mams99

Every bike I have ever owned has drop out wheels with quick release levers. This has never, every been an issue. But, this older bike I have just feels "wrong" when I put on the wheel and I'm afraid one of these days when I ride a bike, the front wheel will fall out and I'll die.

I've watched videos on how to properly close to close the quick release hinge (tight enough so that you should feel some resistance and there is a bit of pressure on the palm of the hand. But I swear, with this bike, I have to leave it pretty loose or else the tire rubs and can't spin. The wheel has the spring. I "think the spring is the right way. I just figure I'm doing something wrong - even though I've done this many times with other bikes for transporting them. It's been in the shop and the bike shop had it properly secure without it rubbing, so what noob stupid thing am I doing?

I got this new to see Surly Ogre, but it's a quick release wheel - which has me concerned. (Is that possible to change to a thru axel?)

Iride01 

How old is the Surly Ogre? There have been some skewers that didn't hold well enough. But that was long ago. Perhaps you just need to go to a shop or two and get them to show you how to properly adjust and close the skewer. Possible there is something wrong with that skewer and you just need a new one. In fact since you say that something rubs when you tighten it, then there is something wrong somewhere. Again, best to go to a shop if you can't see the actual cause of the problem yourself.

You won't easily change from a QR/Skewer to a thru-axle. They have to cut the drops off and fit others into place. And you'd need a new hub or entirely new wheel. Not a inexpensive thing.

mams99

I should have been clearer. I just got a new to me Surly. I haven't even used it yet, but it has a quick release wheel and I'm now leery because of this other bike (Bianchi Advantage 1993) I have that just doesn't seem right I'm just being stupid.

Eric F 

If the axle is properly seated in the dropouts, and the tire rubs when you tighten the skewer, it sounds like there is an alignment issue. Riding with a loose skewer is never the right answer.

Iride01 

It's still not clear to me. Which bike is it that you are having the issue of something rubbing and you've loosened the skewer to keep it from not rubbing? If that's the older bike, then what issue are you having with your new Surly? You said you were use to riding bikes with skewers (QR), so what happened to make you skittish?

If the new Surly is the one giving you issues with rub, then go back to the shop you bought it from or take it to a authorized Surly dealer/repair center. They need to know if they messed something up in the assembly or missed something during their checks before they sold it to you. There might be warranty issues in play that you might mess up if you futz with it yourself.

Is this what your rear looks like on your Surly? If so, then while that is technically a QR as Surly calls it in their specs, it might not adjust quite like we use to do our QR's back in the days before Thru-Axles. But I don't know, never seen or used one like that till I saw these pics on Surly's site.

https://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre

mams99

Thanks! That bike (The old one) will now be on the bike trainer, so I don't have to worry about the front wheel any more. Just don't want to EVER worry about a wheel falling out.

I'll go play with the Ogre - I just got home from running errands and I need to put the wheel on (it was in the trunk). It will be a moment of truth to see if I'm just dumb or there is something not quite right with that skewer/quick-release thing.)

And Thanks for the info on switching to thru-axel. That is a big nope then!

andrewclaus

Check the conical springs. They should be pointing in. If not, you'll have problems.

oldbobcat

Have the wheel inspected by a shop that knows what it's doing. There is no legitimate or safe reason to ride with a loose QR skewer.

mpetry912 

some good advice here. Get this thing looked at by an expert. We cannot diagnose it here.

you may have a dropout that is bent. this is fixable, but get a shop to look at it. A front wheel dropping out is a bad wipe out. have seen it happen

/markp

smd4

A front wheel properly installed using a quick release that has been adjusted correctly won’t rub or fall out.

There are two possibilities: something is wrong with your bike/wheel/quick release, or you’re doing something wrong. No way near enough information to determine which it is.

Crankycrank

Agree with the other posters. Take it to a shop for inspection as there are a few things that would cause this and knowing what to look for can save many headaches. Things such as broken or bent axle, axle cones are loose or spacing is wrong, springs reversed, bent fork or ends, poor technique, etc., etc., are all possibilities.

