Thru axle vs QR (titanium disc frame)

[vickster]

I'd pretty much decided on an Enigma Etape disc which comes with QR wheels (British brand, lots of customisation possible, accessible, very good CS when I visited them last week, the right price etc)

Enigma have no plans to change the frame to thru axles as they don't believe the ride of this specific frame will be improved, and the extra 'stiffness' might even be detrimental to comfort (they are Ti experts, know their frames and I have no reason to question this).

However, I've been told that thru axles facilitate the reseating of the wheel, with no possibility of misalignment of the brakes. I don't take wheels off unless I have a puncture and try to avoid these. I also don't do my own maintenance apart from the basics, I'm not going to be servicing or adjusting the brakes for example.

There isn't an obvious alternative frame/company that offers everything of the Enigma. I have no problem with QRs (I have them on the Boardman and no issues and have had on other disc brake bikes)

What do people think? (It's a £2k frame give or take)

Cheers

 

[Yellow Saddle]

It seems to me you have pretty much made up your mind and presented an argument for what you are going to do anyway.

 

[vickster]

It seems to me you have pretty much made up your mind and presented an argument for what you are going to do anyway.

I thought I'd made up my mind on the frame (not QR vs thru axle), but I don't really understand whether thru axles are actually a real benefit. Or are they really just a new thing for the marketeers to sell to differentiate their offering. I've heard both sides of the argument

 

[jefmcg]

(enigma said they could to through axles if she wanted them ... but that would mean a custom frame and probably a significant price hike)

 

[vickster]

(enigma said they could to through axles if she wanted them ... but that would mean a custom frame and probably a significant price hike)

Yes, would need to be extremely convinced, significant £££. Enigma have decided not to go that route on the Etape, sounded like a considered decision

 

[Bodhbh]

No advice, but I hate all this BS where as one week something is perfectly fine then the next it is sub-optimal (to who). But I completely understand your concern if you're going to blow 2k on a frame, because it'll shift the standards and in 5yrs time you'll have to have a custom wheel to fit the frame.

 

[Vegan1]

Re-aligning the brake is a one minute job with a 5mm allen key. I have quick release on my bikes with disk brakes and have never thought of or felt I needed a through axle.

 

[vickster]

No advice, but I hate all this BS where as one week something is perfectly fine then the next it is sub-optimal (to who). But I completely understand your concern if you're going to blow 2k on a frame, because it'll shift the standards and in 5yrs time you'll have to have a custom wheel to fit the frame.

I'll just have to get a new frame in 5 years luckily I favour handbuilt wheels

 

[vickster]

Re-aligning the brake is a one minute job with a 5mm allen key. I have quick release on my bikes with disk brakes and have never thought of or felt I needed a through axle.

Mechanical or hydraulic? That's my next decision, I was going mechanical as I can use with shifters I.e. Hoods that I know work for me. Hydraulic, the hoods are ugly things but the guy at Enigma was convinced that's the way to go. I need to try bikes with hydraulic sram if I can

5 mins means it won't cost much at the LBS sort

 

[jefmcg]

Re-aligning the brake is a one minute job with a 5mm allen key. I have quick release on my bikes with disk brakes and have never thought of or felt I needed a through axle.

Just so I understand (i'm still in the world of rim brakes) ....

If you repair a flat with disc brakes and QR forks, you have to spend a minute sorting out the brake alignment with an allen key?

 

[Vegan1]

Mechanical or hydraulic? That's my next decision, I was going mechanical as I can use with shifters I.e. Hoods that I know work for me. Hydraulic, the hoods are ugly things but the guy at Enigma was convinced that's the way to go. I need to try bikes with hydraulic sram if I can

5 mins means it won't cost much at the LBS sort

Hydro is superb, it's one of those things (a bit like cable cutters) that you think you don't need but then when you use them you realise how good they are. The modulation on them is really good and they pretty much are maintenance free. Changing the pads can be a bit of a faff because you have to force the pistons back to their original position with a tyre level or the like. And then you have the bleeding which should be done periodically although this is fairly easy to do with the right tools.

Mechanical in terms of feel is slightly less but just as good. Easier and more pragmatic to service.

I have R785 hydros on one bike and TRP's mech on another, in terms of overall ease to service and not needing any specialist tools I'd go mechanical.

 

[vickster]

I won't be changing or bleeding anything myself. The difference in maintenance is largely irrelevant. Again I've had one shop sing the praises of TRPs and another hydraulic

Just the hydraulic hoods are so bloody ugly and uncomfortable to hold, at least the Ultegra ones

 

[Vegan1]

Just so I understand (i'm still in the world of rim brakes) ....

If you repair a flat with disc brakes and QR forks, you have to spend a minute sorting out the brake alignment with an allen key?

Only if it's rubbing, what you do is to loosen the bolts which fix the caliper to the frame, pull the brake lever which will centre the caliper against the rotor and re-tighten.

 

[Simontm]

Just so I understand (i'm still in the world of rim brakes) ....

If you repair a flat with disc brakes and QR forks, you have to spend a minute sorting out the brake alignment with an allen key?

Nope...well not necessarily. There's a chance of the wheel sitting badly but if the front you can push down on handlebars which will generally align correctly and the seat post for the back.

 

[Vegan1]

I won't be changing or bleeding anything myself. The difference in maintenance is largely irrelevant. Again I've had one shop sing the praises of TRPs and another hydraulic

Just the hydraulic hoods are so bloody ugly and uncomfortable to hold, at least the Ultegra ones

I forget, someone who spends more than £2k on a bike does not do any servicing. Hoods or not, whatever floats your boat regarding mech or hydro, I'll sleep better knowing you keep your LBS in business.