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ASK RBA: ASK RC: CLAMPING FORCE OF TITANIUM WHEEL SKEWERS COMPARED TO STEEL
Richard Cunningham
November 2, 2009
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Can you confirm if there is any appreciable difference in the clamping force of Titanium wheel skewers compared to steel? Is there any difference in regards to feel in the front fork and rear triangle when using titanium versus steel shafted skewers on a road bike? I am considering getting some Titanium skewers for road bike (but not my full suspension MTB due to possible risk of additional flex, Thanks for any light you can shed on this.
–Mark Harrison
I did some tensile testing on quick releases and discovered that there was a huge difference in clamping forces between designs. Shimano and Campagnolo tested the highest. The difference between steel and titanium shafts is not in the clamping forces—both can be set to clamp equally—instead, the titanium skewers are more elastic, so when additional moment is introduced, the steel shafts flex less than Ti shafts. While it may not feel like a huge difference on a road bike the extra flex can be sensed by some of the higher watt climbers and sprinters in the overall stiffness of the fork and rear triangle.
I can’t tell the difference between a good Ti or steel quick release on my road bike, but I won’t use Ti on my mountain bikes. More important then materiel perhaps, is that the clamping force between different lever designs can vary up to 50 percent. This is not place to save gobs of weight as the torsional stiffness of the frame must be translated through the axles. Use name brand QRs from conservative parts makers.
The more clamping force, the better—but don’t overdo it. Good quick releases are designed to close smoothly, to engage about 90-degrees through the arc (parallel with the axle) and to close firmly, with enough resistance to leave an impression in the palm of your hand. Closing force is generated by the effectiveness of the cam-action of the mechanism, not by over-tightening the lever.
Contact Richard Cunningham for questions or comments, or just to talk bikes at: askRC@roadbikeaction.com
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