Bolt-on skewers

53-11 said:

Anybody try something like this? speedcific.comspdbolton.htmOpen ↗

I've got horizontal drop-outs and sometimes notice wheel becomes uncentered after riding for a while. (good reason for me to get a frame with vertical drop-outs)

Never gave the horizontal drop-outs much thought becasue at the time I really like lugged steel.

They won't do anything a good XT or ultegra skewer won't do just as well ,when it comes to holding the wheel.

boudreaux said:

They won't do anything a good XT or ultegra skewer won't do just as well ,when it comes to holding the wheel.

Now that I think about it. It would probably be easier to get good tension with a quick relaese than it would by trying to tighten with a 5mm allen head.

Only better option is something like a track nut.

I just wonder if there is a way to fit a track nut onto a conventional quick release.

53-11 said:

Now that I think about it. It would probably be easier to get good tension with a quick relaese than it would by trying to tighten with a 5mm allen head.

Only better option is something like a track nut.

I just wonder if there is a way to fit a track nut onto a conventional quick release.

The problem is with external cam skewers on horizontal drop outs. The models Boudreaux named are internal cam and will work fine but there are plenty of others out there as well. You mignt even have one on an old bike - before vertical dropouts became popular all skewers were internal.

For track nuts to work you have to have a good chunk of axle protruding beyond the dropouts - for skewers you can't have that so you can't combine them any way.

DiabloScott said:

The problem is with external cam skewers on horizontal drop outs. The models Boudreaux named are internal cam and will work fine but there are plenty of others out there as well. You mignt even have one on an old bike - before vertical dropouts became popular all skewers were internal.

For track nuts to work you have to have a good chunk of axle protruding beyond the dropouts - for skewers you can't have that so you can't combine them any way.

The skewer that I broke (tried to tighten it too much) was 105. I'm guessing that was external cam?

I'll go pick up an ultregra skewer and give it a try.

Thanks.

EDIT: I found a good article on this sheldonbrown.comskewers.htmlOpen ↗

53-11 said:

The skewer that I broke (tried to tighten it too much) was 105. I'm guessing that was external cam?

I'll go pick up an ultregra skewer and give it a try.

Thanks.

Read up before you buy! Good info and photos here:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/skewers.html

DiabloScott said:

Read up before you buy! Good info and photos here:
sheldonbrown.comskewers.htmlOpen ↗

I just found that myself while doing a google search for internal cam skewers.

The skewer I have is an internal cam model, but it doesn't have the steel insert on the acorn nut. I can already see where the aluminum ridges have gone flat from too much pressure.

53-11 said:

The skewer that I broke (tried to tighten it too much) was 105. I'm guessing that was external cam?

I'll go pick up an ultregra skewer and give it a try.

Thanks.

EDIT: I found a good article on this sheldonbrown.comskewers.htmlOpen ↗

Wrong about the 105s.There have been countless posts about this 'problem' and alaternate causes and solutions.You don't seem to have the comprehension switch in the on position.

boudreaux said:

Wrong about the 105s.There have been countless posts about this 'problem' and alaternate causes and solutions.You don't seem to have the comprehension switch in the on position.

I understand if the drop-outs aren't aligned you will have problems, but that isn't the case here.

I have a shimano replacement in my hand now and it's internal cam. I'm sure all the shimano models are internal cam.

So what's the difference going to be with the ultegra? Does it have a steel insert with more bite?

53-11 said:

I understand if the drop-outs aren't aligned you will have problems, but that isn't the case here.

I have a shimano replacement in my hand now and it's internal cam. I'm sure all the shimano models are internal cam.

So what's the difference going to be with the ultegra? Does it have a steel insert with more bite?

Are you sure the material in the 105 is aluminum?? Ultegras are steel. The is also another component to this in addition to the skewer,and that is the locknut or whatever is on the outside of the driveside of the hub,and how it interfaces with the dropout. A steel locknut will hae a serrated or ather type gripping surface. Sometimes locknuts get reversed. A slipping axel can groove the dropout.

boudreaux said:

A slipping axel can groove the dropout.

yep that's what's happening here. (no wonder problem has slowly been getting worse)

Anything you can do about this?🙁

I'm guessing I'll need a new frame.

53-11 said:

yep that's what's happening here. (no wonder problem has slowly been getting worse)

Anything you can do about this?🙁

I'm guessing I'll need a new frame.

There are workarounds like a different locknut, and maybe even a larger star washer between the locknut and dropout,but without seeing it I won't do the guessing game. If the dropout is badly grooved,the axel may be too long for the dropout,compounding the problem.Also a longer axel and track nuts you could really honk on might work.

boudreaux said:

There are workarounds like a different locknut, and maybe even a larger star washer between the locknut and dropout,but without seeing it I won't do the guessing game. If the dropout is badly grooved,the axel may be too long for the dropout,compounding the problem.Also a longer axel and track nuts you could really honk on might work.

What do I need to get track nuts to work? (I know you aren't a SS/FG guy)

53-11 said:

What do I need to get track nuts to work? (I know you aren't a SS/FG guy)

Might be able to get a replacement axle that would work with your hub. There are a couple of different diameters so you'd have to get the right diameter to match your hub, the right length to match your frame spacing, and the track nuts to match your axle. Again, Sheldon is an excellent source.

Another potential problem, especially if you have disassembled your hub to regrease it.

If you have not centred the axle properly, it is possible that too much of the axle sticks on one side, and that your quick release abbutts against the axle rather than the dropout. Check that both sides of the axle stick equally and if not, recentre the axle.

BTW, bolt-on skewers offer a bit more theft protection, but they are not more resistant to sliding and other problems like that.