Quick release lever

[rockyraccoon]

Does it matter which direction the wheels' quick release levers point when locked?

On the front wheel, I keep the lever locked vertically pointing upwards alongside the fork.

Now for the back wheel, should it be pointing horizontal (forward or back) or diagonal alongside the seatstays?

 

[raindog]

I follow the line of the seat stay, but couldn't tell you why.

 

[rusky]

[QUOTE 1276120"]
The risk with it pointing forward is that it gets caught on something and opens. Not that I've ever heard of this happening.
[/quote]

That's what I've always heard too but thinking about this now, if something catches that can open the QR, what is it really likely to do!

 

[Smokin Joe]

[QUOTE 1276120"]
The risk with it pointing forward is that it gets caught on something and opens. Not that I've ever heard of this happening.
[/quote]
That's because it's never happened.

It's one of those myths that has grown up in recent years without foundation.

 

[mickle]

In line with air-flow to minimise frontal area and reduce Cd.

 

[Garz]

In line with air-flow to minimise frontal area and reduce Cd.

This

 

[iAmiAdam]

If anything could open the QR, it will of hit the bars before, so nothing to worry about

 

[youngoldbloke]

I follow the line of the seat stay/fork. It has been suggested that to have the lever pointing elsewhere could pose a hazard to another rider in the event of a collision.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I follow the line of the seat stay/fork. It has been suggested that to have the lever pointing elsewhere could pose a hazard to another rider in the event of a collision.

By the time the QR lever reaches them they will have been decapitated by the shifters and pedals.

 

[slowmotion]

By the time the QR lever reaches them they will have been decapitated by the shifters and pedals.

Thank you.

 

[zacklaws]

I keep mine tucked in alongside the rear of the front forks, and tucked in alongside the rear stay. I used to tuck them tight into the fork and stay, but one day, found I had tightened it a bit too tight and could not get my fingers behind to open the lever and had to get some string to thread behind to pull the lever open. Out on the road it would have been a disaster if I could find no string, so I always clamp the lever tight with the knowledge I can get my fingers behind. But not all QR levers are the same so this may not apply to some of them as they are more curved and easier to grip.

 

[youngoldbloke]

By the time the QR lever reaches them they will have been decapitated by the shifters and pedals.

- probably true!
Another explanation - "Orient the lever so that, when closed, it is pointing upward in order to avoid hitting it on passing objects when riding." (from a carbon wheel instruction manual). Again, hard to see how that could happen without you coming off the bike anyway before the wheel had a chance to fall out of the dropout, especially given the 'lawyers lips'.
Probably doesn't really matter how they are aligned, as long as you are able to operate them effectively.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If you look at photos of pro riders from the Merckx era and before virtually all riders had their levers pointing straight back. Along the stays is just the modern fashion, I stick to the old way for the same reason as Zacklaws, trying to prise a lever away from the stay or fork with cold hands by the roadside is a right PITA.

 

[screenman]

Straight back for me also, trying to get a grip on the lever when you cannot get your fingers behind it is a no no for me.