3
3. Removing and installing Bolt-on
Wheels
a. Removing a Bolt-on front Wheel
. If your bike has rim brakes, disengage the
brake’s quick-release mechanism to open the
clearance between the tire and the brake pads
(see SECTION 4.C, figs. 11 through 15).
. Using a correct size wrench, loosen the two
axle nuts.
3. If your front fork has a clip-on type secondary
retention device, disengage it and go to he
next step. If your front fork has an integral
secondary retention device, loosen the axle
nuts enough to allow wheel removal; then go
to the next step.
4. Raise the front wheel a few inches off the
ground and tap the top of the wheel with the
palm of your hand to knock the wheel out of
the fork ends.
b. installing a Bolt-on front Wheel
. With the steering fork facing forward, insert
the wheel between the fork blades so that the
axle seats firmly at the top of the slots which
are at the tips of the fork blades. The axle nut
washers should be on the outside, between
the fork blade and the axle nut. If your bike
has a clip-on type secondary retention device,
engage it.
2. 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, use
the correct size wrench to tighten the axle nuts
enough so that the wheel stays in place;
then use a wrench on each nut simultaneously
to tighten the nuts as tight as you can.
3. Re-engage the brake quick-release mechanism
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.
c. Removing a Bolt-on Rear Wheel
WaRninG
if yoUR Bike is eQUiPPed With an
inteRnal GeaR ReaR hUB, do not
attemPt to Remove the ReaR Wheel.
The removal and re-installation of internal gear
hubs require special knowledge. Incorrect
removal or assembly can result in hub failure,
which can cause you to lose control and fall.
. If your bike has rim brakes, disengage the
brake’s quick-release mechanism to open the
clearance between the tire and the brake pads
(see SECTION 4.C, figs. 11 through 15).
. Shift the rear derailleur to high gear (the
smallest rear sprocket) and pull the derailleur
body back with your right hand.
3. Using the correct size wrench, loosen the two
axle nuts.
4. Lift the rear wheel off the ground a few inches
and, with the derailleur still pulled back, push
the wheelforward and down until it comes out
of the rear dropouts.
