Why ride with your brake quick release levers open?

Herbsman

In a few races I've noticed a couple of riders riding with their brake quick release levers open. What's the reason for this?

Bobbinogs

...because the mechanic didn't close them after doing a wheel change at the side of the road?

in the TdF I noticed a mechanic leaning out of a team car earlier sorting the quick release as the cyclist was going along (after a puncture) rather than phaffing at the side of the road (I also noticed that it gave a great excuse for a cheeky push with one hand on the cyclist's asre whilst the brakes were adjusted).

Monty Dog

Same as the 'sticky bottle' and seatpost adjustment when a dropped rider requires mechanical 'assistance', normally a 2.5 litre turbo diesel!

kettrinboy

I think some riders do it at the bottom of a steep climb where they know they will be out of the saddle a lot to avoid possible brake rub caused by wheel deflection slowing them down, ive noticed some of them before doing the brake cam up just as they start descending again.

Herbsman

I'm talking about 3rd and 4th category races that I'm in. Certain riders have the QR open all the time but with the brake adjusted so that it's set up with the pads at the normal distance from the rim.

P_Tucker

Herbsman wrote:

I'm talking about 3rd and 4th category races that I'm in. Certain riders have the QR open all the time but with the brake adjusted so that it's set up with the pads at the normal distance from the rim.

I do it because when I'm riding around normally its fine with the QR on; when I'm racing and sprinting out of corners at 1200w I'd rub the rim. And obviously, on the courses that chippers like me race on in the UK, theres not much need for a rear brake.

If I was doing a sprint workout I'd release it as well. But resetting the brake so its the same as normal, if that's really whats happening, is daft.

amaferanga

If you're getting significant wheel flex at a massive 1200W then you need to get rid of your crappy wheels....

Herbsman

P_Tucker wrote:

Herbsman wrote:

I'm talking about 3rd and 4th category races that I'm in. Certain riders have the QR open all the time but with the brake adjusted so that it's set up with the pads at the normal distance from the rim.

I do it because when I'm riding around normally its fine with the QR on; when I'm racing and sprinting out of corners at 1200w I'd rub the rim. And obviously, on the courses that chippers like me race on in the UK, theres not much need for a rear brake.

If I was doing a sprint workout I'd release it as well. But resetting the brake so its the same as normal, if that's really whats happening, is daft.

Sounds like that could be the reason. Maybe they don't reset the brake - I just assumed nobody would ride around with hardly any braking power.

White Line

When I put new pads on my winter bike I have to leave them undone for a while. Usually takes a few weeks and then they will have worn enough to close. I'm too lazy to adjust the cables. :oops:

nferrar

Yeah possibly new pads (+ laziness ) or their racing wheels have thicker rim width than their training wheels, otherwise it sounds like they don't know what they're doing (I don't buy the flex argument if they've adjusted them so the blocks are close with the QR open...)

spasypaddy

another reason is laziness, if you set them up tight to the rim with the QR open then when the pads have worn down a bit you can then do the QR up and you get the same closeness without having to redo the cable tension.

always ride with the QR either fully open or completely close. NEVER EVER ride with it halfway up.

Tom Butcher

I think it's probably their race wheels being thicker than their training wheels - when I was on Shimano I've done it - it's a quick fix easier than getting an allen key out only to do the same in reverse when you get home.

P_Tucker

amaferanga wrote:

If you're getting significant wheel flex at a massive 1200W then you need to get rid of your crappy wheels....

I was just being modest, normally I sprint out of corners at 8000w

Smokin Joe

A common reason is ignorance. Many riders today seem to be clueless when it comes to even the simplest tasks on a bike. I've seen more than one rider screwing the Q/R skewer like a wing nut when releasing and refitting a wheel because they didn't understand how it worked.

And you only need to ride one sportive to see how many riders can't index their gears with all the clattering and grinding that accompany a shift.

amaferanga

P_Tucker wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

If you're getting significant wheel flex at a massive 1200W then you need to get rid of your crappy wheels....

I was just being modest, normally I sprint out of corners at 8000w

Garmin link or it never happened

dragonontheedge

kettrinboy wrote:

I think some riders do it at the bottom of a steep climb where they know they will be out of the saddle a lot to avoid possible brake rub caused by wheel deflection slowing them down, ive noticed some of them before doing the brake cam up just as they start descending again.

That is certainly what I do. The trick is remembering to do the cam back up BEFORE you need to lean on the brakes later on !! :?