15mm through axle

voodoo254

Hi,

Sorry for the noob question but do all bikes that have the REBA RL fork also have a 15mm thru axle??

I'm looking specifically at the Canyon AL 6.9 2015 and Cube LTD Race 2014.

Canyon AL 6.9

https://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=3640

Cube Ltd Race 2014

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ke/e ... prod114141

Does anyone have an opinion on any of these bikes as to which one is a better ride?

Regards

benpinnick

No they don't. Cant comment on the ride of the bikes, but from the pictures the Canyon has a 15mm axle whereas the cube doesn't.

voodoo254

Benpinnick - thanks for the input.

Just out of curiousity - how does one tell from looking at a photo whether it has the thru-axle?

The Rookie

The way it looks! On the picture of the Cube you can see what looks like the threaded nut on the end of a normal QR - especially in the second photo in the gallery, on the Canyon it looks very much like a 15mm, look at the pictures in the gallery.

The dropout is much thicker, similar to the rest of the lower, on a screw through.

voodoo254

What would those in the know on here choose between the Boardman Pro 29er 2014 and the Canyon AL 6.9 2015??

Are they pretty much on par or does the Canyon have the edge as it is has german engineering quality etc?

Canyon 6.9 AL

https://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=3640

Boardman pro 29

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -29er-2014

Any input and advice is much appreciated.

The Rookie

Forget German engineering quality, the bulk of the components come from Taiwan and are engineered by Shimano on both bikes, that and them having the same rockshox fork.

For me the Canyon just shades it as I don't like FSA cranksets, but you can sit in a Boardman and try it out for size much easier.

voodoo254

Thanks Rookie.

What don't you like with that particular crankset? Do they malfunction easily?

So what exactly is German engineered on the Canyon? And where is the Boardman made?

cooldad

The frames for both are made in the far East.

benpinnick

Voodoo254 wrote:

Thanks Rookie.

What don't you like with that particular crankset? Do they malfunction easily?

So what exactly is German engineered on the Canyon? And where is the Boardman made?

Yes, he's right, they malfunction very easily. Often.

The Rookie

The cranks are OK, the bearings seem to use Cadbury as the supplier for the balls they wear out that fast.

The Boardmans are fully assembled in Taiwan, and that isn't a bad thing, many very good bikes are, I understand the Canyon frame is made in Taiwan, on that basis I would be surprised if they weren't also assembled there (much cheaper for both the assembly and logistics of shipping a complete bike versus a few dozen bits) but I don't know.

voodoo254

Is there a way to convert a bike with a standard 9mm QR axle (i hope thats the correct terminology) into a 15mm thru-axle??

I'm assuming the fork and the rims would need changing to be 15mm axle compatible? Or is there a quicker and cheaper way?

The Rookie

Fork would ned either changing or new lowers to convert, new front wheel or change the adaptors if your hub has them (Formula wheels on a Bizango can't be converted) and the suitable axle.

voodoo254

Can anyone tell me if the wheel in this pic has a thru-axle (sorry - still dont know how to tell)

The Rookie

Hard to be sure as the photo is of completely the wrong place, but that looks like a normal QR lever.

Hints of what to look for further up the thread, look at some photos you know have them and some that don't.

Why so hung up on a through axle? On some forks it makes a big difference, on others it's barely more than a marketing gimmick.

voodoo254

Wow.... i just typed out a long ass reply and hit the submit button and it seems to have disappeared! Anyway, here goes again....

I'm looking at a really nice KTM mountain bike that seems to have good Shimano kit and a Raidon sf14 XC RL-R 100mm fork with a tapered steer but no 15mm thru-axle, and the latter is putting me off it. I'm based in Kenya and want something suitable for the hard african terrain here and i've read that the 15mm thru-axle makes a huge difference in that it reduces flex and sharpens up the steering response. That is what i'm looking for essentially.
I am also looking at the boardman Team 29er 2014 as it has a decent fork (recon silver tk) with 32mm steel stanchions, tapered steerer and the 15mm thru-axle. That to me is the perfect rectangle upfront - if you know what i mean..
But i'm also hesitant on pulling the trigger on that because A). its the very top of my price range as i also have to factor in the cost of freight to Kenya and b). because from reading the reviews on from people on here and other forums i understand that the build quality isnt so good and that the 2x20 gearing is limiting on the inclines as well as the down hill stuff. Also that the Avid elixir brakes are not so good??
I wish i could try one out for myself in a bike store but that is not possible here as bike stores are not big and they are few and far between.
Anyone else on here who has ridden the Boardman team 29 that can give me some advice??

Thanks

cooldad

Until recently people have been riding tough terrain with 26" wheels and QR.
No problem.

Go figure.

voodoo254

cooldad wrote:

Until recently people have been riding tough terrain with 26" wheels and QR.
No problem.

Go figure.

I totally agree with you Cooldad, but where or if there is an improvement to that design i dont see any reason not to go for it? However, i'm fairly new to this stuff so i'll take all comments on board.

Thanks

The Rookie

I crash my short travel 26" hardtail with skinny 30mm stanchions round Cannock, no problem.

A 15mm can stiffen some forks, on others it makes no odds, not sure about the Raidon and never ridden one, but if it has no effect, then it won't help you!

I wouldn't have Avid brakes though.....

cooldad

You can have all the improvements in the world, but if you can't get parts and ride the thing it's all pointless.

So I would see what is available locally and base my decision on that.

voodoo254

But i can always order parts online and get them couriered to Kenya.... i'm not worried about that to be honest. ANd the bike shops here have some stuff but its over priced and it would be cheaper for me to bring it in myself.

Its Africa.... but we're still connected to the rest of the world you know! Haha...

supersonic

Voodoo254 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Until recently people have been riding tough terrain with 26" wheels and QR.
No problem.

Go figure.

I totally agree with you Cooldad, but where or if there is an improvement to that design i dont see any reason not to go for it? However, i'm fairly new to this stuff so i'll take all comments on board.

Thanks

I explained the so called improvements via PM - 15mm (according to fox) adds 15% more torsional stiffness. Not much. And some QR forks surpass some 15mm forks for stiffness, weight for weight. 15mm is vastly overrated in my opinion, go for 20mm bolt up if you want the best in torsional stiffness.