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My youngest is currently riding a GT Avalanche Sport hardtail. He has just recently started gaining some confidence and jumping on it.
He has had a couple moments when he has fell off but when he did today the back wheel came out, it’s a 9mm QR. I have tightened this up as much as I could previously however I’m wondering if there is some form of adapter that helps to keep the wheel in should he crash again.
His confidence is rocked at the moment because of the few crashes he has had however he is really good on his bike so keen to keep him riding and be confident with the bike.
Posted : 14/04/2025 9:06 pm
I assume it's just a non branded skewer? Cant say ive ever had a rear wheel eject itself in a crash or otherwise so that seems odd but then i do tend to use Shimano QR skewers that are considered good quality; maybe stick a wanted on the classifieds for a Shimano QR?
Posted : 14/04/2025 9:31 pm
zerocool reacted
This might seem like a stupid question, but you are tightening it up correctly?
Other than that, buy a Shimano QR. Deore will do, it doesn't have to be fancy.
Posted : 14/04/2025 9:43 pm
As above, Shimano are pretty rock solid. You can also get the security type that are basically a nut and bolt that you tighten with a key, but they should be checked every ride anyway especially if he's doing jumps.
Or maybe he just wants you to buy him a new bike with thru axles. 🤣
Posted : 15/04/2025 5:53 am
You can also get the security type that are basically a nut and bolt that you tighten with a key
They have significantly lower endloads than a (properly) tightened QR skewer. So will eject more often!
Posted : 15/04/2025 9:23 am
I'd do 2 things.
1. Buy some Shimano skewers
2. Watch a YouTube vid to make sure you/he are tightening them up properly.
Posted : 15/04/2025 9:31 am
Or maybe he just wants you to buy him a new bike with thru axles.
It's the STW way! We don't let our children ride old standards!
Posted : 15/04/2025 10:10 am
And if the nut is alloy not steel, you will strip the threads. Ask me how I know, five minutes before a session on the velodrome! (My front track wheel is a QR hub - the replacement has a steel nut and bolt and QR skewers are not allowed).
Posted : 15/04/2025 11:10 am
I'd do 2 things.
1. Buy some Shimano skewers
2. Watch a YouTube vid to make sure you/he are tightening them up properly.
This +1
But, 9mm QR? That was a weird DT swiss through axle design wasn't it? Do you mean the conventional 4-5mm QR inside a 9mm axle? Just checking you're getting the right advice.
I've managed to partially dislocate a wheel from the dropout in a crash, but it was a massive crash and I'm a lot heavier than a kid! Which is why people are suggesting check you're using the QR properly, it shouldn't be falling out. Having said that, they're not allowed in BMX or track racing IIRC, but can get past commissars with a zip tie around the lever/frame (but all BMX/track bikes have nutted axles so it's a moot point).
Shimano QR's (or other with an internal cam) can break / wear out eventually as well, they feel tight but no longer actually provide any clamping force.
Posted : 15/04/2025 11:34 am
They have significantly lower endloads than a (properly) tightened QR skewer. So will eject more often!
I didn't realise that, good to know!
Posted : 15/04/2025 3:13 pm
The only time I've had problems with a QR was with a flashy aftermarket one that came on some second hand wheels. It just wouldn't tighten up securely and was a constant niggle. Found a bottom of the range Shimano skewer in my gfs shed, put that in and never had another issue.
Posted : 15/04/2025 8:11 pm
I had some halo porkies about 20 years ago that were great, you could really crank those bastards tight.
Never had an issue with it on the back of an Orange 5 riding at places like Wharncliffe and Stainburn.
In fact, I think it's on the back of my wife's bike now!
Posted : 15/04/2025 10:49 pm
Rear axles are usually 10mm?
Posted : 16/04/2025 12:18 pm
Rear axles are usually 10mm?
It depends........
IIRC dropouts are nominally 3/8ths, which is ~9.5mm, so rear hubs have generally been 10mm except on cheap bikes. But the ends on QR end-caps of non-threaded-axle hubs are 9mm. Front hubs are 9mm so save a few gramms as they're under less load as the wheel is able to move in more axis.
Then there are 10mm x 1mm pitch, 10mm x 26tpi.......
And if you really want to have a bad day in the workshop, Shimano (who seem to use 10x1 on every other rear hub) use 3/8 x 26 on nexus and i think alfine rear hubs! Yet use metric 9x1 on the front of the same wheelsets.
The actual diameter isn't that critical, it's the knurled face of the hub gripping against the frame that stops it moving.
Posted : 16/04/2025 1:17 pm
