View Full Version : School me on Skewers
MattTuck
01-05-2013, 05:29 PM
Did a search to see if we've discussed this before and found two threads on a similar topic. Basically, I'm just looking for a good quality skewer. Are there substantial differences in quality or performance between different brands or is it mostly cosmetic?
I am not too concerned about weight.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=108300&highlight=skewers
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=106918&highlight=skewers
Dave Wages
01-05-2013, 05:42 PM
My personal experience that external cam skewers tend to work mediocre at first and then get progressively worse over time as the cams get fouled up by dirt and grit. Like I said, my personal experience, some folks love them, and there may very well be some versions that work better than others. For me, it's hard to top a Shimano QR, even the cheap ones work well for a long time although the Dura Ace ones look alot nicer. Also, the higher end Mavic skewers have some amazing clamping power and work quite well. I know some single speed mountain bike guys who use these instead of a bolted wheel and have never had a problem with "pulling" a wheel in horizontal dropouts.
Older Campy skewers are also nice, I haven't had a ton of experience with their newer style QR's.
My two cents,
Dave
binxnyrwarrsoul
01-05-2013, 05:45 PM
Shimano Dura Ace, Campy (older gen.), Centaur on up or newer gen. Campy skewers that come with Zondas, on up and the skewers that come with new gen, Record hubs. Period. Boring, don't come in colors, but work.
phcollard
01-05-2013, 06:15 PM
I tried a lot of them and I now have Shimano on all my bikes. They have some clamping power, especially useful if you have a vintage bike with horizontal chromed dropouts. I have had a lot of cheap skewers slip and rear wheel go out of whack in a climb, and I'm not even what you would call a powerful climber. Even the cheapest Shimano work better than some fancy coloured Ti axle skewers that cost a fortune.
fourflys
01-05-2013, 06:17 PM
I'm a fan of Salsa skewers but I've found I need to use Shimano/closed-cam type on my Casseroll because the dropouts like Philippe mentioned above...
Louis
01-05-2013, 06:18 PM
Most of my experience has been with basic Shimano internal-cam models, and they seem to work well, without any issues or drama. Boring but effective. The Topolino QR's that came with my wheels are external-cam, but also work quite well. The "force curve" you feel as you close them is smooth and reassuring, with a nice peak shortly before they're completely closed, then a "valley" as the lever settles into the final position.
What I can't figure out is if the internal-cam design is so good, why are so many of the more recent aftermarket QR's external cam? Is it just weight?
phcollard
01-05-2013, 06:22 PM
On a side note I have noticed that Shimano skewers can be hard to find at a decent price. What I've done is buy a pair of Tiagra hubs from Ribble ($30 a pair), keep the skewers and resell the hubs on eBay for the prce I paid :D
lhuerta
01-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Here is some interesting reading with good comparisons among a wide range of skewer types.
Lou
http://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5029
ultraman6970
01-05-2013, 06:41 PM
+1
External cam use some plastic parts that get old quick or even from day one start to creak like crazy and need to be greased. All the internal cam old stuff last centuries.
Shimano Dura Ace, Campy (older gen.), Centaur on up or newer gen. Campy skewers that come with Zondas, on up and the skewers that come with new gen, Record hubs. Period. Boring, don't come in colors, but work.
Dave Wages
01-05-2013, 06:47 PM
Most of my experience has been with basic Shimano internal-cam models, and they seem to work well, without any issues or drama. Boring but effective. The Topolino QR's that came with my wheels are external-cam, but also work quite well. The "force curve" you feel as you close them is smooth and reassuring, with a nice peak shortly before they're completely closed, then a "valley" as the lever settles into the final position.
What I can't figure out is if the internal-cam design is so good, why are so many of the more recent aftermarket QR's external cam? Is it just weight?
External cams can be lighter, but I'm pretty sure they're also much easier/cheaper to make, imo that's more likely the reason why so many companies use that type of design.
regularguy412
01-05-2013, 06:47 PM
Most of my experience has been with basic Shimano internal-cam models, and they seem to work well, without any issues or drama. Boring but effective. The Topolino QR's that came with my wheels are external-cam, but also work quite well. The "force curve" you feel as you close them is smooth and reassuring, with a nice peak shortly before they're completely closed, then a "valley" as the lever settles into the final position.
What I can't figure out is if the internal-cam design is so good, why are so many of the more recent aftermarket QR's external cam? Is it just weight?
More than likely.
I rode the external cam skewers that came with my Easton EC90 SLs for almost a whole year. Then switched to Shimano internal cam levers. I never had a problem with the Eastons, but I guess I just like internal cams.
