genejockey 

Maybe we should just bring it full circle, and put big wings on the end of thru axles to make them easier to unscrew?

smd4

They probably developed the thru axle because of all the folks spinning their quick releases closed. Thru axles just make good use of all that extra work.

genejockey 

I have to say, I do like the precision of thru axles compared to QRs. Especially after my massive sprint (or maybe just my massive mass) keeps pulling the rear wheel off center on the bike with the chrome plated horizontal dropouts! I also find that on some bikes I have to be really careful in aligning the wheel in the dropouts before closing the QR. I don't know why, might be the shape of the dropouts.

squirtdad

To be more clear/accurate my point was more that wheel retention, safety tab or not, seems to have been enough of an issue that that thru axle is the standard for disc hubs now.(sure there are other benefits)

Dave Mayer

Exactly. At the Co-op and on the bike lanes we see this with terrifying frequency. A lot of riders attach their wheels by spinning the QR until it is sort of tight, without flipping of the lever. Scary.

The bike industry obviously saw this as well, and the associated liability. Thru-axles are not necessary to get wheels properly aligned in the fork, any idiot can accomplish this. But the way that folks were using QR levers incorrectly required another 'solution' that was idiot proof. Hence the PITA thru-axle.

smd4

Personally, never had that problem. Probably just not strong enough. That's what dropout adjusters are for, on the back. The front, of course, doesn't need them.

tomato coupe

So, even if this was the reason for switching to thru axles -- which it's not -- you're complaining that bike manufacturers made a change to make bikes safer?

smd4

Like reflectors? Have 'em all over your bike, do you?

tomato coupe

Your comments seem to have less and less relevancy to the issues being discussed.

smd4

So reflectors aren't a safety feature that annoy most of us?

Koyote

I gather that you ride a road bike, and you stated that you only ride when it's dry out. In those circumstances, I agree that rim brakes are all that's necessary. It's why my two road bikes have rim brakes, and I have no immediate plans to replace them with anything different.

What you do miss, though (as evidenced by your posts in other threads), is that some riders go off-tarmac, some ride in the rain, some ride through mud, some occasionally do steep descents in all of those conditions, and they do it with fat tires -- all of which are better handled by disc brakes.

genejockey 

I only have that problem with the Battaglin, which has chrome plated Campy horizontal dropouts and chrome plated Campy QRs. Both sides of the interface are smooth. I can tell when it's out of alignment because the chain starts rattling in the smallest cog. I ended up cutting rubber washers to put between the faces.

On the contrary, it's the fork dropouts that seem to be the problem. It's like the wheel has two ways it can sit, and I have to make sure it's sitting right before I close the lever. And yes, the wheels are symmetrical - I checked. I dunno - just something in how the axle interacts with the dropout.

Koyote

- to try to understand why a handful of posters keep insisting that disc brakes are "unnecessary" just because they don't need/want/like them.

(For the record, I've never tried to convince anyone to "get on board" with discs. Not even a little bit.)

​​​​​​​I'll mark my calendar!

Koyote

I always figured the thru axle makes it easier to always keep the rotor perfectly aligned in between the pads; with QR dropouts, you have to at least quickly eyeball it when clamping down the lever -- it's not difficult or time-consuming, though. If I forget to do it, there is usually still no rubbing.

smd4

Sounds like the fork legs aren't exactly the same length.

smd4

Again, I am missing nothing. I'm just not addressing them. Just like I don't address 20" bikes and coaster brakes, mountain bikes with V-brakes, or penny farthings with no brakes. Why do you keep missing this?

genejockey 

You'd have to take that up with Mr. Ritchey.

smd4

I only need to take things up with Mr. Camilotto. Probably something you could measure yourself.

3alarmer 

....I'll try to set a reminder, but the weather should be pretty nice here by then. So I might forget. It would probably help you to review the prior threads he mentions in the OP. But again, you be you. I'd think it might have been easier to just "process the logic" in the initial discussion. But easier is not always better.

OTOH, starting another new thread on a topic that was just recently over discussed is not against the rules. You can start one, too, if you want.

terrymorse 

I figured the same. Vertical dropouts can be a bit “sloppy”.

3alarmer 

...is that an argument for discs on bikes as the universal standard going forward ? Because that seems to be where we are at.

genejockey 

Or, you know, just make sure the wheel is properly aligned before closing the QR.

Camilo

Yeah, for sure But people post as if it's still a thing. Front QR dropouts and discs are a non issue any more, at least in my personal experience.

smd4

Tomato, tomahto.

Camilo

Um, this obviously should have been posted in the recent weight weenie thread