Thru-axle question

[cinco]

I thought I understood about thru axles but apparently, there's more to them than I thought. I get that there are 15mm and 12mm and 100, 135, 142 and boost. What I don't get, and maybe I'm misinterpreting, I have seen reference to Fox and Rockshox types. I'm not sure what that means. What if I have a fork from neither of these companies? And how do I tell which type I need? A little help is always appreciated.

Andy in Houston

[ColonelJLloyd]

I thought I understood about thru axles but apparently, there's more to them than I thought. I get that there are 15mm and 12mm and 100, 135, 142 and boost. What I don't get, and maybe I'm misinterpreting, I have seen reference to Fox and Rockshox types. I'm not sure what that means. What if I have a fork from neither of these companies? And how do I tell which type I need? A little help is always appreciated.

Andy in Houston

You just need to know the width, the diameter (that's the 12, 15, 20 etc you mentioned) and the THREAD PITCH.

[cinco]

You just need to know the width, the diameter (that's the 12, 15, 20 etc you mentioned) and the THREAD PITCH.


Thanks. Do the thread pitch differences correspond to Fox vs. RockShox?

Edit: Ok so your answer lead me to find this, I think it answers what I needed. Appreciate it.
http://bikeandskiblog.com/wp/2016/01/12/mtb-thru-axles-who-knew-there-were-so-many-standards/

[dem]

Also the style of head (tapered vs. flat)

Some good descriptions and pictures on these pages:
http://www.dream-bikes.it/shop/en/115-carbon-ti-x-lock-rear-wheel-12-mm-thru-axle.html
http://www.dream-bikes.it/shop/en/110-carbon-ti-x-lock-qr15-front-wheel-thru-axle-15x100-and-15x110-boost.html#

[ColonelJLloyd]

Thanks. Do the thread pitch differences correspond to Fox vs. RockShox?

I believe so, yes. DT Swiss is 1.5.

Also the style of head (tapered vs. flat)

I'm aware of this difference, but have yet to come across anything but flat. Who employs a tapered head and is it still a standard that's used?

[madcow]

Edit: Ok so your answer lead me to find this, I think it answers what I needed. Appreciate it.
http://bikeandskiblog.com/wp/2016/01/12/mtb-thru-axles-who-knew-there-were-so-many-standards/

That list is a good start. They have 6 different ones listed but that's by no means even half of them, we've got 21 different variants already with more on the way.

The key pieces of the different variants that you need to know in order to match them up.

Diameter: 12, 15mm etc..

Length: Spec length of hub is not adequate. 142, 142 boost etc... won't tell you the actual length. There are at least 5 different lengths for standard 142mm. You need the length of the full thru axle minus the head.

Thread pitch:

Thread length: This is the amount of the thru axle that is threaded.

Interface: flat or conical. (conical isn't super common, but is used by Syntace, Specialized, Magura and others...)

With those specs you can match up just about anything. We've got a full list of as many variables as we've been able to catalog so far (to be fair we have a couple of new ones to add to this list shortly.) You can see what we have so far here: http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews-and-testing/high-end-skewer-review/all-about-thru-axles/

When you start looking at open mold frames we've seen all sorts of variants that don't line up with any of the more common variants on our list.

[oldpotatoe]

That list is a good start. They have 6 different ones listed but that's by no means even half of them, we've got 21 different variants already with more on the way.

The key pieces of the different variants that you need to know in order to match them up.

Diameter: 12, 15mm etc..

Length: Spec length of hub is not adequate. 142, 142 boost etc... won't tell you the actual length. There are at least 5 different lengths for standard 142mm. You need the length of the full thru axle minus the head.

Thread pitch:

Thread length: This is the amount of the thru axle that is threaded.

Interface: flat or conical. (conical isn't super common, but is used by Syntace, Specialized, Magura and others...)

