Convert Solid Axle/Bolt-On Wheel To Quick Release Axle

Рет қаралды 340,563

7 жыл бұрын

I show how to convert a solid axle to a quick release axle on a bolt on bike wheel. I do the conversion on a rear wheel in the video, but the process is about the same for the front. I ordered the quick release axle from eBay and it came with the cones and nuts. You may had to add or subtract some spacers to get the spacing correct. I also installed new bearings. Check your local bike shop for any parts you might need.
BTW, the freewheel is a Suntour Powerflo and the teeth are supposed to look like that.
A question often asked is can the cones/spacers be used on the new axle. Not usually. Solid axles and quick release axles often have different sizes/threadings (see below). So the cones won't likely fit. And the spacers may or may not fit.
Common (not complete) axle diameters/threadings:
Front solid axle 5/16" x 24 TPI
Front QR axle 9mm x 1mm thread
Rear solid axle 3/8" x 24 or 26 TPI
Rear QR axle 10mm x 1mm thread
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Пікірлер: 439

@RJTheBikeGuy 5 жыл бұрын

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

@georgiaboy1252 4 жыл бұрын

Ian Brown kinda like a manual transmission in a truck its a theft repellent might as well put a huffy sticker on it while your at it

@georgiaboy1252 4 жыл бұрын

hell yea southern born and raised

@RJTheBikeGuy 4 жыл бұрын

Or you could cable lock the wheels up with the frame when you lock it. Or use locking skewers.

@williamchavezjr.347 3 жыл бұрын

Hub removal and installation for GMC Denali 6061 road series Rear wheel

@DrewMillz123 2 жыл бұрын

Hey RJ. I ordered a axel from Amazon not thinking about the difference between the front and rear like a air head… I received a 9 mm and I had intended on placing it on my rear hub. Would you say I shouldn’t or do you think I can safely get away with it? I’m assuming it’s going to leave some play but I haven’t even put them together to test it out. Thanks for your helpful videos! Take care👍

@michaelmcfadden4397 6 жыл бұрын

I was a recreational cyclist untill Halfords did a terrible job of truing a wheel for me so I went to youtube and found RJ the Bike Guy, I am now the local bike mechanic.

@bostonj7845 3 жыл бұрын

Don’t he sound exactly like the car guy Scotty Kilmer?

@AF.256 3 жыл бұрын

@@bostonj7845 he is the Scotty Kilmer of Bikes

@CHISELCHIPPER68 2 жыл бұрын

@@bostonj7845 barely. Scotty drags out and tones down his last words for emphasis and he is funnier too! Same range of pitch but not close for recognition of similarity. Trust me. I looked at about five of Kilmer's videos tonight before I got here.

@CHISELCHIPPER68 2 жыл бұрын

@@AF.256 no. Of cars.

@nathanmciver6496 Жыл бұрын

Lol! Brilliant!

@GHOST-gq2ty 5 жыл бұрын

I ditched park tool, this dude is the best

@Nickskis22 3 жыл бұрын

Yes but it’s nice to have both haha. Park is more when you have the fancy shit and is nice to learn the right way. This is better because he uses tools laying around instead of a 49 dollar wrench that you only use once haha.

@jubei961 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah RJ is pretty nice and his videos aren't astronomically complex LOL

@burntkat 5 жыл бұрын

As always, whenever I have a bike question, I find you have already answered it. Well done sir!

@qwerty1975ish 2 жыл бұрын

Top man RJ for sure. Just recently completed changing every bearing on a old mountain bike that was destined for the skip. RJ videos guided me every step of the way. Picked up replacement bottom bracket, rear 145mm axle, free wheel and bottom bracket removal tool for €41. I only wish i had the means to access tools and parts as a youngster. RJ certainly demystified the dark art of hub overhauls and all things 2 wheeled. They should teach these maintenance skills to teenager's. Big respecto.

@bosanderspublictheology Жыл бұрын

you can't believe how helpful these are. EVERY time that I google how to do something on these bikes I am rebuilding your videos are the first to come up and I get excited. Thank you.

@Mario7p 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you didn't lose your bearings making this video!

