How do you tighten your skewers..... my way

[Guest Big H]

I fit the wheel with the skewer totally loose. I put the bike on the gorund to ensure the axle seats properly in the dropouts. I then close the skewer and start tightening the nut as tight as I can...... ie finger tight. I then open the skewer and tighten the nut a little more. I then close the lever...... it must be so tight that it leaves a little mark on my hand palm. I also ensure that all moving parts on the skewer are lubricated properly. I also line the lever up behind the fork and behind the seatstay so it cannot inadvertantly catch anything in loossen the lever by accident....... tjorts smaak in jou se mond as dit gebeur!!!!!!!!

[Inusc]

if you over tighten it can snap!

[AndreZA]

Basically the same as BigH but I don't turn the nut at tight as I can as I hate that sound of the teeth of the nut grinding on the frame. I then open, give 2-3 more turns and close lever.

[Wedge]

My front one is FT from now on. Basically the same method BigH uses.

[gummibear]

I also line the lever up behind the fork and behind the seatstay so it cannot inadvertantly catch anything in loossen the lever by accident....... tjorts smaak in jou se mond as dit gebeur!!!!!!!!

 

I have seen so many people fasten the front skewer facing forward.

[MattyG]

same as big h but make sure not to make it too tight

[Grebel]

It tightens on a cam. It doesn't have to be FT. You should be able to loosen it with your fingers not both hands! I close the lever. Tighten the nut until it touches the frame, loosen and give it on to two turns holding the nut still and then close the lever much like Mampara.

[Bat-ass]

I never know how tight to go... i try watch the mechanics do a wheel change on TV to get an idea of how much force they use..... you know, body language/ face expression!!!!??? they dont seem to tighten very tight? Put it this way, a chick cant undo mine when i'v tightened them! is that too tight?

[Danger Dassie]

I saw an oke tapping his closed with a rubber mallet once.....Politely pointed out that it wasn't quite the right way to do it, got told in an extremely curt tone "Not to worry, I'm technically minded" ... Don't know how technically minded he was, but I reckon he at least qualified as a numbnut!

[Spinnekop]

Consulting the rule book on this:

 

Rule 41:

Quick release angle on the front skewer shall be an upward angle which tightens just aft of the fork and the rear quick release shall tighten at an angle that bisects angle between the seat and chain stays. It is acceptable, however, to have the rear quick release tighten upward, just aft of the seat stay, when the construction of the frame or its dropouts will not allow the preferred positioning. For Time Trial bikes only, quick releases may be in the horizontal position facing towards the rear of the bike. This is for maximum aero effect.

 

[LeTurbo]

Flick it around, see if I can close the lever then back off on the nut until I can.

 

(I see from Spinnekop's post that I must ride TT. Either that, or they've copied me.)

Edited February 11, 2011 by LeTurbo

[gummibear]

What about bikes with carbon dropouts?How long will they last?

[bikemonster]

In our next exciting instalment:

 

Valve caps - plastic or alloy?

[Gravity]

i think the dropouts have little raised edges around them sothat the wheel cannot fall out. i dont think it has to be very tight at all. and my QR lever is parallel to the ground and folds toward my rear wheel, fitting snugly around my air valve of my fork.

 

If i had to put an effort index on it, with 10 being TOIT, then it is like a 3 or a 4.

[Gravity]

No valve caps.

[Guest Big H]

In our next exciting instalment:

 

Valve caps - plastic or alloy?

 

Now please tell me what feeling did it create in you that you did not understand to write something as remotely off topic as that...... and what worries me even more how long did you take to come of with those lines?????????

 

............. and do not be a stupid...... you dont use valve caps on road bikes.