axel shorting for quick release

big Pete said:

Hi all,

What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel? I have a bike
that has 125mm spacing and an old stock hub but the hub is not quick
release. I have an axel that is the same thread as the one on my hub
but longer (i.e. the quick release will not clamp onto frame). I first
thought of hack sawing to length then I was thinking some washers would
solve my problem? What do you guys think?

I've done the hacksaw adjustment and that's worked okay. I'd recommend
threading a nut onto the axle (note spelling) before cutting and then
removing it to get any left-over flashing out of the way.

Actually, when cutting a bolt (or other threaded shaft) I usually
dress the raw end with a fine file before removing the nut I've
previously threaded on. You'll get immediate feedback on how good a
job you've done with the file. If I can't get the nut off with my
fingers I do some more work with the file. Repeat as needed.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:40:43 +1100, big Pete

may have said:

Hi all,

What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel? I have a bike
that has 125mm spacing and an old stock hub but the hub is not quick
release. I have an axel that is the same thread as the one on my hub
but longer (i.e. the quick release will not clamp onto frame). I first
thought of hack sawing to length then I was thinking some washers would
solve my problem? What do you guys think?

Unless you plan to permanently respace the dropouts for a wider hub,
don't just add washers. Even then, it's a bad idea, as you'll be
lengthening the distance between the right side bearing and the
dropout, increasing the tendency of the axle to flex and possibly
break on that side.

Hollow axles can be shortened, but measure thrice, cut *very*
carefully, and file the end flat. Or, install the hollow axle with
all of the surplus at one end, saw it off at the point that leaves
about two threads beyond the locknut, and file it flat. Before you
shorten the axle, though, look at the locknuts on the current setup.
If their flanges are smooth instead of serrated, you might want to
consider scrounging some serrated-face locknuts to ensure that the
QR-equipped axle doesn't slip. (This may be overkill in some cases,
but overkill is not always a bad thing.)

You shouldn't have a problem finding a QR that will work with that
spacing.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

"big Pete" < wrote: What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel?
(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Don't jump as high, but make sure your skates are aligned as you land.

big Pete said:

Hi all,

What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel?

Axles are cheap. Cut it.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | "It doesn't get any easier, you just go faster." --Greg LeMond
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) |

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 17:29:42 GMT, "Leo Lichtman"

may have said:

"big Pete" < wrote: What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel?
(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Don't jump as high, but make sure your skates are aligned as you land.

Naughty boy. You forgot to mention that if the arms aren't drawn in
as tight, the spin won't be as fast...

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Werehatrack said:

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:40:43 +1100, big Pete

may have said:

Hi all,

What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel? I have a bike
that has 125mm spacing and an old stock hub but the hub is not quick
release. I have an axel that is the same thread as the one on my hub
but longer (i.e. the quick release will not clamp onto frame). I first
thought of hack sawing to length then I was thinking some washers would
solve my problem? What do you guys think?

Unless you plan to permanently respace the dropouts for a wider hub,
don't just add washers. Even then, it's a bad idea, as you'll be
lengthening the distance between the right side bearing and the
dropout, increasing the tendency of the axle to flex and possibly
break on that side.

Hollow axles can be shortened, but measure thrice, cut *very*
carefully, and file the end flat. Or, install the hollow axle with
all of the surplus at one end, saw it off at the point that leaves
about two threads beyond the locknut, and file it flat. Before you
shorten the axle, though, look at the locknuts on the current setup.
If their flanges are smooth instead of serrated, you might want to
consider scrounging some serrated-face locknuts to ensure that the
QR-equipped axle doesn't slip. (This may be overkill in some cases,
but overkill is not always a bad thing.)

You shouldn't have a problem finding a QR that will work with that
spacing.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

I think that you have misunderstood me. I am trying to go QR from locknut. The spacing will remain the same. The problem that I am having is: QR axle dropout hub/cogs dropout axle QR (this is what the situation looks like using words). The QR is not griping to the dropout because the axle is too long after the dropouts. I was thinking that if a stack of washers were put over the extending parts of the axle then the QR would grip the washers, which will grip the fame.

