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How to Use Quick-Releases and Thru Axles
Quick-Releases
Most STEVENS bicycles are equipped with quick-releases to ensure fast
adjustments, assembly and disassembly. Be sure to check whether all quick-re-
leases are tight before you set off on your STEVENS bicycle. Quick-releases should
be handled with greatest care, as they directly affect your safety.
Practise the proper use of quick-releases to avoid any accidents.
Quick-release mechanisms essentially consist of two operative elements:
1. The hand lever on one side which creates a clamping force via a cam when
you close it.
2. The lock nut on the other side with which the preload on the threaded rod
(quick-release axle) is set.
Danger:
Do not touch the rotor directly after having stopped, e.g. after a long down-
hill ride, you may burn your fingers! Always let the rotor cool down before
opening the quick-release.
Danger:
Make sure that the levers of both wheel quick-releases are always on
the side opposite to the chain. This will help you to avoid mounting the
front wheel accidentally the wrong way round. On STEVENS bicycles with
disc brakes and quick-releases with 5 mm-axle, it may make sense to
position both levers on the side of the chain drive. This would help you not
to come into contact with the hot rotor and prevent you from having your
fingers burnt. If you are in doubt or if you have any questions, contact your
STEVENS dealer.
Danger:
Never ride a STEVENS
bicycle without having
checked first whether
the wheels are securely
fastened. Risk of
accident!
Danger:
With an insufficiently
closed quick-release the
wheel can come loose,
thus creating a serious
risk of accident!
Caution:
Be sure to lock the
wheels fastened with
quick-releases together
with the frame to an
immovable object when
parking the STEVENS
bicycle.
How to Fasten Components Securely with a Quick-Release
Open the quick-release. The marking “Open” on the lever should become visi-
ble now. Make sure that the component to be fastened is in the accurate position.
For more information see the chapter
“Adjusting the STEVENS Bicycle to
the Rider”
and
“The Wheels”
further below as well as the instructions of the
component manufacturers.
Move the lever back, as if to close it. Now you should be able to read ”Close”
on the outside of the lever. When you start closing the lever you should feel virtually
no resistance with your hand until the lever is at a right angle to the frame/fork.
When continuing to close the lever the resistance you feel should increase
significantly and towards the end even more strength is required to close the
lever. Use the ball of your thumb to push it in all the way while your fingers pull on
an immovable part, such as the fork or the rear stay, but not on a rotor or spoke.
In its end position, the lever should be at a right angle to the quick-release axle,
i.e. it should not stick out. The lever should lie close to the frame or the fork so
that it cannot be opened accidentally. Make sure, however, that the lever is easy to
handle for an actually quick use.
To check whether the lever is securely locked apply pressure to the end of the
hand lever and try to turn it while it is closed. If you can turn the lever around, open
it and increase the preload. Turn the lock nut on the opposite side clockwise by half
a turn. Close the quick-release and check it again for tightness.
Finally lift the bicycle a few centimetres so that the wheel no longer touches
the ground and slightly hit the tyre from above. If it is properly fastened, the wheel
will remain firmly fixed in the drop-outs of the frame or fork without producing
any rattling.
If your seat post is equipped with a quick-release mechanism, check whether
the saddle is firmly fixed by trying to twist it relative to the frame.
Caution:
If you have hub dynamos, insert the connector into the respective socket
immediately.
Note:
To be on the safe side you can replace the quick-releases by special locks.
They can only be opened and closed with a special, coded key or an Allen
key. If you are in doubt or if you have any questions, contact your STEVENS
dealer.
