Thru axle vs QR (titanium disc frame)

[jefmcg]

Do you really think I'll keep this frame for decades? I'll probably need an e bike in 10 years to go with a new knee!

Maybe I just won't bother with a new bike

Who are you, and what have you done with Vickster?

(yeah, you probably won't keep if for decades, but then it's resale value becomes more of a factor)

 

[ColinJ]

To me, non-linear response is the sign of a poor brake.

I don't mind the fact that nothing much happens at the start of the lever travel. I quite like the fact that I can descend steep hills on the drops with my fingers safely wrapped round the levers and the levers pulled in a bit ready to brake. If the braking happened earlier in the travel then I would have to be using the tips of my fingers instead (I have fairly short fingers for a man of my height).

I set my conventional brakes up with the blocks further from the rims than many people recommend, so they operate in a similar way. It is the amount of lever travel after that the brakes start to bite that feels odd on my Hy-Rd. I can get the same braking power (in dry conditions) using the Chorus rim brakes on my CAAD5 for about 1/4 of the extra pull beyond that point.

Braking using the Hy-Rd front brake is effective, it just feels odd!

 

[vickster]

£300 more approx for custom frame with t/a. 6 weeks build time

They are looking at a t/a version, at least 3-4 months away by which time the weather may be cooling and I'll be back working full time!

 

[jiberjaber]

£300 more approx for custom frame with t/a. 6 weeks build time

They are looking at a t/a version, at least 3-4 months away by which time the weather may be cooling and I'll be back working full time!

That seems a lot to add t/a but I've no idea how much is involved for them (it might include a new t/a fork for example?). For comparison, t/a on the rear of mine was £75 as the front fork was already supplied t/a.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

@jefmcg was there with me at Enigma and heard the conversation

All I can do is ask Enigma how much to have a QR frame.

Did TA exist from the off when Disc brakes were first put on bikes?

No.

Some TA info':

http://www.bikebug.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-thru-axles/

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/is-it-the-end-for-quick-release-wheels-186468

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/angryasian-bring-on-the-thru-axles-40005/

 

[vickster]

That seems a lot to add t/a but I've no idea how much is involved for them (it might include a new t/a fork for example?). For comparison, t/a on the rear of mine was £75 as the front fork was already supplied t/a.

They have to change the carbon fork too and presumably work on the rear drop out

What make is your bike?

 

[jiberjaber]

They have to change the carbon fork too and presumably work on the rear drop out

What make is your bike?

J.laverack

 

[vickster]

J.laverack

Ah ok. They are much more expensive to start with and have a rather short frame warranty. Had a look, like Enigma for the ability to pretty much have a bespoke frame in terms of finish

 

[jefmcg]

[£300] seems a lot to add t/a

I think that's the difference between an off the peg frame and one made to order.

 

[Jenkins]

Is there really any advantage for through axles over quick for the "average" rider?

Not all of us are out of the seat climers powering up 15% hills or decending at 30+ mph having to brake hard for hairpins where the claimed extra rigid location of T/As are supposed to come into play. Where the bike is being used in normal riding conditions, longer slower flatish rides, wet weather commuting, etc (which I suspect is the sort of riding @vickster will be doing) what's wrong with Q/R?

If you're really that worried about Q/R wheels becomming hard to get in the future, why not just get a second set now and put them into storage for the future?

 

[Drago]

Thant poncey bloke that does the medical documentaries on the BBC.

Lying vindictive ex heads of the FBI.

 

[Threevok]

To add to that, I use QR on both my MTB's - both of which are used for everything from commute to XC

I can't speak for the "road" world personally, but for what I do, I've yet to come up against any situation that's left a QR lacking (front or back). I still see no need for TA's - outside of the more extreme disciplines of the biking world.

As for any worries that QR wheels will get harder to obtain - I went for Hope hubs on both sets of wheels. These (and other such hubs on the market) are still made (and supplied) with QR adapters, plus you have the added bonus of being able to switch to TA in the future - should the need finally arise.

 

[vickster]

Is there really any advantage for through axles over quick for the "average" rider?

Not all of us are out of the seat climers powering up 15% hills or decending at 30+ mph having to brake hard for hairpins where the claimed extra rigid location of T/As are supposed to come into play. Where the bike is being used in normal riding conditions, longer slower flatish rides, wet weather commuting, etc (which I suspect is the sort of riding @vickster will be doing) what's wrong with Q/R?

If you're really that worried about Q/R wheels becomming hard to get in the future, why not just get a second set now and put them into storage for the future?

I never climb out of the saddle, told not to by medics and I'm a complete wuss coming down hills. When I'm ready to buy, I'll see where I end up price wise

 

[Jenkins]

I never climb out of the saddle, told not to by medics and I'm a complete wuss coming down hills. When I'm ready to buy, I'll see where I end up price wise

Exactly - you're not going to put the sort of strain on the drive train or brakes that would cause the wheels to deflect with properly tightened and secured quick releases, so why go the extra expense of having the frame adapted to take through axles? Q/R wil be around for years to come (I hope so as I'm in the same boat - my intended next purchase is a Q/R only frame).

 

[Crankarm]

I never climb out of the saddle, told not to by medics and I'm a complete wuss coming down hills. When I'm ready to buy, I'll see where I end up price wise

You don't need through axles. They came about from extreme MTB downhill racing and from motorbikes. QR axles are going to be around for a long time. If you are that worried by certain contributors stating they will soon be consigned to the bin firstly this is BS and secondly buy yourself a few sets of QR hubs. If you do use QR hubs then use Shimano QR skewers as they clamp the tightest. I have QR hubs on my Surly Troll Rohloff rear and Hope front. I use a Shimano 105 or Deore skewer on the front and Pitlock extra long locking skewer on the back. Never once have the wheels moved in the drop outs when riding, braking cornering whatever, fast, slow, smooth or rough surfaces, down hill, uphill or when fully laden with touring gear. I take the front wheel off pretty much everyday twice a day to get the bike in and out of the car to and from work without so much as a problem. Through axles would be a little more time consuming. The clue is the name Quick Release. Simples. As I say through axles unless you are down hill MTB racing are BS.