@ollieh98 4 ай бұрын

I feel like not enough people appreciate this humour 😂

@dalecs47 3 жыл бұрын

Please: Always lock down the the bearing cone on the drive side first, lock it down tight. Make all bearing adjustments from the non-drive side. Why? Because you can't get to the adjustment on the drive side after the freewheel is installed and if by any chance you did not get the lock nut tight enough on the drive side, it comes loose, you will be sorry later. I recently experienced this out on the road, after having wheel worked on by a shop mechanic. So disappointing.

@christophergreen5735 7 жыл бұрын

As the logging truck owners I know here in B.C. would say... "Grease is cheaper than parts." :-)

@CanyonWanderer 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent as stated before and this weekend I actually converted a rear wheel to quick release using this video!

@Bismuth09 4 жыл бұрын

So how much grease do you want in your wheels? RJ: *Yes*

@BigBleuDesign 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos are perfect! I have dang near rebuilt my bike without stress thanks to you.

@Hitch179 2 жыл бұрын

Every time I have a problem I come to RJ. He has the answers to all my questions. This man is a bike genius. Thank you RJ. 🙏

@TheRiseley 3 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful. I am converting my bike to an exercise bike. I ran into problems because my back wheel is solid. Now I know I can replace it with a quick release axle. Thanks a million

@bidkarsalazar626 Жыл бұрын

I know your video is 6 years plus old but it was the best I found. Thank you. I was able to change my bike to a quick release with your help. Thank you again

@kroynenno 7 жыл бұрын

Nicely done, RJ. Very practical. I appreciated the tools you were using.

@bigron26048 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! Very helpful! After seeing it I converted my rear solid axle to a quick release with no problem, THANKS!!!

@badrfisal 5 жыл бұрын

Ronald Poret hello dude is it functional after these 3 months. did you face any problem with this conversion?

@elluardzenus 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. I've tried to replace my vintage bike's rear wheel with new one but have lost my way how to fit the hub space. It helps a lot!

@charesttube 2 жыл бұрын

Just did this today on a pair of second hand wheels I picked up for $50. Also to note, this is to add a second set of wheels for my home-built 90's Trek Mulitrack 7500 hybrid to gravel bike with road shifters. All was done following your videos. I've learned so much and now master fixing all the bikes in my house for the family. My every day wheels have 42" gravel tires have an 11-42 cassette with a 2x8 50-32 chainrings. I use it to commute to work 20 miles x 2 but the last 6 are on trails in Lexington, MA. Interesting enough, the qr converted set had a freewheel so I found an 8 speed freewheel and everything still shifts great. The QR converted set might be road wheels (with the current tires) or 26 mm gravel tires and I may add fenders that are already bought and in my basement. I haven't decided yet, but know that you make these fixes possible for the world! Thank you RJ

@charesttube 2 жыл бұрын

42 mm gravel tires!

@johnhenrick2298 4 жыл бұрын

I won't be swapping my solid axles for QR, but I like to learn. Great video. Thank you!

@lucianonarno1408 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome RJ! Another great video. Would love to do this to my vintage mtb, will look around for parts. Also, I saw your video about the park tool chain cleaner and got myself one, it is awesome! makes cleaning all my bikes much faster.

@flyingratchet 5 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video-this is better than taking a bicycle repair course! Thank you!

@CanyonWanderer 5 жыл бұрын

Super, gonna use that this winter to do some converting, thanks a lot!

@martyntilley6272 6 жыл бұрын

Cool video RJ, my Dawes Cougar is going to be converted now! I'm sold on the idea of a quick release..thanks for the vid 👍🏼

@GameplayerSolCley 2 жыл бұрын

17:52 the most important part for me is to know how to instal that thing your left hand is touching at 17:50,51.52,53, your videos save so much money and I get so many tips even it is in english. Thank you very much.

@paulconstantin2673 5 жыл бұрын

I learn alot from you RJ,watching you how to fix,good video and a big up for you

@davehen4289 7 жыл бұрын

Cheers RJ, nice to see what's involved.

@robindietz5828 Жыл бұрын

RJ you have some great informative videos. Keep up the good work!

