5 Reasons to DITCH Your Quick Release Thru Axle | BURGTEC Santa Cruz 168.5mm Rear Axle

Quick Release and Lever Thru-Axles seem nice but for most of our bikes it's probably not the best choice. See why I think you should upgrade to a leverless thru axle on your mountain bike.

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There are other brands of leverless thru axles available also but you are interested in this one from burgtec, it will fit: 5010 V1, V2, V3, Bronson V1, V2, V3, Nomad V2.1, V3, V4, Chameleon V5, V6, V7, Heckler V7, Heckler E-Bike V8, Heckler MX E-Bike, Bantam V1, Blur TR V1.1, Blur XC V2.2, Blur LT V2.2, V2.1c, Blur V3, Highball V1, V2, V3, Tallboy LT V1.1, Tallboy V1.1, V2, V3, V4, High Tower V1 and V2, High Tower LT V1, Mega Tower V1, And Juliana Equivalents.

For more info, check the manufacturer's website:

[gregs]

In 8 years with rear quick release pointing forward (not straight forward, but aligned with seat tube), I don't think it's ever caused a problem. Hard to snag the rear since your feet or other bike parts are going to hit it first. (I have gotten sticks stuck in various places, clipped handlebars, pedals, etc.) And if the rear skewer gets loose the wheel isn't going to fall off; it's got to make about eight more revolutions before it comes out. Loose may slightly affect handling. But most owners are going to notice that the lever is in wrong position or feel the performance difference. All that said, I see no reason for the rear quick release for me. I only remove rear for servicing and if I get a flat (haven't with tubeless in last then years), I'm going to have tools if I have a spare. I do remove front to put in car though.

[khchoi]

I've gone the other way. I actually have allen key thru axles on my new 27.5" bike. I've got an older 26" bike with quick release. I was used to quick release. Since I've got my new bike recently, I don't like taking the front wheel with a 6mm allen key. I'm scared I may strip the 6mm hole if I slip on the Allen key. I usually put my bike inside my car. Without taking the front wheel off, it's difficult to fit the bike in my car. Sometimes, it is dark when I finish riding. A black 6mm Allen key can be dropped on the floor and difficult to spot in the dark. Socket tools are even worse to find the Allen bits.
A quick release thru axle is more convenient. And there aren't many bike thieves around where I live.
I've probably given you more than 5 reasons to use a quick release/not to use a "slow release" axle! In my case.
Horses for courses as they say.

[carlingas]

The handle on the rear 12” axle is removable and in the front. I need the axle to be quick release because I have a roof rack on my car and I need to remove front wheel every time I transport my bike. But it looks nice without quick release handles.

[khchoi]

You can give me the DT Swiss thru axles. I'd rather have quick release than using Allen key.

[rockbore]

You've shaved off 20g on the handle, but now you need to carry a tool, which I rarely do, and have never needed. Think I might get one of these axles anyway.

[MB-kemi]

Sorry we need to clear some things up:
- Weight is negligible especially since now you will need to take an Allen key in the event of a flat.
Are you going to also take a torque wrench since that is the right way to tighten these? Now you are carrying far more weight.
- Safety? As long as you keep your quick release lever in the proper direction it is extremely unlikely it will be knocked loose. In 20 years of mountain biking I have never had an issue.
- Looks? Maybe it's a little cleaner looking.
- Efficient? Not if you get a flat while riding.
SUMMARY: More weight if you carry the recommended tools. Fixing a flat will take longer. Additional money spent on something that really doesn't fix a problem.

[darrensmith]

Very good i was also wondering what that other cap was for and i was also wondering about axle size, you've sorted me out .cheers buddy.

[hongjiang]

need some form of quicker release to remove tire to repair a flat tire. unless you have the correct wrench with correct length to generate enough torque.

[Durwood]

The DT Swiss is not actually a quick release thru axle, it's just a thru axle with an integrated handle. Quick release thru axles are something else entirely. My Trek Roscoe came with a removable handle that fits securely enough in the rear axle to leave it attached while I ride, and it has never been a problem. I've snagged debris on my rear derailleur, but never on the axle handle.

[I.Liveoldcars.prospecting]

I personally hate the quick release on either front or rear wheels. Only advantage is when I transport my mtb in my car. But no reason I can carry a wrench to remove my front wheel for car transport.

[joseariellaureanoramirez]

Hi, could you please share the link where you bought it? I have a Santa Cruz Tallboy 2021

[em]

I have the same bike as you do. I might take up your suggestion. A very minor thing here, but the one thing that I do not like about my bike is that Fox 34 front forks and the Fox suspension system have blue caps and levers and I actually would like to change those to either black or a dark gray, but they do not make them in those colors. Any ideas? Thanks!!

[fxxc]

Does these go for other bikes also or just santa cruz

[derekh]

What santa cruz do you have? I ordered the same size and does not fit my santa cruz 5010. I tried to do it myself and noticed it was short, so i brought it to mechanics and they said the same thing.

[em]

What did you torque it to? I have the same bike as you show on the clip. Thanks!!

[axbenitez]

What NM did you set yours at for the replacement axle. The flip chip side says 12nm but santa cruz diagram doesn't say on the dt Swiss side

[travelpackgamerz]

Hello please help my thru axle loose cannot open with allen key factory did not put grease on it. Very tight when I rotated counterclockwise it wont open because of that

[rouxenophobe]

weight? so now you need to carry a multitool with you out on the trail?!!

[jasonkroll]

My dt swiss large handle is removable...
No need to buy one without..because all dt swiss handles are removable....even the china fake dt swiss come off...

[iamcyberpunk]

Those are soft and strip out not a good idea.