Through Axles

[Eugene]

I've seen this mentioned many times on the Hub.

 

What on earth is a "Through Axle"

[patches]

Through Axle is an alternative to quick release.

 

Unlike a QR skewer which is mounted in slotted tabs/drop outs, a through axle (like the name suggests) goes through the frame/fork.

 

Advantages are rigidity and less chance of loosing your wheel.

 

Disadvantages are that some TAs require tools to install/remove, and they're heavier.

 

For cross country I would say QR/TA... doesn't matter. For the more extreme forms of riding, I'd only use TA.

 

On a fork one can get 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm (on those weird specialized enduro forks) through axles.

On a frame one gets 135x10, 135x12, 142x12, and 150x12 (for DH/FR bikes).

 

All my bikes run 20mm through axle at the front. Only my DH bike runs a rear through axle (150x12)

 

http://bike198.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/manitou-minute-20mm.jpg

 

example of a 20mm through axle fork

 

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/morewood-izimu.jpg

here you can see the 150x12mm through axle

[MariusC]

Thanx Patches don't you think it should be under this thread? https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/115050-naming-mtb-parts/page__hl__naming__fromsearch__1

[Johan Bornman]

Through axles also have an advantage that most people don't see. Unlike a quick release, a through axle does not preload the bearings like a quick release does. The bearing preload provided by a QR is unpredictable - some people do them up tight, some do them up loose. With a QR, like the one patches showed on the front wheel where the axle ends are bolted to the fork with a pinch arrangement, there is no bearing preload at all. In other words, the way the wheel was assembled is the way it will "see" the installed preload.

 

That advantage is slightly less on 15mm front wheel through axles that use a cammed lever to lock it in place. However, the arrangement of the bearings in a well-designed hub can still overcome this problem. It is impossible to overcome the problem with quick release systems.

[Eugene]

Thanks guys for the answers