Mike in AR:beer:
mike p
01-05-2013, 06:51 PM
All you need to know about skewers SHIMANO.... nuff said.
Mike
cash05458
01-05-2013, 07:33 PM
I tried a lot of them and I now have Shimano on all my bikes. They have some clamping power, especially useful if you have a vintage bike with horizontal chromed dropouts. I have had a lot of cheap skewers slip and rear wheel go out of whack in a climb, and I'm not even what you would call a powerful climber. Even the cheapest Shimano work better than some fancy coloured Ti axle skewers that cost a fortune.
yeah, forego the ti lightweight stuff ...shimano ultegra or dura...older campy stuff...tighter than your grandma's sphincter...:butt:
rnhood
01-05-2013, 07:37 PM
I agree, Shimano or bust. Expensive yes, but the quality is mostly consistent with the price. Mostly, anyway.
MattTuck
01-05-2013, 07:46 PM
Thanks all for the advice. I do like the ultegra (except for plastic end cap on the non-business side of the skewer) and the dura-ace design.
I'll have to look more into the internal vs. external cam difference. I've been told (by someone who is mostly informed, but sometimes falls for 'myths') that the longer the lever on the skewer, the stronger it is. This seems to discount any mechanical mechanism, as I'd think the mechanism is more important than the length of the lever.
cash05458
01-05-2013, 08:02 PM
the ultegra isnt as pretty but works just as well...
DHallerman
01-05-2013, 09:18 PM
Also, the higher end Mavic skewers have some amazing clamping power and work quite well. I know some single speed mountain bike guys who use these instead of a bolted wheel and have never had a problem with "pulling" a wheel in horizontal dropouts.
I love those Mavic skewers. They kind of snap closed, and you know they're holding well.
They used to come in silver or black, now just in black.
Dave, who agrees that Shimano makes great skewers too but still uses these Mavic on his favorite bikes
http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/13905.jpg
FlashUNC
01-05-2013, 09:20 PM
Campy or Shimano. Whatever comes with the hub.
Nothing fancy.
Dave Wages
01-05-2013, 09:31 PM
I love those Mavic skewers. They kind of snap closed, and you know they're holding well.
They used to come in silver or black, now just in black.
Dave, who agrees that Shimano makes great skewers too but still uses these Mavic on his favorite bikes
http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/13905.jpg
I've probably got an even split between Shimano skewers and these Mavic's on my personal bikes. I'm often surprised when I see folks who buy Mavic wheels selling their skewers so they can run some crappy external cam ones that weigh 15 grams less and don't work half as well. Their loss is our gain!
AngryScientist
01-05-2013, 09:38 PM
while i really love campy and shimano skewers, and have them on a few bikes, i think people over emphasize the necessity of internal cam skewers.
i've got thousands and thousands of miles under my tires using salsa skewers and kcnc and zero problems. both are just made very well. the kcnc ones in particular have a brass seating surface for the cam, very durable and well made. dont let the "majority opinion" make you feel like you "need" internal cam skewers. i admit that they are really excellent, but some of the well made external cam jobbers work very well too, and wont let you down.
http://www.torontocycles.com/images/KCNC_Z6_Skewers_-_Red.jpg
dekindy
01-05-2013, 10:05 PM
I have some Salsa Flip-off skewers. I have also had some rear wheel slippage. Just read the FAQ's on the website and they indicate the Delrin cam followers normally requires replacement every 5-7 years. Is this correct? Wheels that have these levers are 4-5 years old but were only used regularly the first 2 years; are now on backup bike, Serotta Colorado.
spdcyclist
01-06-2013, 06:58 AM
I've had good experience with cam type skewers but very poor performance with the DT Swiss ratcheting skewers. The DT Swiss were difficult to take off and eventually the "plastic" handle stripped. Expensive and not worth the money.
mcteague
01-06-2013, 07:11 AM
I've had good experience with cam type skewers but very poor performance with the DT Swiss ratcheting skewers. The DT Swiss were difficult to take off and eventually the "plastic" handle stripped. Expensive and not worth the money.
Are these the DT skewers you are referring to? Joe Young sells these with his wheels now. Not to sure about this type. They screw down tight, using the lever, which you can then reposition by lifting the lever and rotating it. Also, these new ones have aluminum levers; I think the previous ones were composite.
