Quick Release quandry

MediaMan

Needed to replace a rear quick release on my road bike and the one I had for reference was an MTB QR with a too-long skewer. Thought it would be easy to select the right one - ha!

The only dimension I would have thought mattered for a QR is the range of widths that it will allow between the outer extremities of the dropouts. The inner dimensions are standard, but the dropout thickness is not, hence there is no "normal" for this dimension.

Well guess what, that's the one dimension that you will not find anywhere in a QR specification. Instead you will get the inner between-dropout dimension - 130mm for road frames - but this is not enough information.

You will also get the length of the skewer part, but this is not enough info either as the length of the nut is not standard, so you don't know how much length of skewer is left exposed to travel between the dropouts.

End result - I bought a 163mm QR, which now seems ever so slightly short in my frame. When full secured, there is about 4mm of air in the hole of the nut where the skewer stops short of reaching the outside of the nut. The nut is about 16mm deep, so the skewer is approx three-quarters engaged in the nut.

Is this enough for a secure and lasting engagement?

MediaMan

Or, to ask the question more explicitly, I am seeking the wisdom of community as to how far a quick release nut needs to thread on to the skewer before you would regard it as a secure installation. That is assuming the quick release cam has been closed correctly.

Any thoughts?

Wishbone Ash

Personally, I'd prefer the skewer to be fully engaged with the nut.

clog

I've had a look at 4 bikes that are in front of me at the moment, on none of them does the skewer protrude they all end short (prob 5mm).
The skewers are dura ace, zipp, campagnolo and planet x.

I have never seen a problem where a skewer pulls out of the thread.

You are overthinking this.

tomasrojo

I put a cup between the skewer nut and the frame for the hitch of my Chariot trailer. This results in the skewer falling slightly short of the end of the nut by a few mm. I've had it this way for nearly six years without incident.

C3PO

I'm sure it will be fine but I personally would be a lot more comfortable with the thread extending slightly on the far side of the nut!

longshanks

If too few threads are engaged there is a chance of stripping the threads. How many full turns of the nut have you managed?