Quick release skewers....which ones?

[beanbag]

I'd like to upgrade the quick release skewers on my bike since the crappy Specialized one on the front popped open during a downhill decent this weekend and scared the crap out of me. (Rear one is a Shimano Deore).

They all look pretty much the same but frankly it's one of the most important parts as it keeps your wheels attached so I'd like something with top-notch quality that won't sprint option like my stty Specialized one.

These are:

- Crank Brothers (Most expensive but I like the two stage tightening and they look the part).
- Hope (Good value and performance plus bling factor)
- Shimano Dura Ace (Boring looks and good price but well rated)

What would be the recommended option? Please add to the list if you know of others....

[hostyle]

No help from me here, but that Crank Brothers stuff looks awesome! I'm in love with their wheels

[Mr Freefall]

beanbag said:

I'd like to upgrade the quick release skewers on my bike since the crappy Specialized one on the front popped open during a downhill decent this weekend and scared the crap out of me. (Rear one is a Shimano Deore).

They all look pretty much the same but frankly it's one of the most important parts as it keeps your wheels attached so I'd like something with top-notch quality that won't sprint option like my stty Specialized one.

These are:

- Crank Brothers (Most expensive but I like the two stage tightening and they look the part).
- Hope (Good value and performance plus bling factor)
- Shimano Dura Ace (Boring looks and good price but well rated)

What would be the recommended option? Please add to the list if you know of others....

I really cant see the point of QR skewers. If you have to carry a repair kit, might as well use these for the sake of an allen key

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Halo-Hex-Key-Skewers-Pair-An...

Mr F

[SkinnyBoy]

I've got the crank brothers on my dandy horse and I have to say they are superbly made and a joy to use. Highly recommend them.

[anonymous-user]

have you considered locakble qrs if you leave the bike around a fair bit?

http://www.venussports.co.uk/index.php?products_id...

[r-kid]

These
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP...

or these

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP...

dependant on how much weight you want to save.

Edited by r-kid on Monday 6th September 14:07

[itsnotarace]

http://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50...

I know the Shimano's are heavier but they are ultra reliable, have a great cam action and a decent amount of closure

[beanbag]

Mr Freefall said:

beanbag said:

I'd like to upgrade the quick release skewers on my bike since the crappy Specialized one on the front popped open during a downhill decent this weekend and scared the crap out of me. (Rear one is a Shimano Deore).

They all look pretty much the same but frankly it's one of the most important parts as it keeps your wheels attached so I'd like something with top-notch quality that won't sprint option like my stty Specialized one.

These are:

- Crank Brothers (Most expensive but I like the two stage tightening and they look the part).
- Hope (Good value and performance plus bling factor)
- Shimano Dura Ace (Boring looks and good price but well rated)

What would be the recommended option? Please add to the list if you know of others....

I really cant see the point of QR skewers. If you have to carry a repair kit, might as well use these for the sake of an allen key

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Halo-Hex-Key-Skewers-Pair-An...

Mr F

I see your point but my circumstances are a bit different. I've got to dismantle my bike each time it goes in my car and seeing as I use it a couple of times a week, it's a bit of a pain to have to lug tools around for this.

So....QR skewer....which one.....??

[louiebaby]

Thanks for bringing this new way to spend money making my bike a few grams lighter with Titanium bits. I hadn't thought about them before, other than some of the shapes won't fit in a Turbo trainer.

The missus will be so pleased.

[rhinochopig]

I have some of these on my hard-tail which is a bit of a weight weenie on a budget bike. For the money I have yet to find better http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/A2Z_Ti_Quick_Rel...

I got mine off ebay for a lot less.

ETA these are Ti.

Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 6th September 14:48

[beanbag]

I took a while to reply to that comment...meetings and all that yadaya!

One skewer that keeps cropping up is the Shimano. They seem to rank above the rest in terms of performance, safety and reliability.

I guess that leads me to the next question. Would there be any difference between an XTR 950 or 970 skewer other than the design?

XTR 970


XTR 950

[itsnotarace]

r-kid said:

These
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP...

or these

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP...

dependant on how much weight you want to save.

Edited by r-kid on Monday 6th September 14:07

They are cheaper from Planet X

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WSPXTISTQR/pla...

[itsnotarace]

beanbag said:

Would there be any difference between an XTR 950 or 970 skewer other than the design?

Newer ones are a bit lighter but functionality remains the same

[snotrag]

For QR's, always stick with Shimano.

[beanbag]

snotrag said:

For QR's, always stick with Shimano.

Two XTR 970 QR skewers ordered. Done and dusted. Ta!

[rhinochopig]

snotrag said:

For QR's, always stick with Shimano.

What makes you say that. Personally I think they're pretty nasty things. I have several makes - Shimano, Hope, A2z Ti's, Campys, and some generic crappy ones.

Out of all of them, the Hope are by far the nicest in terms of action, finish and looks. The only downside is that you can get lighter and they're not cheap. On a budget the A2Z Ti's are also much better made the Shimanos IMO.

[snotrag]

Experience - two years working on hundreds of bikes a week.

Never had complaints about Shimano QR's.

Any occasion where people where complaining of wheels coming loose due to the QR's was solved by fitment of a Shimano QR. Also the offset lever means they fit much better against the frame/fork than most in line ones (like Hopes).


Also, not a fan of the Hope style mechanism with an open friction surface, and the little brass bushing - get filthy and gummed up all too quick.

Same with the QR's.

I really do think a bog standard Shimano QR, particularly the slightly more refined version with the curvy aluminium blade, is the best out there. Just works.

[snotrag]

ETA - This shape



http://www.jensonusa.com/product/qr/QR407A00SIL___FR.jpg

Which I beleive have been branded as Deore, LX, XT, and XTR in their various colour ways. XTR ones perhaps use different material but certainly the same casting and function.

Also, the cam-over function is more obvious than lots of others I've used.

Edited by snotrag on Monday 6th September 16:19

[shalmaneser]

Hope ones are crap.

[mackie1]

Any with an enclosed cam. Shimano are probably the best. They may not look fancy but they clamp a lot better than the exposed cam ones.