Jacks Bicycle and Fitness
Proper Quick Release
 Get To Know Your Quick Release


A) Quick release lever
B) Skewer Springs note direction
C) Skewer
D) Skewer nut
 

Improper use of your quick release mechanism can be dangerous do the fact that it plays an important roll in holding the wheel on to the bicycle. The most common mistake that people make is simply turning the lever like a nut until tight. Used the quick release lever this way will not hold the wheel securely and will loosen causing the rider to have a very bad accident.  Turning the quick release lever like a nut will also put undo stress on the quick release center shaft causing it to prematurely fail. Please contact us if you have any question in the operation of your quick release lever.

Look At The Quick Release Look at the quick release, it should curve towards the center line of the bicycle Look closely at the quick it should be on the same side as the chain.  The quick release should be turn in toward the center of the bicycle.  If the lever is curved outward the quick release is open and not safe.  Opening the quick release lever requires pulling sideways on the quick release lever.  Closing the quick release lever requires the user to fold the quick release sideways to achieve the proper tension to hold the wheel on properly.

Even if the lever reads "closed" and looks right, it may still not be tightened properly. It is a good idea to test how tight it is by trying to open it by pulling sideways on the quick release lever. It should take a good amount of effort to open. Adjusting And Closing Your Quick Release First make sure wheel is positioned all the way up into the fork drop outs (end if the fork).  Second make sure wheel appears to be in the center between the two fork sides or frame sides for rear wheel.  At this point, try to close the lever by folding the lever sideways.  If the lever closes without resistant it is not tight and not safe.  Fold the quick release lever back open and tighten the nut on the opposite side of the quick release a half turn and try closing the quick release lever again.  Repeat this process until quick release lever tension start to get hard when lever is half way closed.  If the lever will not close all the way loosen the nut slightly and try close the quick release lever again.
Removing And Installing Your Wheel Most forks have a small tab or flair at the bottom of the fork drop out which is a safety device to keep the front wheel attached. If the quick release lever opened by accident the wheel retention tabs on the fork will keep the wheel from separating from the bicycle.

To remove the wheel pull sideways on the quick release lever (do not turn it like loosing a nut) when the lever is open at this point the wheel will be loose and you should be able to move the wheel back and forth from side to side in the fork.  Next hold the lever and loosen the nut approximately six turns, this will allow the wheel to slip past the recessed area of the fork where the nut was recessed into.  Removal of the rear wheel will be similar. Pull side ways on quick release lever which will allow the wheel to be slid down and out of frame. Tips For Using Your Quick Release

  • The quick-release levers should be on the same side as the chain of the bike.
  • The quick releases must be fully closed to hold the wheel securely to the bicycle.
  • When you close the quick release lever close it in such a way that nothing can snag on it and accidentally open the quick release.
  • If you ever unscrew the quick release to far just put the spring and nut back on with the spring small end facing inwards. Just try not to lose the little springs. Note picture at top of page..
Click here to edit description