Have I been doing it wrong all these years?

neil_sheehan2000

Was just in another thread and read this:

getonyourbike wrote:

Looking good, jsut turn around the rear qr lever so it's facing backwards. Like this it might get knocked open and that could end badly... :shock:

...in reference to this:



Now, in all my years, it has never occurred to me that such a thing could happen. Have I been riding around for the best part of two decades with my QR lever pointing the wrong way!? Where does everyone else have theirs pointing? Does everyone have them trailing backwards and I've just never noticed?

In fact, I think I must just run out in to the street to try and see what other people's bikes look like.

nicklouse

well if it point back it can not be knocked open.

but some times a forward pointing one can be as safe if the lever goes between the stays but.....

Anonymous

Nick's right, but I'd be more worried about the complete lack of rear brake to be honest.

supersonic

I'd be more worried about the crack in the weld.

































Joke ;-)

TuckerUK

I'd be more worried about the fact you're not using enclosed cam skewers (i.e. Shimano unless anyone else makes them).

I have mine facing forwards, but as per Nicks post, the lever end snugs up between the stays.

getonyourbike

I position mine upwards and slightly backwards so it's also hidden inside the brake mount.

nicklouse

I would also like to point out the the lever above is not closed correctly either.

it need more closing. it has not or has hardly gone over cam.

MrChuck

Maybe it's got more chance of getting caught that way, but it's pretty unlikely I'd think, especially in the context of other things that could go wrong (big stick in the spokes for example). I wouldn't think you're asking for trouble particularly.

That said I do have mine pointing up or backwards!

neil_sheehan2000

Sorry, I should have credited the photo. It's from here.

Anyway, just had a ride round the block trying to spot what other people are doing with theirs. Unfortunately, I'm in prime fixie territory so almost all the bikes I saw were without QRs. However, of the three bikes I saw with them on, they were all pointing forward. So I don't feel like a complete tool any more.

Ryan Jones

I used to tuck them in for that "slick" look, however it makes taking them off a pain in the backside so your best bet would be to position them so that you can get a firm grip to remove them....rememeber that you should be aiming to leave an imprint on your hand having put them on and they'll be very tight when taking them off !

And as for them getting knocked, I assume in a crash or fall, in which case you should look over your bike just to ensure that the levers haven't bent, anything's twisted, the hydraulic hoses have broke etc etc etc

Anonymous

neil_sheehan2000 wrote:

Sorry, I should have credited the photo. It's from here.

Anyway, just had a ride round the block trying to spot what other people are doing with theirs. Unfortunately, I'm in prime fixie territory so almost all the bikes I saw were without QRs. However, of the three bikes I saw with them on, they were all pointing forward. So I don't feel like a complete tool any more.

No need to be ashamed, you'll see QRs in all sorts of positions. The thinking is that the BEST way to position is is pointing rearwards, but unless it's actually open (which unfortunately, it does look like it is - nicely spoted, Nick, there's no real right and wrong.

kenan

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Nick's right, but I'd be more worried about the complete lack of rear brake to be honest.

must ob been knocked off, was lucky the QR didn't get opened at the same time.

Iwingstein

I have velcro on the lower tube and back of QR lever so it sticks in place and have a strap to wrap around both.

Then I put a padlock over the top.

And a chain

Then I glue it all together.

I don't worry about it coming open because I ride my bike backwards all the time

ATB

Simon

neil_sheehan2000

yeehaamcgee wrote:

neil_sheehan2000 wrote:

Sorry, I should have credited the photo. It's from here.

Anyway, just had a ride round the block trying to spot what other people are doing with theirs. Unfortunately, I'm in prime fixie territory so almost all the bikes I saw were without QRs. However, of the three bikes I saw with them on, they were all pointing forward. So I don't feel like a complete tool any more.

No need to be ashamed, you'll see QRs in all sorts of positions. The thinking is that the BEST way to position is is pointing rearwards, but unless it's actually open (which unfortunately, it does look like it is - nicely spoted, Nick, there's no real right and wrong.

and

kenan wrote:

must ob been knocked off, was lucky the QR didn't get opened at the same time.

In defence of the bloke who put the picture up, I think it was to demonstrate his new disc, and he was in the process of fitting his new brakes.

But this has all put my mind at rest anyway; for a moment I thought there was something that everyone knew and I had never been told...

getonyourbike

But really when you're doing them up you might as well put them in the safest position so there is no chance if it being knocked open rather than a small risk, which is still there. It's not like it takes lots more time and effort to put it facing backwards.

diy

TBH with that rotor, the lack of rear brake is not going to make that much difference

dot1

Has anyone's QR ever been hit by a tree/rock/whatever and actually come undone because the QR is facing forwards? Or is it more of an urban myth that has snowballed? Just wondering that's all.....

cee

dot1 wrote:

Has anyone's QR ever been hit by a tree/rock/whatever and actually come undone because the QR is facing forwards? Or is it more of an urban myth that has snowballed? Just wondering that's all.....

couldn't categorically say....but i have had a rear wheel fall out of the drop outs because something made the qr come undone....

Since then, I have been pointing mine up and back and it hasn't happened since.

as i say...could just be fluke....but I will continue to point up and back.

Anonymous

In reality, nobody's ever been hit by a tree, although several people have hit trees!

alan_sherman

in a road race you are supposed to have them facing as per the picture, or along the chainstay. If they face backwards there is a pointy object in teh event of a crash(bad) and if someone glances off your rear end they can undo your QR (also bad).

On the MTB most QR levers will have theri ends inside the triangle of the seat and chain stays so i can't see them getting caught on any branches or twigs TBH.

Kaise

yeehaamcgee wrote:

In reality, nobody's ever been hit by a tree, although several people have hit trees!

i dont know, one jumped out at me the other day as i swear it wasnt there the day before when i rode that section! :shock:

mine points forward and tucked in and never had a problem, you could get these though if you are worried about the solution

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000XD019E/r ... B000XD019E

winterdancer

I do mine up pointing forward on the road bike (so less likely to be 'hooked' by a following rider), and backward on the mtb, to reduce the (probably tiny risk) of it being hooked by a whippy branch, bramble etc. I need all the help I can get when it comes to staying on the bike :-)

naefearjustbeer

I had a front QR catch on something and open, I didnt fall off or have an accident and the wheel didnt fall out either. I just noticed a clunking sound from the front end so I stopped to investgate tightened it up and went on my way.