Skewer how tight

bruce225
bruce225 Posts: 129
edited April 2011 in Workshop
Since I've got my carbon bike,I've become obsessed with not over tightening things,

Any way today tightened my rear skewer which I believe to be tight enough the wheel feels locked in place but notice if I get hold on the lever end on the skewer i can still twist it if using a bit of force,

The bit with the little teeth that presses to the frame, will slightly turn is this normal and I've never noticed it before due to previous times probably over tightening on ali frame..

Hope that makes sense.. :oops:

Comments

  • KillerMetre
    KillerMetre Posts: 199
    On the instructions that came with my fulcrums it says to tighten them so that the skewer handle leaves a mark on the hand when clamped down
  • bruce225
    bruce225 Posts: 129
    Thanks but I've got little girlie hands that would leave a mark at the slightest touch...

    Just really want to know if they should still be able to twist a little,scared of doing them any tighter...
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    The bit with the little teeth that presses to the frame, will slightly turn

    That doesn't sound tight enough to me. I like the advice about leaving a mark.

    I made the mistake of not tightening my rear skewer properly last year after travelling (and having to drop the wheel to get the bike on the car). Hit an unexpected sharp hill in a high gear and succeeded in pushing the back wheel out when standing.. and then going over the handlebars. Landed on my feet (quite spectacular really) but ended up needing a new rear hanger. Ho hum.
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    I always push have them with a thumb firmly pushed in effort. Position the front skewer so it's horizontal facing backward. The rear skewer lever is also horizontal facing forward. ie, the tips of the skewer levers are facing each other. If they loosen, you will immediately see the lever facing downwards.

    If you look closely, some have "lawyer tabs" on if they're from the USA, and others will have a slight recess. Both are designed to protect you from axle dropping out of their positions.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,504
    Buckled_Rims wrote:
    ...The rear skewer lever is also horizontal facing forward. ....

    usual advice is to have them pointing back - facing forward, if the lever gets snagged on something it could flip open while you are going along, probably not that likely an event, but still one to avoid
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    sungod wrote:
    Buckled_Rims wrote:
    ...The rear skewer lever is also horizontal facing forward. ....

    usual advice is to have them pointing back - facing forward, if the lever gets snagged on something it could flip open while you are going along, probably not that likely an event, but still one to avoid

    The most Euro position is exactly bisecting the chainstay and the seatstay. Facing back means it can be knocked open by someone elses front wheel in a race - seen it happen too.
  • bruce225
    bruce225 Posts: 129
    Just tightened it more like a man,it's stopped twisting...

    Wish I'd never bought a carbon bike constantly thinking I'm going to break it..
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,504
    P_Tucker wrote:
    sungod wrote:
    Buckled_Rims wrote:
    ...The rear skewer lever is also horizontal facing forward. ....

    usual advice is to have them pointing back - facing forward, if the lever gets snagged on something it could flip open while you are going along, probably not that likely an event, but still one to avoid

    The most Euro position is exactly bisecting the chainstay and the seatstay. Facing back means it can be knocked open by someone elses front wheel in a race - seen it happen too.

    agree for racing

    but most people aren't racing, i've had mine snagged pointing forward, can't win either way!
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    A good rule of thumb for tightening is to adjust it so that when the lever is pointing straight out in line with the axle it has just made good contact with the dropout. When you close the lever fully it should have the correct tension.
    Are you sure that you have carbon dropouts? If not just carry on as you did with the alu frame.
    My Fleet.
  • bruce225
    bruce225 Posts: 129
    John.T wrote:
    Are you sure that you have carbon dropouts? If not just carry on as you did with the alu frame.

    Sorry me been miss leading,carbon frame ali dropouts..It was more when closing the skewer has tight as I used too,I was worried when you see the frame flex in a little that I could be causing damage...
  • bruce225
    bruce225 Posts: 129
    John.T wrote:
    Are you sure that you have carbon dropouts? If not just carry on as you did with the alu frame.

    Sorry me been miss leading,carbon frame ali dropouts..It was more when closing the skewer has tight as I used too,I was worried when you see the frame flex in a little that I could be causing stress damage...
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I've always adjusted mine so they start clamping when the lever's in line with the axle, that way they are nicely snug when clamped down through the next 90 degrees.

    Front one pointing backwards and slightly up, back one forwards and slightly up, mid way between seat and chain stay.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Strong echo on here. :wink:
    My Fleet.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Bugger! That'll teach me to post a reply before checking the latest posts. :oops:

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