With those specs you can match up just about anything. We've got a full list of as many variables as we've been able to catalog so far (to be fair we have a couple of new ones to add to this list shortly.) You can see what we have so far here: http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews-and-testing/high-end-skewer-review/all-about-thru-axles/

When you start looking at open mold frames we've seen all sorts of variants that don't line up with any of the more common variants on our list.

This post speaks volumes about how gooned up 'bicycles' have become. Throw in BB 'standards' and some 'tubeless' 'standards', what a sh¥t show. NOT good for the industry, imho. Rant off.

[madcow]

This post speaks volumes about how gooned up 'bicycles' have become. Throw in BB 'standards' and some 'tubeless' 'standards', what a sh¥t show. NOT good for the industry, imho. Rant off.

While I totally agree that the "standards" are gooned up. I would also say that it is incredibly good for those well educated shops and mechanics that understand all the variations of all the standards and can help their clients find the right solution the first time.

There aren't a ton of shops that can tell you which thru axle you 2015 ridley needs, or why the "386" bb on your older Storck won't accept an actual 386 bottom bracket. But those that can have an advantage in my opinion. It will help them separate themselves out form the online giants that don't have a clue what you need and honestly couldn't care less if it fits.

[oldpotatoe]

While I totally agree that the "standards" are gooned up. I would also say that it is incredibly good for those well educated shops and mechanics that understand all the variations of all the standards and can help their clients find the right solution the first time.

There aren't a ton of shops that can tell you which thru axle you 2015 ridley needs, or why the "386" bb on your older Storck won't accept an actual 386 bottom bracket. But those that can have an advantage in my opinion. It will help them separate themselves out form the online giants that don't have a clue what you need and honestly couldn't care less if it fits.

All true but tell me how the lack of standards helps the bike biz? Good bike shops that go to school are the answer but philosophically, this BS doesn't make riding a bike better or easier. Imho of course.

BTW thanks for writing a great guide for this T/A stuff..maybe even some bike shop will benefit.

[SpeedyChix]

Easy pitch chart: https://robertaxleproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/RAP_fitment_guide_8.5x11_2017.pdf

As noted (madcow is spot on), you need to know the shaft length, interface (flat/x-type), how much of the shaft is threaded.

It can get even weirder, 100x15TA, 130 long with a 14 threaded portion rather then 15....

[unterhausen]

This post speaks volumes about how gooned up 'bicycles' have become. Throw in BB 'standards' and some 'tubeless' 'standards', what a sh¥t show. NOT good for the industry, imho. Rant off.

the great thing about standards is that everybody can have their own.

Ok, in all seriousness, I was really annoyed when "they" decided that road forks would be 12mm instead of 15mm. There really is no difference between those two sizes other than the fact that a 15mm hub will not fit a 12mm bike. And Paragon introduced a 12mm fork dropout right after I bought 15mm TA dummy axles.

[bewheels]

In addition to the great write up/link from Madcow, Paul's has a chart and video about determining what you need.

https://paulcomp.com/shop/components/skewers/thru-axle-quick-release/

[Anarchist]

That list is a good start. They have 6 different ones listed but that's by no means even half of them, we've got 21 different variants already with more on the way.

The key pieces of the different variants that you need to know in order to match them up.

Diameter: 12, 15mm etc..

Length: Spec length of hub is not adequate. 142, 142 boost etc... won't tell you the actual length. There are at least 5 different lengths for standard 142mm. You need the length of the full thru axle minus the head.

Thread pitch:

Thread length: This is the amount of the thru axle that is threaded.

Interface: flat or conical. (conical isn't super common, but is used by Syntace, Specialized, Magura and others...)

With those specs you can match up just about anything. We've got a full list of as many variables as we've been able to catalog so far (to be fair we have a couple of new ones to add to this list shortly.) You can see what we have so far here: http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews-and-testing/high-end-skewer-review/all-about-thru-axles/

When you start looking at open mold frames we've seen all sorts of variants that don't line up with any of the more common variants on our list.

Jeezuz I am glad I am done buying bikes. From now till the day I drop, I am going to ride what I have.

