Solid axle vs quick release what is better ?

We show the weight difference and problems you will have if you convert to Quick release axles. Which is better ? Please Subscribe for more bike videos.

[joshportelli]

Thanks for pointing out all the differences and pro's/cons. I didn't think about adjusting preload on the cam lever. Much easier to calculate pre-load with torque on a nut/bolt.

[cosinus_square]

Peak Torque did a detailed video measuring clamping forces between quick release and through axles (which basically behave like solid axles) clamping force was higher on the quick release iirc.

[dangerous]

On my budget build I got a rear solid axle but I'm going to keep it as it doesn't cause me any issues as of now. I don't race to the point I need to switch my tires quickly. And I like being able to only take one wheel off when I'm locking it up.

[joshportelli]

Awesome idea to make your own tools. Less cost, lighter, & smaller. And while I don't really need to save grams/ounces, I would definatley carry more tools if I had smaller lighter versions to carry with me.

[danielmitchell]

Wow man, thats very interesting video, I never thought of some one stealing wheels, as amy one can steal wheels easily 🤣🤣 with quick release. I broke my axle, still not going for solid axle, only because it makes bile look so ugly 😁😁😁, what I am doing is to make a hollow axle exactly the same size but with thicker steel guage, I hope it will be more stronger as even if its guage is thick, the quick release rod can go easily in it as quick release rod is thin. Thanks a lot for auch informative video.

[seishidesu]

OK, here goes. Quick release front axle is usually 9mm (or therabouts) and you can find solid axles in this diameter. In the past, front solid axles used to be 5/16". Some bicycles could have 3/8" front axle, but that wasn't frequent. The rear hubs used to have 3/8" QR axles, these days they may have 10mm ones. Do not mix the standards. As in: if the hub had 5/16" solid axle (and accompanying cones), do not put 9mm one in (and vice versa). You'll damage the bearing cups and / or cones. Generally speaking, solid axles and nuts combo is lighter than QR and skewer. Generally speaking, axle and nut offers a bigger clamping force, though in practice, good quality, closed cam skewer will do the job anyway.
There were solid axles on some bicycles that were actually drilled or partly drilled at the ends (Chatterlea made some for example). Probably not worth bothering, weight reduction would not be that significant whilst just offering more surface susceptible to corosion.
Both types of axles (QR and solid) can bend, crack and fail. If you're using a solid axle, make sure you use well made CroMo one, not some random unknown stuff. Do hub maintenance at least once a year to make sure the axle is in a good shape and didn't develop any cracks or didn't start to bend. Use good quality track nuts with serrated, rotating washer.

[mindaugas]

Are you sure the cones aren't compatible with both? I removed one from my solid axle and it definitely screws on to a qr axle. But obviously the front and rear axle diameters might differ and maybe that's why yours don't fit?

[ebperformance]

I need to convert to a axle’ on the front’….because it’s on a stealth bomber e-bike, and there’s a lot of weight…and I don’t trust that hollow axle…what is the weight limit on a quick Release.

[billy_on__wheels]

I bought an old claud butler mountain bike in good condition had new axles in and it keeps bending rears 🙄

[verbotenco]

Yeah...the quick release is 20 grams heavier...big deal...especially since a typical bike is like 15 kg...lol...you can certainly feel how 20 grams put a lot of drag on your speed...lol.

[monkeh]

i changed my qr axles a few times already and i took them off other bikes that were waay smaller so you clearly are just talking bs

[cubanassasinmma]

If you take a dump and a piss you drop 1000g to 2500 grams so STFU about a few grams, ive never bent a quick release but have bent a crap ton of solid axles and destroyed another crap ton of bearings