68
69
WaRninG: securely clamping the wheel takes considerable
force. If you can fully close the quick release without wrapping
your fingers around the fork blade for leverage, and the
lever does not leave a clear imprint in the palm of your hand,
the tension is insufficient. open the lever; turn the tension
adjusting nut clockwise a quarter turn; then try again.
6. If the lever cannot be pushed all the way to a position parallel to
the fork blade, return the lever to the OPEN position. Then turn the
tension adjusting nut counterclockwise one-quarter turn and try
tightening the lever again.
7. Re-engage the brake to restore correct brake pad-to-rim clearance;
spin the wheel to make sure that it is centered in the frame and
clears the brake pads; then squeeze the brake lever and make sure
that the brakes are operating correctly.
Springs
a
Tension
adjusting nut
b
open
closed
c
Front Wheel - Quick Release
Installing a quick release front wheel
In a quick release system, the wheel hub is clamped in place by the force of the quick release cam pushing
against one dropout and pulling the tension adjusting nut, by way of the skewer, against the other dropout.
The amount of clamping force is controlled by the tension adjusting nut. Turning the tension adjusting nut
clockwise while keeping the cam lever from rotating increases clamping force; turning it counterclockwise
while keeping the cam lever from rotating reduces clamping force. Less than half a turn of the tension
adjusting nut can make the difference between safe clamping force and unsafe clamping force.
1. Remove the tension adjusting nut and one of the small springs, then slide the quick release skewer through
the hub. If your bicycle has a disc brake, insert the skewer starting on the side with the brake rotor. Replace
the spring and tension adjusting nut (fig a).
2. If your bicycle has rim brakes, disengage them to increase the clearance between the tire and brake pads.
3. Install the wheel into the dropouts, making sure the quick release lever is on the left side of the bicycle.
4. Holding the quick release lever in the OPEN position with one hand, tighten the tension adjusting nut with
your other hand until it is finger tight against the fork dropout.
5. While pushing the wheel firmly to the top of the slots in the fork dropouts, and at the same time centering the
wheel rim in the fork, move the quick-release lever upwards and swing it into the CLOSED position (fig b & c)
The lever should now be parallel to the fork blade and curved toward the wheel. To apply enough clamping
force, you should have to wrap your fingers around the fork blade for leverage, and the lever should leave a
clear imprint in the palm of your hand.