Wheel Quick Release Levers

[Fordulike]

This might sound like a silly question, but how tight does the pedelec community have their quick release levers?

I like mine really tight and have to use a fair bit of force to push the lever home.
Am I likely to damage anything, or is it a case of the tighter the better?

 

[JohnCade]

This might sound like a silly question, but how tight does the pedelec community have their quick release levers?

I like mine really tight and have to use a fair bit of force to push the lever home.
Am I likely to damage anything, or is it a case of the tighter the better?

If you have them really tight you could damage the drop outs if they are alloy. I like to have them tight enough to stay on but able to close without really pressing hard. Difficult to explain with something like that because you can't torque it. A reasonable thumb or finger pressure for a human not a gorilla. I've never had one come off.

 

[flecc]

I tend to have them very tight and fortunately have never damaged alloy frame or forks dropouts to date. However almost all of of my experience with them has been on unpowered bikes some while ago so I've no idea how much some newer frames and forks might stand.
.

 

[neptune]

The only reason you cannot tighten them to a measured torque, is that we don`t have a torque figure. If someone can come up with a figure for a wheel nut that fits the same thread here is how to do it. Find a bit of metal pipe that fits over the lever. Cut it so that is exactly a foot long, measured from the axle center. apply tightening force to the free end of the pipe with a set of fish scales or luggage scales, to the required pressure. Job done.

 

[EddiePJ]

Also remember to

The only reason you cannot tighten them to a measured torque, is that we don`t have a torque figure. If someone can come up with a figure for a wheel nut that fits the same thread here is how to do it. Find a bit of metal pipe that fits over the lever. Cut it so that is exactly a foot long, measured from the axle center. apply tightening force to the free end of the pipe with a set of fish scales or luggage scales, to the required pressure. Job done.

I'll remember that the next time that I'm out on a ride and get a puncture.

.

 

[D C]

I always presume that if I can just about release them by hand they aren't too tight and hopefully tight enough.
Not at all scientific but it is possible to get them so tight on, even by hand, that you have trouble releasing them when away from home.
Being off road most of the time I also tighten them to lie alongside the frame or fork so they don't easily snag on things that can loosen them. (Also the reason I don't have a drip loop)

Dave.