@jonahbert111 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, very informative about the axle. I always wondered what was in there and how to deal with it. Excellent.

@greatmouflon Жыл бұрын

You sir have my subscription and my life-long gratitude. Super well done and well explained. Keep up the great work, I'll we watching all the videos :)

@dfield1955 8 ай бұрын

i wanted to convert from QR to regular because ive had the QR axles come lose. this video still helped me with the opposite. thank you.

@andrewpintar1620 2 жыл бұрын

I am thinking about this sort of conversion for a SS, scratching my head ho to do it. As always, there's already an RJ video! Amazing work!

@pipermoonshine Жыл бұрын

I finally know what a cone is. thanks RJ.

@edwinromilly4645 4 жыл бұрын

v good & clear ,plus v good clear filming/editing etc-only Reservation is he makes it look too easy when it is quite skilled..may attempt though & having good tools etc..Always Love the way he improvises and can problem solve...as in the real world you encounter Complications not many manuals cover..This is first class -luv the vids please keep doin them for us apprentices..Toptastic 👍👍👍thanks again

@fed9096 Жыл бұрын

so well explained thank you..took me 1/2 an hour to switch to a rear quick release, plus 3 days waiting for parts ha ha!

@federicopresti 7 жыл бұрын

I thought you were going to drill out the hole for the skewer on a solid axle :P

@ianc8316 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video. It's a much easier job if you replace the original 9.5mm 3/8 inch axle with an identical hollow, then you can swap the cones, spaces and nuts without having to fuss around making the new axle match measurements.

@whitepawrolls 3 жыл бұрын

This was a nice video as all of yours are. I found it helpful swapping my own axles. I however went from qr to solid axles for mine on the rear wheel of my tadpole trike as I wanted to use a bike trailer that was not qr compatible.

@VegasCyclingFreak 7 жыл бұрын

That was a good video, thanks for sharing

@marciooki5820 2 жыл бұрын

I can ride my bike again because of this video.thank you sir!

@DavidFraser007 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I need to do this. Way back when I lived in London I had my wheels stolen and I has the wheels converted to solid axles. Now I want to change back again.

@johnmcmahon5967 Жыл бұрын

Totally informative, RJ! Thanks!!

@gideonilm4983 3 жыл бұрын

amazing explanation. that was exactly what I was looking for.

@bigron26048 5 жыл бұрын

On my Schwinn I have a quick release on the front but not on the back, so I'm thinking about putting one on the back to, that's where this video becomes very helpful.👌

@mr.klutchrednose2700 3 жыл бұрын

THIS RJ GUY IS N EXCELLENT INSTRUKTOR N SEEMS LIKE A GREAT DUDE 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@IsraelMagalit 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome. I don't understand how people can dislike this 😕

@bishplis7226 6 жыл бұрын

bmw fans!

@astritzyberaj6132 2 жыл бұрын

Well done bud,,I found it very helpful the way you explained it,,,thanks..

@OldNavajoTricks 2 ай бұрын

Hmm, looks like a three beer job and I only have one in the fridge. I'd best buy more before the QRs arrive tomorrow 😂🤘 Great tute, many thanks from the mother country.

@bigron26048 5 жыл бұрын

RJ The Bike Guy..."you rock"!

@Bikeops2021 5 жыл бұрын

Might have been a couple years ago but still very useful & thanks.

@nowthenad3286 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I'm going to watch it in reverse now because I want to go back to a solid axle so I can use some security nuts.

@danhasnedl_CZ 2 жыл бұрын

did this yesterday, thank you for the instructions

@MAURY675 7 жыл бұрын

Good job RJ! nice video

@1g2002541 4 жыл бұрын

very helpful video! bravo for the tip at the end

@duckman12569 4 ай бұрын

Learned a few things, very nice

@jasonyoung1898 4 жыл бұрын

If anything else I really appreciate that you showed the world the propose of the holes in rulers. You sir are a national treasure

@mukeshpandya4171 7 жыл бұрын

Again a Nice Instructional video!

@memphisddeb 4 жыл бұрын

Oh crap. Think I'll just get a new bike.

