Push bike axle question

[jimbo84]

I've picked up a new to me bike today. Was having a look at it and checking stuff was tight etc.

Dropped the wheels out and the axles seem too small for the frame, it's got the quick release axles.

Can anyone in the know confirm if this is the usual?

Not measured them but the threaded part of the axle that sits in the frame looks around 8mm diameter, the gap in the axle looks far larger. Also they barely pass any distance into the meat of the forks.

Barely fills the opening in the forks.

Side by side to show how little rests into the forks

The bike for reference of the type.

 

[DanZac]

Hard to see from the photos, but it looks about right, the quick release ones don't go right through the frame. The axles normally seem to sit about half way through the material of the frame, then the quick release holds them secure.

If in doubt lock them in, then try to pull the wheels out.

 

[graffian]

Yes that's normal.

 

[jimbo84]

If in doubt lock them in, then try to pull the wheels out.

Thanks, they seem very securely fixed in when the quick release is locked it just seemed odd to me the axle was so much smaller than what it was going into.

 

[roofman]

iirc the nuts have a shoulder that fills the gap

 

[graffian]

Looks like it has steel Shimano QRs, they stand being quite tight.
Tight helps keep the walking around in the axle plate to a minimum.

RM40 hubs don’t have seals do they?

 

[Mark 2]

I've picked up a new to me bike today. Was having a look at it and checking stuff was tight etc.

Dropped the wheels out and the axles seem too small for the frame, it's got the quick release axles.

Can anyone in the know confirm if this is the usual?

Not measured them but the threaded part of the axle that sits in the frame looks around 8mm diameter, the gap in the axle looks far larger. Also they barely pass any distance into the meat of the forks.

Barely fills the opening in the forks.
View attachment 397814


Side by side to show how little rests into the forks
View attachment 397813

The bike for reference of the type.
View attachment 397812

I like the small bike replacing the mandatory cup for scale.

 

[brightspark]

could do with the chain oiling

 

[jimbo84]

iirc the nuts have a shoulder that fills the gap

It'd make sense for them to have some kind of shoulder on them. These ones don't, they're just flat.

 

[jimbo84]

Looks like it has steel Shimano QRs, they stand being quite tight.
Tight helps keep the walking around in the axle plate to a minimum.

RM40 hubs don’t have seals do they?

Not sure about the seals. Good to hear they stand being tight, I've got them ragged right up.

Only going to be used to ride a couple of miles each way on a cycleway to work so it'll not be getting much grief.

 

[jimbo84]

could do with the chain oiling

It's been left outside for a few months by its previous owner. I'll give it a clean and give it some lubrication.

 

[Farside]

Thanks, they seem very securely fixed in when the quick release is locked it just seemed odd to me the axle was so much smaller than what it was going into.

I found the same when I fitted shock forks to my old MTB, the Q-R was only sitting in a couple of mm. Of course, the original forks were thin steel at the bottom, about 2mm thick. Been on there well over ten years and not a problem.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

I've been playing with mountain bikes for over 30 years - that's 100% as it should be. Be thankful you've got an 'old school' quick release on it - the new standards are a mess!