Converting from QR to normal nuts

[Hackster]

I'm rebuilding an old 26er MTB to use as a to-the-beach-and-back bike. The front QR axle snapped when I was removing it. So I need a replacement axle and thought it would make sense to fit an axle with normal nuts on the ends so that I don't have to worry about locking the wheel when I lock the bike. 

So long story short, what do I fit? Can you buy 'normal' axles or will I have to buy a new QR axle and bug my nuts-and-bolts shops for a suitable nut/washer duo in place of the QR bits?

The bike is a very low spec, very rusty, old Avalanche. (edit - ball and cone type)

This question seems insanely simple but I'm not seeing obvious solutions when looking at parts lists.

Edited June 25, 2022 by Hackster

[Jewbacca]

9mm steel threaded rod with 9mm nuts?

If it's a cheap cup n cone shimano hub it should be easy.

The axle that goes through the hub is basically a hollow threaded rod, so just get one to match but cut it long enough to extend either side of the drop outs to accommodate nuts.

[JS Scott]

Hi there,

Yea, good idea to prevent wheel theft. It's actually really simple, all you'll need to do is go to your LBS and get a replacement axle. Tell them you want a solid front/rear axle to replace the hollow QR axle you removed. Might be a good idea to take the old one with as a sample, the axle should be about 100mm long on older bikes. Then install and set your cones as you would on a normal axle, just make sure that it sticks out equally on either side of the hub to allow for enough thread to accommodate your nuts. Then install the wheel to the bike and tighten the nuts, it's really as simple as that. Shouldn't cost you any more than around R60 for the axle. See attached what your new solid axle should look like, just without the sealed bearings on the shaft (I'm assuming your old Avalanche has loose ball and cone bearings.)

[Steady Spin]

 

What if….

[RobertWhitehead]

I am sure that I have what you're looking for. 

[Hackster]

On 6/25/2022 at 1:56 PM, Jewbacca said:

9mm steel threaded rod with 9mm nuts?

If it's a cheap cup n cone shimano hub it should be easy.

The axle that goes through the hub is basically a hollow threaded rod, so just get one to match but cut it long enough to extend either side of the drop outs to accommodate nuts.

So it turns out that 9mm threaded rod is EXTREMELY rare unlike M10 and M8 which you can find just about everywhere. Even 9mm nuts are problematic. So the solution is buying actual solid axles from a bicycle shop and these are not terrifically hard to source. Thanks for the suggestion though, I would have much rather purchased a 'non-bike' solution and repurposed it to my needs. I suppose I could always drill out the hub so that a 10mm threaded rod fits... I joke.

[Hackster]

On 6/25/2022 at 1:58 PM, JS Scott said:

Hi there,

Yea, good idea to prevent wheel theft. It's actually really simple, all you'll need to do is go to your LBS and get a replacement axle. Tell them you want a solid front/rear axle to replace the hollow QR axle you removed. Might be a good idea to take the old one with as a sample, the axle should be about 100mm long on older bikes. Then install and set your cones as you would on a normal axle, just make sure that it sticks out equally on either side of the hub to allow for enough thread to accommodate your nuts. Then install the wheel to the bike and tighten the nuts, it's really as simple as that. Shouldn't cost you any more than around R60 for the axle. See attached what your new solid axle should look like, just without the sealed bearings on the shaft (I'm assuming your old Avalanche has loose ball and cone bearings.)

 

Thanks, this is the route I'm going.