floating, and a completely separate part from the ratchet mechanism. I just pulled my front skewer to confirm, and there is no movement of the toothed ring when the handle is rotated. The non-handle side is rigid and should not rotate, as you hold that in place manually anyway. The skewer only needs to have a free-floating ring on one side, and the RWS has that.
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02-27-19, 05:36 AM
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DTS RWS are fantastic. It is indeed possible to strip them out-- I pulled the threads out of the non-lever end cap on my rear skewer... because in their infinite wisdom, DTS made the end cap out of a single piece of aluminum. I guess because it looks fancy? I just took the caps off of an old pair of Shimano 105 skewers (which are a steel insert inside of a plastic outer) and put those on. And wouldn't you know it (not that it was a concern) but the Shimano caps are lighter than the DTS solid aluminum ones.
The main reason I was looking into these was the claims that they can apply a greater clamping force than a cam assisted skewer but as with any 'different' systems I am often skeptical as to whether the innovation is a real improvement over existing design.
02-27-19, 07:38 AM
#14
Non omnino gravis
I would, yes. The clamping strength is as good as you get for a normal QR wheel. They’re easy to
put on and take off, and they look good. The only weak point is the solid aluminum end, and they’re not the only company to do that.
put on and take off, and they look good. The only weak point is the solid aluminum end, and they’re not the only company to do that.
02-27-19, 07:53 AM
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Perhaps there is some difference in construction between the "road" and "mountain" version of the DTS RWS skewers. I have the "mountain" version, and the toothed part that makes contact with the dropout is steel, free-floating, and a completely separate part from the ratchet mechanism. I just pulled my front skewer to confirm, and there is no movement of the toothed ring when the handle is rotated. The non-handle side is rigid and should not rotate, as you hold that in place manually anyway. The skewer only needs to have a free-floating ring on one side, and the RWS has that.
Perhaps my skewers are DT Swiss but some lesser model without the ability of the toothed ring to remain stationary on the handled side. To me, this makes these cool looking skewers only usable on steel beater bikes where the dropouts are already tore up.
Also, I might mention that the “axle” on these skewers is about 0.1 or 0.2mm thinner than Shimano. This makes them just a bit weaker I think, and more prone to squeaking.
02-27-19, 08:11 AM
#16
Non omnino gravis
Yeah, then the Giant branded and the DTS are very different. I've had mine 18+ months, three different wheelsets, and at least 9,000 miles-- no squeaks, no real issues. I purchased mine because I have a QR frame and fork with disc brakes, and removing and reinstalling wheels was giving me almost constant disc brake squeak. The DTS RWS is as close as I can get to thru-axle, and has performed as advertised.
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02-27-19, 02:57 PM
#17
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I put hex socket head 'less QR' Skewers on in place of the QR .. have the multi tool in the pannier, I remove when parking the bike..
if worried about over tightening ... the 'Nut' on the other side, if aluminum can be replaced with a steel one..
if worried about over tightening ... the 'Nut' on the other side, if aluminum can be replaced with a steel one..
02-28-19, 02:36 AM
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An update on this, I decided that I would try a DT Swiss RWS and have currently just ordered one for the front to start with. I'll see if I like it and if I do I'll get one for the rear too. Hopefully arriving today!
I'll likely use the nut from the stock skewers as they're steel - peace of mind.
I'll likely use the nut from the stock skewers as they're steel - peace of mind.
