Thru axles and standard sizes - a cautionary tale
09-09-22, 02:30 PM
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Thru axles and standard sizes - a cautionary tale
I somehow managed to strip out the allen bolt head on one of my thru-axles. (yes... user error) Thankfully the stock thru-axle has a 5mm head on both sides, so I was able to unscrew it from the other side. I figured this should be replaced (you know... before I do the same thing to the other side), so I dial up the interwebs and type in 12x100mm thru axle and find a bunch of results. I'm about to smash the buy button on some random Amazon listing, when I notice there are different actual lengths, oh and also different thread pitches, different spacers/washers, etc. Wow.
Anyway, specs on thru-axles aren't particularly easy to find online. I found this website: https://robertaxleproject.com/ that seems like a good option, made in USA. They've got a tool that will help determine exactly what size thru-axle you need. I also learned during this process that if you pull out the thru axle, it probably has printing on it that indicates the actual size, and thread pitch. Also worth noting that my front and rear axles have different thread pitches, and the rear uses a conical washer, where the front uses a flat washer.
TLDR; if you need a new thru axle, be sure to confirm size and maybe ask your LBS for specs before buying, or check out Robert Axle Project.
Anyway, specs on thru-axles aren't particularly easy to find online. I found this website: https://robertaxleproject.com/ that seems like a good option, made in USA. They've got a tool that will help determine exactly what size thru-axle you need. I also learned during this process that if you pull out the thru axle, it probably has printing on it that indicates the actual size, and thread pitch. Also worth noting that my front and rear axles have different thread pitches, and the rear uses a conical washer, where the front uses a flat washer.
TLDR; if you need a new thru axle, be sure to confirm size and maybe ask your LBS for specs before buying, or check out Robert Axle Project.
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09-09-22, 02:57 PM
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I somehow managed to strip out the allen bolt head on one of my thru-axles. (yes... user error) Thankfully the stock thru-axle has a 5mm head on both sides, so I was able to unscrew it from the other side. I figured this should be replaced (you know... before I do the same thing to the other side), so I dial up the interwebs and type in 12x100mm thru axle and find a bunch of results. I'm about to smash the buy button on some random Amazon listing, when I notice there are different actual lengths, oh and also different thread pitches, different spacers/washers, etc. Wow.
Anyway, specs on thru-axles aren't particularly easy to find online. I found this website: https://robertaxleproject.com/ that seems like a good option, made in USA. They've got a tool that will help determine exactly what size thru-axle you need. I also learned during this process that if you pull out the thru axle, it probably has printing on it that indicates the actual size, and thread pitch. Also worth noting that my front and rear axles have different thread pitches, and the rear uses a conical washer, where the front uses a flat washer.
TLDR; if you need a new thru axle, be sure to confirm size and maybe ask your LBS for specs before buying, or check out Robert Axle Project.
Anyway, specs on thru-axles aren't particularly easy to find online. I found this website: https://robertaxleproject.com/ that seems like a good option, made in USA. They've got a tool that will help determine exactly what size thru-axle you need. I also learned during this process that if you pull out the thru axle, it probably has printing on it that indicates the actual size, and thread pitch. Also worth noting that my front and rear axles have different thread pitches, and the rear uses a conical washer, where the front uses a flat washer.
TLDR; if you need a new thru axle, be sure to confirm size and maybe ask your LBS for specs before buying, or check out Robert Axle Project.
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09-09-22, 03:31 PM
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If they don't list your bike on the website, they have actual friendly and helpful humans, too.
(Almost makes me want to move to Bend, but I saw a bumper sticker that says it sucks and not to move there.)
(Almost makes me want to move to Bend, but I saw a bumper sticker that says it sucks and not to move there.)
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09-10-22, 03:58 AM
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09-10-22, 06:57 AM
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Yup. I came across RAP (and the multiple TA lengths and thread pitches) a handful of years ago when I was in need of a TA for a wheel-on trainer. I went back to them when my new-at-the-time bike came with some ****** quick release TAs and I wanted to replace them with conventional TAs.
09-10-22, 12:15 PM
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I am glad thru-axles have become the norm in the industry. With all the problems QR axles had you know.
09-11-22, 02:11 PM
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I fail to understand why they didn't come up with a through axle standard. I guess I understand the different lengths to some extent, given that they are part of the frame/fork. But still, they could have agreed on a thread pitch.
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09-11-22, 06:57 PM
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Reminds me of a story someone once told me about a 1980's era Ferrari where the shop discovered that a body panel on the drivers' side used metric sized hardware, but the identical part on the passenger side was all threaded for imperial size bolts.
