How to: quick release skewers (duh!)

It seems that quick release wheels should require no explanation, right?

I see QR's used incorrectly all the time, so perhaps they are not as simple as they may seem.

Note:

-Always disengage your brakes before attempting to remove or install a wheel. There are several easy ways to do this, depending on the type of brakes you have.

A quick release skewer has two ends. One end has a lever, and the other has an adjustable cam.

1) To remove a QR wheel, open the lever so that it is perpendicular to the wheel (or depending on the type of skewer, wider than that---as wide as 180 degrees).

2) On some bicycles you may need to loosen the cam on the opposite side of the skewer by rotating it counter clockwise in order to free the wheel.

3) To secure the wheel, place it in the bicycle's drop outs or fork ends.

4) Keep the lever perpendicular (or wider open depending on the type of the skewer) to the wheel.

5) Tighten the cam by rotating it clockwise. After the cam is finger tight, try closing the lever. If the lever will not close all the way because there is too much resistance, open the lever and loosen the cam. If the lever closes easily because there is two little resistance, open the lever and tighten the cam some more.

Levers should be positioned such that when closed, they are parallel to a tube of the bicycle (such as a fork blade, chain stay, or seat stay) so that the probability of them catching and opening accidentally is decreased.

Tradition that QR levers should be on the left side of the bicycle, and cams on the right.

Questions or tips? Email me.