Stand in front your bike with your front wheel between your knees, then twist the bars from side to side.
Observe where the flex occurs.
Loose spokes, flexible stems, flexible bars and flexible forks can all contribute.
I noticed a big difference between when I trued the wheel, fitted a stiffer stem and fitted stiffer forks that also had a 20mm bolt-through.
Nearest I've come is swapping a set of QR Revelations on a 5 Spot for a set of 20mm Pikes - there was a discernibly more 'direct' feel to the steering when riding with the Pikes. I still have the Revs on a long travel steel hard tail, which is more 'noodle' feeling all round - it still goes where you want it to, but as you'd expect with a steel frame, it's a very different feeling to an aluminium full-sus.
I've never had a problem with Shimano QRs, but I've seen one or two of the 'no brand' basic ones on our youth club bikes come undone mid-trail, despite me personally checking they were done up properly at the outset of a ride. I've always been a bit paranoid about it since reading about Russ Pinder's accident a few years back.
it only makes a difference if its 25mm bolt thru 
my 08 enduro goes exactly where i tell it too, normally in a hedge.....
tried a friend’s qr 140 van on the old chain slapper at cannock, it felt awful in comparison, i was point one way and the wheel another.
I too would agree that i can tell the difference (also with rear 12mm botl through).
I had QR revs beforehand, and if going through a rock garden they would (only a tiny bit mind) 'squirm' the wheel around the rocks. With 20mm pikes you can 'feel' the wheel trying to turn around the rocks, but as the 20mm is so stiff, the forces are transmitted to the bars, and you can feel it trying to turn the bar (rather than the wheel simply squirming). A good firm grip on the bars is needed, and the wheel then tracks nicely!
I've got a meta, which is known for a wiggly back wheel! The 12mm sorts that out nicely too!
DrP
I've never noticed much difference.
Not a real world comparison but, my 04 Mount Vision came with Fox Float 32's RLC forks with a QR. Felt fairly stiff and i didn't notice much (if any) deflection. Bust those forks and fitted a set of Reba SL's with QR. really noticed the difference, much more 'noodly' through the rocky stuff.
Bought a Wolf Ridge fitted with Pike 20mm Maxle, Sun Ringle hubs and Mavic EN 321 rims. The difference is night and day, blat through stuff that would have me pinging around like a pin ball on the Mount Vision. How much is down to the bolt through alone, and how much is down to all the other factors of heavier wheels/stiffer and bigger fork/more robust frame etc.
I've used QR Fox Floats and Rockshox Recons, then tried Pikes 20mm which were vastly better feeling, even to me and i'm pants at riding.
I currently have 20mm Revs. I am very interested in views on these rear 10/12mm bolt through axles as in Hope conversions, anyone tried these out?
Bigbloke - my Wolf Ridge has a 12mm maxle lite on the rear, i don't know if i can really tell the difference because the whole suspension system on the bike is different. The rear wheel does track better but i'd be more inclined to put that down to the whole bike rather that one part in isolation.
I changed the forks and wheels at the same time, from 9mm and skinny XC rims to 15QR and Stans Flow. Made the bike feel like it only went where it was pointed and much less prone to being deflected by rocks/bumps/etc. How much was fork stiffness, how much was extra slackness and travel (40mm), how much was wheel stiffness, who knows? I know I really really like it!
I can't. swapped between pikes and recons on the same bike - no ohte change, no difference I can feel. I'd rather have 20 mm for wheel security but going to the recons saved 1.5 lbs
Not sure
I just get on with riding it and prob adapt to how it handles
I don't tend to analyse things too much 'cos every corner is different and every trail is different at different speeds.
I went from QR Revelations to 20mm Revelations and did feel a difference, but nothing that actualy affected my riding. After a couple of rides, I stopped being aware of it. Same when I wrnt back to the QR ones.
TandemJeremy - Memberassuming you used the same wheel (just switched adapters?) What rim was it?
I can't. swapped between pikes and recons on the same bike - no ohte change, no difference I can feel. I'd rather have 20 mm for wheel security but going to the recons saved 1.5 lbs
Same wheel. Pro 2 / dt 5.1s
if you're the type of rider that notices things like flex
I can't
So I'm the only one who's managed to get their brake caliper to touch the spokes then ? 
No, you're not Graham, It's just that I usually find your posts far too dull to reply to.
bolt thrus definately feel a bit stiffer on stuff you want to just plough through but for an all day ride i actually find a qr fork a bit more forgiving.. (both revs)
@beanierripper, that's interesting... I wonder what others think? forgiving set up... that sounds like something that needs to be thought about.
It's just that I usually find your posts far too dull to reply to
Ooh, you are being Mr Grump today, aren't you ?
You must log in to post.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