@SergioFlores6170 7 жыл бұрын

Great video, I've been wanting to do that on my bike. Thanks

@awlonghurst 4 жыл бұрын

"Grease is the word" - hahaha. Nice one. Great informative video, thank you so much I'm about to do the same to one of my bikes.

@DavidCulshawmer-r 7 жыл бұрын

well a mate of mine asked me a few months ago if it was possible to do this so he could put his mtb on a trainer machine , my answer was probably not , I now stand corrected haha , thanks R.J. another great video ;) ( i'll have to show him this video now :P )

@andreiguarin1409 3 жыл бұрын

This is not an RJ video unless he's cutting brake/shifter cables! 🤣 Take my like sir, great video as always

@ibrahimhartavi8931 2 ай бұрын

Perfect explanation. Thanks!

@dynamic75 2 жыл бұрын

Great demo. Thank you!

@jgds9520 2 ай бұрын

I found a quick release axle for 6€ so this is perfect for me. Thank you

@SAM-zt2uy 3 жыл бұрын

Just noticed QR axel on eBay and skewer is about £10 looks easy enough with your in depth guide and will make getting the bike in the car so easy with both wheels off

@JackNatti 4 жыл бұрын

Scotty Kilmer of bicycles!

@guadarrama353 3 жыл бұрын

Ja ja ja ja

@ehcelikok2267 3 жыл бұрын

Endless money pit. One of my customers back and in the day and all, it was just endless headache.

@Loudes012 5 күн бұрын

"Giant" brand bikes are endless money pits as they age. Buy a Toyota bike! Ha!

@soihavetoplay 6 жыл бұрын

great video, very helpful!

@udmbfckx2916 4 жыл бұрын

The 78 dislikes, a breakdown: 1) Trolls - There are always no-reason trolls. It is a part of youtube, just like anything else. 2) Rich snobs who can't understand that someone is on a budget and appreciate the cheap mods. 3) Meant to press the like but by mistake pressed the dislike and didn't notice. 4) Competitors. Other youtubers with similar channels. Competitor's friends and families doing them 'a favor'.

@Gojira_Wins 4 жыл бұрын

5) People who dont like using lots of grease.

@lukeb4632 2 жыл бұрын

I almost disliked your comment, good thing you mentioned ppl that dislike and don't notice😂

@Carlos-the-cyclist 7 жыл бұрын

Nice. I once went to a bike shop & asked if this can be done? They said no but this video showed it can. Also like that vice you got

@RJTheBikeGuy 7 жыл бұрын

It's a drill press vise. I got it at Harbor Freight.

@double_d_8885 Жыл бұрын

Just fabulous bob

@mikel4510 5 жыл бұрын

Crap! Wish I'd watched this video before removing the bolt on axle! That's why I'm a padawan and you are the Jedi Master of bike repair.

@chrisfielder4650 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, really informative video 👍

@akunyer 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks you for the video . It really helps !!

@ronniewizzo 4 жыл бұрын

Well done , cool vid lesson

@dominickray5103 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I went to a local bike shop to see if they offer this sort of conversion as one of their services. They told me not only did they not do it but its something that can't be done because of the frame of the bike was built for bolt and not quick release.

@RJTheBikeGuy 3 жыл бұрын

LOL!

@john-di1bn 3 жыл бұрын

i think they didnt do it because maybe you got a stamped dropouts in your frame which is thinner than forged dropouts and qr axles dont hold well on thin stamped dropouts because sometimes the qr axle may stick out beyond the stamped dropouts' thickness thus preventing it to hold well onto the frame also, if you plan to convert into qr on a rear wheel meant for freewheels i wont recommend it because the asymmetrical lengths of the axle on each side may cause the axle to bend due to the leverage of the dropout and the hub (mostly on the drive side because its longer than the nd side) and a qr axle is not as sturdy and rigid than a solid axle because its hollow. a hub meant for cassette type cogs are able to get away with this because the axle spacing are even on each side because the freehub holds the bearings as well, making bent axles much more less common

@pocopal 5 жыл бұрын

good one..clear explanation,,,,thanks!

@that70sschwinn 7 жыл бұрын

Nice detailed information...

@edgardaspilcueta738 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. Measuring caliper is very useful!! Thank you RJ!!!