Tim
oldpotatoe
01-06-2013, 08:11 AM
Are these the DT skewers you are referring to? Joe Young sells these with his wheels now. Not to sure about this type. They screw down tight, using the lever, which you can then reposition by lifting the lever and rotating it. Also, these new ones have aluminum levers; I think the previous ones were composite.
Tim
Otherwise known as SRs..Slow Release....
mcteague
01-06-2013, 12:25 PM
Otherwise known as SRs..Slow Release....
Yes, but unless you are racing, what difference does it make? With lawyer tabs in front you still end up unscrewing the darned thing.
Tim
DRietz
01-06-2013, 12:47 PM
Yes, but unless you are racing, what difference does it make? With lawyer tabs in front you still end up unscrewing the darned thing.
Tim
Assuming you leave those lawyer tabs on, of course.
Ralph
01-06-2013, 12:57 PM
Subject drift.....I like lawyer tabs. Maybe something I saw in the 70's had something to do with them coming about. Was on a ride in Daytona Bch, FL, when a front wheel came off a guy's bike, and he went down in front of a car. It wasn't pretty watching him being rolled under the car. Was he careless about getting his skewer tight enough? Probably....but soon there after we started getting tabs to hold the wheel on. Now I just know that there is a good chance someone on a ride somewhere forget to snug up that skewer when he put his front wheel on. Probably in a hurry to get his bike out of the car so as not to miss the ride. I'll never forget the sight of that rider being killed.
So to me....skewer quality, and the skewer doing it's job, is a big deal. OP has a smart question.
spdcyclist
01-06-2013, 04:03 PM
Are these the DT skewers you are referring to? Joe Young sells these with his wheels now. Not to sure about this type. They screw down tight, using the lever, which you can then reposition by lifting the lever and rotating it. Also, these new ones have aluminum levers; I think the previous ones were composite.
Tim
The one's I used were similar but had the composite handle. Looked really nice but didn't last.
Dan
Don49
01-06-2013, 04:18 PM
I'm using older Campy internal cam skewers, the version that has a straight lever. Not sure of the vintage, but they do not have an "over-camming" feel to them, the lever just gets tight and stops. This bothered me at first but have never had an issue with them.
beeatnik
01-06-2013, 05:02 PM
Had Force on two frames and the shifting was awful, leading me to curse SRAM on every ride and on this forum. One frame was CF, the other a CAAD10. One thing both bikes had in common: KCNC skewers. Never suspected that a skewer could affect shifting performance but luckily this POS product began to creak. It was one of those creaks that drives you crazy. Broke down the bike and checked every moving part. First suspected it was the headset but, as many of us know, with an Al bike a creak can resonate anywhere. Anyhoo, realized it was the skewers and swapped them out for Record skewers since I knew I could really tighten those suckers down. Short story long, creak went away and shifting improved exponentially (Praxis rings helped as well...).
while i really love campy and shimano skewers, and have them on a few bikes, i think people over emphasize the necessity of internal cam skewers.
i've got thousands and thousands of miles under my tires using salsa skewers and kcnc and zero problems. both are just made very well. the kcnc ones in particular have a brass seating surface for the cam, very durable and well made. dont let the "majority opinion" make you feel like you "need" internal cam skewers. i admit that they are really excellent, but some of the well made external cam jobbers work very well too, and wont let you down.
http://www.torontocycles.com/images/KCNC_Z6_Skewers_-_Red.jpg
DRZRM
01-06-2013, 05:23 PM
New Campy on Campy hubed wheels, DT Swiss SR on my DT Swiss wheels, like them both, but if the DT Swiss stripped, I'd likely use more Campy/Fulcrum.
pdmtong
01-06-2013, 05:43 PM
I've had good experience with cam type skewers but very poor performance with the DT Swiss ratcheting skewers. The DT Swiss were difficult to take off and eventually the "plastic" handle stripped. Expensive and not worth the money.
I have a few sets of these on bioth road and mtb and I like the fact you can reposition the handle easily for aesthetics but if I was taking a wheel off a lot I wouldnt choose these because of the plastic part wearing.
soulspinner
01-07-2013, 04:16 AM
Zipp Ti
Campagnolo (if you can find them) or Shimano. Not the lightest, but they are well-made.
Ahneida Ride
01-07-2013, 12:01 PM
Old School external cam Campy.
GRAVELBIKE
01-07-2013, 12:07 PM
Only internal-cam skewers (Shimano, Campy, Velocity) for me. I'll gladly take a weight penalty if it means my skewers are easy to open/close, and my wheels remain securely in the dropouts.
false_Aest
01-07-2013, 01:06 PM
Dura Ace.
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