Maxle alternatives?

Is the the square edge slot that's bent/worn out? If so re-cut it a bit further round and you'll be good again.

Brand-x do them for about £15 - check the numbers on the current axle and buy the replacement from Brand-X - but I don't think they do them with a QR axle, they are all 6mm allen key attachments.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/brand-x-bolt-thru-axle-2

Edit, they do do one with a lever - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/brand-x-twist-lever-thru-axle-1

Brand X ones here. No idea if they're any good though.

Is the the square edge slot that’s bent/worn out? If so re-cut it a bit further round and you’ll be good again.

Yes, it got seized once and ended up really bent out of shape and needed molegrips on it to get it out.

Recutting it seems a sensible idea but I might do that and keep it as a spare.

It’s my wife’s bike, mine’s got the other version that looks like an old style QR lever. Neither type seems particularly strong.

Cheers I’ve seen the Brand X ones, was hoping for some positive reviews on them 👍

Neither type seems particularly strong.

It's by design - so you don't overtighten them and strip the threads in your (more expensive) forks. Just make sure to use grease on the threads frequently and don't do them up too tight (adjust the cam if necessary).

@frogstomp when I first used one I managed to snap the rear lever before I’d even ridden my new bike. I tried to treat it like a QR lever before I knew how to adjust the closed angle. Quite an embarrassing call to the shop but they took pity and sent me a new one 🤣

I’ve been quite careful ever since!

I have a brand x one, no issues. I don't see why there would be, its a piece of ally with a thread on the end?

Brand X ones here. No idea if they’re any good though.

Yes they are very good... proper 7075 alloy.

You can feel the difference compared to even (though barely) cheaper ones that will get stuck, round off and require some inventive way to remove. (I tapped my cheap one normal thread inside and got it out eventually with a BIG bolt and impact driver... )

I have the Brand-x allen key thru-axles and they work very well - easy to install, and once tightened stay firm. Gone are the days when I was needing a very quick wheel change, so not needing the QR lever benefit.

If you do get the brand x and need to remove it often they do a ‘switch’ lever attachment (sold separately) it’s just a small lever with a 6mm hex on but it can be left in place and it is held by an o-ring in the axle and a notch on the lever. They hold in place surprisingly well , I’ve got one in the rear of my am9 and it hasn’t moved once.

I used the BrandX ones. They’re perfectly good.

I carry a single Allen key (that cost about 99p) to undo them when I’m out.

I've got the Brand-X ones with levers on a couple of bikes, and really like them. Much better than the ones they replaced.

Rockshox own stealth one is good.

phil5556
Full Member

@frogstomp when I first used one I managed to snap the rear lever before I’d even ridden my new bike.

The rear one is crap tbh, breaks without being overtightened and when you look at it you can see why, there's no metal in it.

was hoping for some positive reviews on them 👍

I'm the same. I kind of want to stick to the branded kit, because i feel the unbranded stuff might be dangerous to use, even though it probably isn't.

Shame its 110mm. I've a couple of 100mm maxles, stealth and standard, I could have gifted you one of those. 🙂

Ebay ?.

New

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284963039332?hash=item42591ee864:g:EmIAAOSwCeZjHbwG

Used

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225131187719?hash=item346add4e07:g:a4AAAOSwF8NjBIWk

Donmt Burgtec make them in pretty anodised colours?

Edit - Found the link available in Boost and non-boost. Rear axles also available.
Burgtec pretty colours

I kind of want to stick to the branded kit, because i feel the unbranded stuff might be dangerous to use, even though it probably isn’t.

Brand-x is branded kit...or do you mean you want to spend more money on a fancier name?

Cheers all. I’ve ordered the Brand X one.

£15 is much better value than anything else (apart from dyna’s links which I saw too late!)

I want a lever as we take wheels off to load into the van otherwise a stealth type is the better option.

I just recut mine and filed it down a couple of years ago and it's been fine since.

or do you mean you want to spend more money on a fancier name?

No, just the branded part for the branded fork. So for my rockshox fork I'd prefer to use a rockshox axle, for my fox fork i'd prefer to use a fox axle. I see no harm in that.

Ah ok...yeah, that makes sense and that is generally my thinking, but I didn't this time as the price difference was significant so figured I'd survive with the cheaper one.