I understand them.

[peanutgallery]

You guys just sound cranky:) Last bike pfffft

Pay attention to the details and remember that the thru-axle stays with the bike...period. They are not going away

Pretty sure triathletes are even figuring them out and using them as there have been reports of thru-axles being found in the pool filter at our local Y

[chiasticon]

Pretty sure triathletes are even figuring them out and using them as there have been reports of thru-axles being found in the pool filter at our local Y:hello:

[donevwil]

Wanting to buy a wheelest for my first TA frameset (Endpoint H/G) with 12 x 142 rear Paragon drops with M12x1.0 thread and am only now realizing all the "standards" that currently exist. Is the axle (length and thread) to drop compatibility the only critical detail and any 12 x 142 wheel will fit or do I also have to be wary of oddball standards shown in the prior link, like the Syntace X12 (i.e. will a 12 x 142 X12 rear wheel fit in my 12 x 142 M12x1.0 dropouts with the proper axle)?

[thwart]

Jeezuz I am glad I am done buying bikes. From now till the day I drop, I am going to ride what I have.

I understand them.

I'm with you and the old spud on this, brother.

Reading through the (very thorough and informative) Fairwheel blog post... and the large number of graphics required... occurred to me it could have very easily been an article in the Onion.

"You can work on your own bike, it's actually quite simple and straightforward".

:D

[ColonelJLloyd]

Wanting to buy a wheelest for my first TA frameset (Endpoint H/G) with 12 x 142 rear Paragon drops with M12x1.0 thread and am only now realizing all the "standards" that currently exist. Is the axle (length and thread) to drop compatibility the only critical detail and any 12 x 142 wheel will fit or do I also have to be wary of oddball standards shown in the prior link, like the Syntace X12 (i.e. will a 12 x 142 X12 rear wheel fit in my 12 x 142 M12x1.0 dropouts with the proper axle)?

Get a DT Swiss or Paragon combination axle. I have both (both used with different type Paragon dropouts).

They will be listed as 12x1.0x142 (http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/replaceable-parts/axles-skewer/rear/dt001-dt-swiss-rws-12-mm-rear-skewer.html) rear and 12x1.0x100 (http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/replaceable-parts/axles-skewer/pmw/sk4001-pmw-100-x-12-mm-combination-head-front-skewer.html) front.

[donevwil]

Get a DT Swiss or Paragon combination axle. I have both (both used with different type Paragon dropouts).

They will be listed as 12x1.0x142 (http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/replaceable-parts/axles-skewer/rear/dt001-dt-swiss-rws-12-mm-rear-skewer.html) rear and 12x1.0x100 (http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/replaceable-parts/axles-skewer/pmw/sk4001-pmw-100-x-12-mm-combination-head-front-skewer.html) front.

To simplify the axle part of the equation I'm just buying PMW axles (https://rideendpoint.com/products/pmw-thru-axle-kit-for-hunter-gatherer-framesets)from Endpoint.

What I'm curious about is the hubs themselves. The articles linked above discuss the axle interface in great detail, but not if certain hub standards within a size (12 x 142) are incompatible with other standards within the same size, i.e. does a 12 x 142 Syntace X12 wheelset fit in frameset not identified as X12 if the correct axle is used.

Also, Endpoint axed the 12mm front and will only ship 15mm henceforth.

[ColonelJLloyd]

You match the axles to the frame and fork and they can henceforth be considered part of said frame and fork. Different hub brands are compatible within a given axle diameter and OLD width. And. . . . many hubs can be compatible across various specs with the use of switchable end caps.

For instance, my SRAM 900 front hub can be used with the following fork standards:

9x100 QR
12x100 TA
15x100 TA
15x110 TA
20x110 TA

In your Syntace example, yes. You can use any hub intended for use in a 12x142 rear end. In other words, there isn't a "12x142 Syntace X12" WHEEL, but there is a "12x142 Syntace X12" FRAME.