Pete

big Pete said:

What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel? I have a bike
that has 125mm spacing and an old stock hub but the hub is not quick
release. I have an axel that is the same thread as the one on my hub
but longer (i.e. the quick release will not clamp onto frame). I first
thought of hack sawing to length then I was thinking some washers would
solve my problem? What do you guys think?

Hold the end you're discarding in the vise, hacksaw, finish
on a grinder, spinning the axle for an even face.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

-snip much-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:40:43 +1100, big Pete

may have said:

What is the best and cheapest way to shorten an axel?

Quoted message said:

Werehatrack said:

Hollow axles can be shortened, but measure thrice, cut *very*
carefully, and file the end flat.

big Pete said:

I think that you have misunderstood me. I am trying to go QR from
locknut. The spacing will remain the same. The problem that I am having
is: QR axle dropout hub/cogs dropout axle QR (this is what the
situation looks like using words). The QR is not griping to the dropout
because the axle is too long after the dropouts. I was thinking that if
a stack of washers were put over the extending parts of the axle then
the QR would grip the washers, which will grip the fame.

Spin the end of the axle against a grindwheel for a moment.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Ya know, this is another thread name that just gives me the willies. It looks
that that [censored] computer generated spam that floods our email. The first "Axel"
that comes to mind is Rose of the band Guns & Roses and whatever it is he is
shorting or being shorted to for whatever sort of release, I don't want to know
about it.

Ron

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 11:58:49 +1100, big Pete

may have said:

I think that you have misunderstood me. I am trying to go QR from
locknut.

That was obvious.

Quoted message said:

The spacing will remain the same.

Assuming that you don't put washers or spacers onto the axle inside
the dropouts, yes...but that is customarily where such are placed.

Quoted message said:

The problem that I am having
is: [snip] The QR is not griping to the dropout
because the axle is too long after the dropouts.

Then shorten the axle until it's the right length, and if the QR you
have is unable to adjust down to that point, get one of the correct
size.

Quoted message said:

I was thinking that if
a stack of washers were put over the extending parts of the axle then
the QR would grip the washers, which will grip the fame.

Sounds like a recipe for slippage to me.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

"Werehatrack" wrote: Naughty boy. You forgot to mention that if the arms
aren't drawn in as tight, the spin won't be as fast...
^^^^^^^^^^^
Want to play wisecrack leapfrog?

RonSonic said:

Ya know, this is another thread name that just gives me the willies. It looks
that that [censored] computer generated spam that floods our email. The first "Axel"
that comes to mind is Rose of the band Guns & Roses and whatever it is he is
shorting or being shorted to for whatever sort of release, I don't want to know
about it.

This is the "Axel" that comes to my mind in a cycling context:
<http://www.speedbikebgl.de/eng/axelf6he.html>.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

Tom Sherman said:

RonSonic said:

Ya know, this is another thread name that just gives me the willies. It looks
that that [censored] computer generated spam that floods our email. The first "Axel"
that comes to mind is Rose of the band Guns & Roses and whatever it is he is
shorting or being shorted to for whatever sort of release, I don't want to know
about it.

This is the "Axel" that comes to my mind in a cycling context:
<http://www.speedbikebgl.de/eng/axelf6he.html>.

Then there's Axel Meckx, who is in no way short or shorted.

Ron

RonSonic said:

Tom Sherman said:

RonSonic said:

Ya know, this is another thread name that just gives me the willies. It looks
that that [censored] computer generated spam that floods our email. The first "Axel"
that comes to mind is Rose of the band Guns & Roses and whatever it is he is
shorting or being shorted to for whatever sort of release, I don't want to know
about it.

This is the "Axel" that comes to my mind in a cycling context:
<http://www.speedbikebgl.de/eng/axelf6he.html>.

Then there's Axel Meckx, who is in no way short or shorted.

I think he has been shorted an "r".

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

big Pete said:

I was thinking that if a stack of washers were put over the extending
parts of the axle then the QR would grip the washers, which will grip
the fame.

Bad idea. The serrated edges on both QR end-nuts are important for
biting into the frame dropouts and keeping the QR secure. Unless you
can find similarly 2-sided serrated washers (which is difficult), i
would just shorten the hollow axle.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA