Editor’s Note: Today’s QT – in the form of a question from Premium Member Jim O’Donnell and answer from tech guru Jim Langley – covers a couple of different issues regarding road bikes equipped with disc brakes. Namely, it briefly addresses the differences between quick release and thru-axle designs, and it provides the foolproof way to avoid any issues with a loose QR coming into contact with the brake rotor.
Jim O’Donnell Wrote: I just bought a new road bike with disc brakes. However, the system is quick release and not thru-axle. Was this a mistake?
Jim Langley Replied: Congrats on getting a new road bike with disc brakes, Jim. There are road bikes with disc brake systems on quick release wheels and also those with thru-axles, as you mentioned. Both are available today, so it’s not a mistake, it’s just a different design. Your bike should work perfectly fine and there should be nothing to worry about.
You might have read about a recent Trek recall concerning disc brakes where the quick release lever could find its way into the rotor if the QR lever was left loose (not closed down tightly). What the industry learned from that recall is that the safest way to run your quick releases is with the lever on the right (drivetrain side) of the bike. That way, even if by accident the quick release lever comes loose, it can’t go into the rotor and cause a crash. As long as you take that precaution, you should be A-OK with your disc brake setup.
What thru-axles provide is a little more beefiness for the fork and frame and hubs to stiffen up and strengthen everything. This adds braking power and durability. If someone were riding mostly on dirt and trails, they’d probably want this extra heavy duty construction. If you were touring with a lot of weight on the bike in packs and bags, you might want the thru-axles, too. For someone mainly riding on the road for performance, it’s not that important, and having quick releases is fine.
Enjoy that great new bike!
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—John Marsh & The RBR Team
Hi.
I bought a cyclo cross bike with thru axles on around 18to20 months ago I have worked awY from home in those months so I guess the bike has only been used 20/25 max for 1 to 2 hour rides and in a non competive ride mode.
However from one of the earliest rides I noticed that the back wheel felt like there was play in the rear axle x if where to hold the bike with one hand and take a grip hold with the other no matter how tight you made the quick release lever be on the thru axle.
When you took the wheel from the bike on inspection there didn’t appear and feel to be any play in the axle at all.
Recently the movement on the bike felt prominent when riding so I bought a pair of shimano RS disc brake wheels and have put the wheels in the bike but the looseness is, apparent even with the brand new shimano wheels in the bike (the bike hasn’t been ridden with these wheels in.)
I tried to tight the thru axle up a little more but unfortunately the thru axle broke at the lever end.
Has, anyone any suggestions to why the movement is , apparent please?
Thanks Mike