Thru-Axle Vs Quick Release – Is This The Future For Road Bikes?

Will we be attaching our wheels to our road bikes using thru-axles in the future? Or, are quick releases not going anywhere?

Let us know what you think down in the comments.

The humble quick release – invented by Mr Campagnolo – has had more impact that most bike components over the last 70-80 years. But, although we definitely couldn't have done without them, are they about to be replaced? Thru-axles are dominant in the mountain bike world, where their stiffness, strength and the fact that they're more difficult to get wrong the quick releases have made them a success. So, coupled with road bike disc brakes, might thru-axles be the future?

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[AWriterWandering]

Perfect alignment every time is probably the best selling point for me

[OnYourLeft]

I was in the shop a few months ago, and I saw a Focus bike with their new interpretation of Thru-axle. It was similar to quick release in that you pull the lever, but then you turn it 1/2 turn, and slide the thru-axle out. Very fast, impossible to cross-thread, and quite sturdy.

[OjStudios]

"Threads can vary from frame to frame" And there we have a loser of this battle. Why is there no standard for this like with normal axles. Everything should have standards for easy replacement parts because we live in a world where nothing lasts.

[experiment]

"fool proof"... you underestimate the ingenuity of a fool

[trailseeker]

The thing is that with Thru-Axle you have theads on the axle and on the frame as well. What happens when they get damaged somehow? With quick release that is another thing you do not have to worry about.

[mikefule]

There's also a perfectly good system where you have a hex nut at each end of the axle and use a spanner. It adds the weight of a spanner to your bike, but as fewer thieves carry spanners, it reduces the risk of a wheel being stolen, and also means you can sometimes get away with a shorter lighter lock.

[xzonewd]

Do a test to find out if red bikes are really faster

[hartleymartin]

Before the QR skewers on hollow axles, they used large wing-nuts. This isn't all that different in practice. At least with the large wing nuts, if you lost them, you could use a standard hexagonal nut and a spanner.

[vikram]

0:52 Si, pretty sharp reflexes there, mate!

[Raka]

Because my experiences in other totally different activities, I'm worried of threads gone flat or damaged. It happens, you only don't know when.

[monkobillo]

I'm pretty sure that the people who are incapable of safely securing a quick-release will be equally dangerous in charge of tightening up a thru-axle...

[c]

It takes me like 10% of the time to put in my 15mm axle compared to my crap ass QR. You dont have to screw around with finding the perfect tension with a thru-axle, it just works and works the same every time.

[steffenstengardvilladsen]

I ride a cyclo cross bike with disc brakes and quick release. The wheel have NEVER been close to popping off.
However the wheel is often skewed a tiny bit after riding and braking. This causes the discs to scratch against one side of the brakes... i.e. make the bike brake.
Although it is easier to find wheel with QRs i would prefer the Thru-Axle today.

[Obsrvr]

If there is a place to share my frustration it is here I believe.
I just bought new forks (with 110mm booster spacing) which are through axle compatible. Now the pain of finding the right size conversion kit (as my wheels are quick release set up) is just unbelievable. Not to mention that after having spent money on upgrading my forks, now I must spend more money on the conversion kit and also the spacer kit to gap that 10mm booster spacing.

If you ask me, the risk of the wheel falling out is insignificant. and there is a solution to it which I think would be quite logical. Check the hubs and axels before going on a big ride...
Changing things on bikes to make them not compatible with older models and parts is a cheeky way of getting cyclists to spend a little more money. It is a rabbit hole I would prefer not to go down it, but once you upgrade one part, the domino effect starts. Keep in mind, I am not even mentioning the fact that in my head I am trying to not think about the fact that my nice wheels will not be the same. front will be through axle and the rear will be quick release. I am sure many wouldnt understand this but the thought just adds a slight bit more frustration into the mix.

Sorry about ranting, hope some can relate and I am not the unreasonable weirdo, like the person who decided that even casual cyclists need through axle setups.... :)

[fivestars]

The slightest subject about bike make a lot of people share their experience and point of view.like this subject about QR and thru-A. I love that. I love this very interisting Channel. Cheers from France.😊

[fernfloyd]

Am I the only one that noticed the enhanced video quality in this one? 50 FPS looks mighty good, GCN! Love it! :)

[davepratt]

Well done Si! You have addressed most of the disparaging comments about the scientific validity of your experiments, with your slip of the tongue at 6:23, by calling it "pseudo science".

You did miss the biggest benefits of the through axle system, at least from Dan's Hack / Bodge of the week point of view: they work really well as integral chain keepers and, with a cut to length piece of PVC pipe, a really good dropout brace for travel.

[Saber-]

I did have an experience on my QR mtb.
As I was in the middle of a climb the tension from the chain pulled the wheel out its seat and I had an extremely painful moment as I slid back down the climb. I don't worry about this ever happening on my newer thru-axle mtb.

[darrenministeratkins]

Thankyou on the advice for my 12 through axle.they are awsome.on my hardtail I had front QR20.SO TO FIND A BOLT AXLE WACKED IN I HAD TO SAVE THIS IDRIVE.GT RUCKUS..GOT THE AXLE AND NEW DERAILER HANGER.ALLS IN LINE.just the spacers now and I'm praying with a big set of bearings there will be no crap but joy...I've got a new hub just in case..can't mess around much more winters coming and snowmen calling..

[mfiola]

I question how "foolproof" thru axles are. A while back I was loading my mountain bike onto my car after a ride and only then noticed my rear thru axle was hanging part way out of my frame. It had come completely unscrewed. Yes, I was lucky.

I don't know how it happened but it must not have been tight to begin with. You can tell visually if a quick release is secured, but not necessarily a thru axle. I check before each ride now.