@1dd434 7 жыл бұрын

Great video, thanks.

@bradbolin2139 7 жыл бұрын

"Grease is the word!" LMAO! That was funny!!!!

@dannydiaz9331 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video sir.....

@roncooke2188 5 жыл бұрын

Yes very useful interesting i like watching

@jackadamsdaniels6719 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this

@derekhobbs1102 6 жыл бұрын

I bought a 5 pack of shimano QR axles today, I plan on converting my beach cruiser to quick release for ease of transport without tools.

@m00nbugs 7 жыл бұрын

Nice video. I predict, that in time, this will become one of your more popular videos. Would have been a whole lot easier if you reused the old cones, spacers and locknuts. Glad you didn't though. I'll be using this guide to convert my old commuter bikes so I don't have to haul around a wrench to fix the occasional flat tire. Thanks again for all the great videos.=)

@RJTheBikeGuy 7 жыл бұрын

The solid axle cones have a different threading.

@m00nbugs 7 жыл бұрын

Really, I did not catch that in the video. Maybe that's why you had to file down the drop outs? =)

@RJTheBikeGuy 7 жыл бұрын

Solid rear axles I think are 3/8" 26tpi. The QR rear axle 10mm with 1.0mm threads. The QR axle is just a touch larger.

@christophergreen5735 7 жыл бұрын

3/8 = 0.375", while 10mm= 0.39370078". About 0.0187" or just over 1/64th " difference. So some judicious filing is probably necessary. And maybe spray on some quick drying clear acrylic coat after...

@Wireman134 3 жыл бұрын

Important to use a serrated lock nut on both sides of the OLD. Solid axles use torque to tighten more.

@celynjones4958 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet as a nut. Cheers RJ 👍

@outerstellar7186 7 жыл бұрын

you are magician

@starlight4649 Жыл бұрын

Dad bought a crappy bike from Walmart, said it would work just fine he rode it for a few months, rear axle got worn so bad that it made the wheel wobble. Now im replacing it with a quick release as well as replacing all of the bearing balls and grease (which were chock full of metal dust when I removed it)

@johnsun2416 Жыл бұрын

Thief: "Thank for making my job more easier to steal"

@m00nbugs 6 жыл бұрын

Revisiting this post because I'm converting an old Raleigh Capri front wheel. The rim is rusted and I used some credits from the LBS to get a new DT swiss wheel. The new axel is too big(thick) to fit in the fork dropout guess I need to do some filing. The solid axels are a bit thinner than the hollow axel the skewer style uses.

@luckysaturn720 2 жыл бұрын

You dont know how much you just lifted off my shoulders

@bidarvandi Жыл бұрын

is it first time you made,Convert Solid Axle/Bolt-On Wheel To Quick Release Axle

@WillFromWithin 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@surajdubey2740 Жыл бұрын

Hey, thank you for the informative video. This just opens up so many avenues for me for cycling. I can't tell you how happy I am feeling right now. I have a question: the total length of my current solid rear axle is 175mm. However, I see that all the hollow axles options for purchase are only 145mm. Do I need to look for a 175mm hollow axle and a corresponding skewer (don't see any options in the market as everything is just 145mm axles)? Or am I missing something here? Also, what are "through axles" they seem to be an innovation over skewers. Can you please make a video on through axles?

@rogerdutton9930 Жыл бұрын

I just finally refitted everything on my touring ebike and found most of the problems highlighted here. I just regressed the existing stuff and refitted, with matching axle protrusion on both sides (+-1mm) Now my freaking rear hydraulic brake does nothing, lever back to the bar, zero braking. No sign of fluid leakage anywhere either? It just never ends huh?😁👍

@StoneAgeProductionsAdventure 3 жыл бұрын

Hey RJ, just found your channel. I have a question. My front wheel is bolt but i smashed it up so need to get a whole new wheel. The only ones that I have seen (secondhand) are quick release. Would I need to change/do anything or would it fit straight onto the bike??

@creepergamingboy 6 жыл бұрын

I have bent axel so I am converting it to qr at the same time am I just wondering how would I work out how long of a qr skewer I will need to go through it