SurferRosa

Sorta difficult to diagnose anything without a simple photograph.

maddog34

the QR wheels are held in the dropouts by GRAVITY when you ride.
The only force trying to Remove them is also GRAVITY, if you wheelie or jump the bike.
If you even lightly tighten the QR, the Wheel WILL NOT "FALL OUT"...
unless the bike has disc brakes... then brake force TORQUE will try to rotate the Axle out of the dropouts.

and i concur with the others,., take the bike to a Bike shop and have them inspect it and Teach You How to Install the Wheel Correctly.

bblair

Are you inserting the wheel with the bike up on a workstand or otherwise off the ground? I have found that it is way easier to center it when both wheels are on the ground. Too many things to juggle otherwise. Probably something simple like that.

Or maybe your rim brake is out of alignment. Also an easy fix.

Schweinhund

I remove almost all of the quick releases from my wheels and install these things
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ewer&_osacat=0

kcjc

Front wheel? If the fork doesn't come with lawyer tabs, try this https://www.amazon.com/HUB-RETAINING.../dp/B000AO5KQK. Not sure how the rear wheel can fall out given it's not a "dropout" design. I would learn how to use a quick release (ask a friend, YouTube, LBS, etc). Those clips are just stupid but keeps the suppliers and seller from financial ruin by ambulance chasers.

grumpus

That's what lawyer lips and retention washers are for, you can buy or make washers if they're not already fitted. Some people like to fit zip ties, more as an anti-tamper measure or reminder than to actually hold the wheel on.
I hope you've been doing them tighter than that - guidance usually says tight enough to make a dent in your hand.
There should be two springs, one on each side, with the small end against the axle, but one missing wouldn't cause your problem. It sounds like the cones are loose on the axle or the axle is broken - take the wheel off, remove the skewer and feel the bearings, also check cones/locknuts for tightness.
You should be able to find a solid axle and nuts that will fit in your hub, but many people use QR wheels without a problem. You occasionally hear about problems, but that's usually people who don't understand how a QR works. There is a potential issue with QR and disc brakes, but it shouldn't be a problem with a steel fork.

oldbobcat

The springs are cone-shaped. The narrow end of the cone goes to the inside. If not, the axle doesn't seat in the dropout properly, which might be part of your problem.

Camilo

post pictures of your quick release and the empty drop outs.

smd4

You replace alll your quick releases with PITA releases? Unquick Releases?? Why??

maddog34

possibly to slow down wheel thieves.... or maybe pighound enjoys fighting with buggered up allen holes or thin-wrench slots in aluminum nuts...?

i've considered using them on my ALAN... it wears Mavic Open Elites, DT double butted spokes, Dura-Ace 7400 Hubs, DA Titanium Cassette, a pair of Gatorskins and lightweight tubes...... add lacing labor, x2..... !$!

maddog34

I recall having to RIP a rear wheel out of a frame because of a pair of backwards cone springs...

79pmooney

Not my experience. I had a front wheel come out on a very gentle descent on perfect pavement going straight. 30 miles into the ride. My post race years and I was a smooth rider. Campy Record or NR QR. Rim brakes (and my hands were nowhere near the levers). Hadn't checked it for a while but I'd been using QRs for 17 years (and all my racing) when it happened. Logically pulling the lever out completely on that stretch of road should have been no big deal. Instead, I got to experience the wheel coming out of the dropouts completely, twisting around, then bending that blade back a lot and tossing me over the bars. At probably 25 mph.

So, yes, all of what you say makes sense. Just happens I've seen otherwise. (And now tighten my front QRs as tight as in back with horizontal dropouts.)

FBinNY 

Stop obsessing over every possibility, or things that vaguely MIGHT or COULD happen and learn to trust your bike and your basic skill in setting it up safely.

An easy way to know if your front wheel is secure is to pick up the front end and give the front wheel a solid karate chop or punch at the top. It will not move.
A QR system, properly used is secure enough that if you were to repeat the above test with a sledge hammer you'd dent the rim before the wheel would move in the fork.

Also, know that bikes have highly evolved designs refined by people who imagine every possible "what if". The fork and dropouts are designed so that gravity and road impacts keep the wheel on even if the axle isn't properly secured.

maddog34

(*** note to self.. Never trust campy QRs.)

should mention this.. i've watched a kid reach down and open a QR on a bike chained in front of a supermarket... i walked over and Closed it.. then chased the stupid trickster for a block while yelling obscentities at the top of my large lungs.. then tripped him and Laughed as i walked away... he was wearing shorts that hung too low, and his expensive BB shoes were untied.. not the hot setup when trying to escape a fat old bald guy with attitude and massive thigh muscles, eh?... I hope he bled all over those nikes...