How To Use And Adjust Thru Axles On Your Road Bike

More road bikes have disc brakes, so more are getting thru-axles. Here's our guide to using them without damaging your wheels and frame.

It's a change that has already started to happen, but as more and more of us ride road bikes with disc brakes, we'll also start to use thru-axles. Much like quick releases, it's essential that you use thru-axles correctly as the consequences can be really quite bad. Unlike quick releases, thru-axles also have the potential to do irreparable damage to your frame and forks – something that, no doubt, you'll want to avoid too.

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[gorgeswellrider]

Warning!! If you have to remove a wheel to transport your bike and fit it into your vehicle, remember to screw the thru axle back into the frame, after removing the wheel, or risk driving away with it left out somewhere, perhaps... on your bumper? Ask me how I know!

[dafyomiyid]

this was actually quite helpful. I did not know that I could adjust the direction of the handles and explained why I had such difficulty at first getting them to screw in. After watching this I better understood how to work with them

[rezaesfahani]

Small thing you said in this video ended my frustration after 1.5 hr of useless trying! Thanks man! Keep doing the nice job!

[jakebailey]

If you are struggling to get the thru axle in or out, it can often help to apply just a little bit of pressure on the wheel, either upward or downward and that can often help to get it in or out. And if it's not biting on the other end, give it a gentle nudge or bump with the palm of your hand until the whole thing compresses inward.

[billeterk]

That "rotate to insert back of lever into the little recess" tip is useful. It took me about 10 minutes to work out how to take my wheel off the first time.

[michaelsojka]

thanks for the tip on the allen key adjustment on the QR through axle

[EndUser-yugg]

Thanks for this... i new to the whole thru axle thing and just thought the mushroom bit held it in... 'wrong' ... i figured it out now thanks to the video

[gregtaylor]

Detailed and strrait forward. QUALITY vid. Thanks man!

[dndhm]

Top tip on being able to re-align the rear thru axle lever by pulling it! I kept knocking it with my heel while trackstanding

[davidwinyard]

Another reason for through axles are accidents caused by insecure or out-of-position quick-release skewers are eliminated by through axles. Having a front wheel come off a fork while riding can ruin your whole day.

[diegoestabridis]

Lighning fast shipping. Excellent product very pleased

[mash-upstudios]

Sorry to be out of topic, but I cant help but notice the bike fender on the right side bike. Never saw that kind of fender before.

Anyone know the brand/type of the fender?

[ericmansor]

a good video would be a typical work day for a gcn presenter. that would be interesting showing your work.

[jamesnickel]

Great video!
Answered a few questions and concerns I had in regards to adjusting and tightening mine.
Thanks!

[tomgruitt]

I have thru axles but they don’t have a thing on the end like yours. What do I do?

[matthewkluge]

great shot of all the dirt and grime on the front wheel of the Trek bike ! lol

[Lionart-vmte]

Hi there how have a 2013/14 voodoo hoodoo and my front wheel is wobbles side to side like the bearings are not in there or the qr is loose. Fir example I'm stood over the bike the quick release is tight but the wheel in between the forks is moving? At help or advice on how I can fix this please

[swinloz]

Problem I have is bolt through is nice and tight but I have a mil play on the wheel. Just as you describe if the bolt through isn't tightened enough. Also it seems the moment is in the wheel only and not the brake rotor. Take the wheel off the bike nothing seems loose with the wheel or rotor. Any help would be appreciated 🤘

[vaishnavraj]

Hi,
I have bike where the through axel dosen't stop/ touch the frame and i fi keep screwing the thread is pushed out the other end. How do i tighten this or do i just leave equal gaps on either side and be done with it? (whyte wessex 2018, 12mm 142mm through axel.

[Jeffrey_Friedl]

@1:07, the fork doesn't have dropouts (which are used with quickreleases)... that's the whole point of having a thru axel(!)