QR Skewers on E bikes?

Posted by SwvellyBents@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 16 comments

I'm near the end stage of choosing my first ebike and wondering if I can expect quick release skewers on my axles?

I'm an experienced biker and accustomed to doing my own repairs, and maintenance, but it seems from most things I read on this forum ebike riders don't do on the road tire repairs.

Are QR skewers impractical on ebikes or is there some other reason so many riders let the shops do their tire changes/ repairs?

Thanks for all the great info/ opinions, folks!

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SwvellyBents@reddit (OP)

Thanks for all the great advice. You guys rock!

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JeremyFromKenosha@reddit

They're not the preferred choice, because most eBikes have disc brakes and alignment can be a pain.

I have one eBike with QR skewer on the front, and the brake is always dragging a bit because the alignment isn't precise. I get it locked in, but it's not aligned right when the skewer all the way down; it's a bit further up. I tighten the hell out of it, but the first time I hit a good bump, it's back to dragging again.

Bottom line is if you have disc brakes, make sure you get one with a thru axle front. Rear can be nutted axle and it's fine, but insist on a thru-axle front.

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Shiney_Metal_Ass@reddit

Get a mid drive and you can have QR

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SwvellyBents@reddit (OP)

I'm going for the Velotric Discover M mid drive.

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Shiney_Metal_Ass@reddit

Yeah I meant to tell you that as an experienced cyclist, you'll definitely want a torque sensing mid drive

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BassesNBikes@reddit

Or modern through-axles.

Hub motors are typically bolt-on, but some have more modern designs.

And plenty of e-bike riders do repairs in the wild.

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BoringBob84@reddit

Or modern through-axles.

I don't see the benefit. It seems like a gimmick to sell new bikes to dentists. We already have solid axles and QR skewers with methods to prevent disk brakes from ejecting the wheel.

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celeste_ferret@reddit

The benefit is frame and fork stiffness.

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BoringBob84@reddit

Thank you. I was not aware of that.

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ancientstephanie@reddit

QR skewers make the wheels too easy to steal, and are basically an invitation to every thief and vandal on a silver platter. They're not suitable for commuters in urban environments unless you secure them with hose clamps, which kindof defeats the point.

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BoringBob84@reddit

QR skewers make the wheels too easy to steal

That is certainly a disadvantage, requiring the rider to lock the wheels and the frame. I use Pinhead lock skewers on QR wheels. They are more difficult for me to remove than skewers with levers, but easier than solid axles or through axles.

I only brought this up because they mentioned, "modern," as if that was an advantage. My complaints with through axles are:

They require precise holes and threads in the frame.
You have to remove the axle completely to remove the wheel.
If you over-torque it, your frame is screwed.

The only advantage I see is that they make the bike more idiot-proof against improper installation causing disk brakes to eject the wheel.

But in the process, manufacturers just made millions of older wheels and frames incompatible. And that might be the point (i.e., to force people to buy new bikes, wheels, and frames). And worse, they didn't even standardize on an axle size!

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BassesNBikes@reddit

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chrispark70@reddit

I am in the minority, but I absolutely prefer non QR on bikes for the wheels and seat. These things are made for rural areas where bike or bike component theft is low.

The only real downside is having to carry the right wrench to deal with flats. But you already need a pump, patch kit or spare tube. What's an extra wrench between friends?

Also, nuts are a sign the bike and wheels are not worth stealing by anyone than the most opportune thief.

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