Front Wheel Secondary Retention Devices

2. Front Wheel Secondary Retention Devices

Many bicycles have front forks which utilizes a secondary wheel retention device to keep the wheel from disengaging if the quick release is incorrectly adjusted. Secondary retention devices are not a substitute for correct quick release adjustment.

Secondary retention devices fall into two basic categories:

a)The clip-on type is an accessory part which the manufacturer adds to the front wheel hub or front fork.

b)The integral type is molded, cast or machined into the outer faces of the front fork dropouts.

Ask your dealer to explain the particular secondary retention device on your bike.

WARNING: Removing or disabling the secondary retention device is extremely dangerous and may lead to serious injury or death. It also may void the warranty.

3.Removing or Installing Quick Release Wheels

a)Removing a Quick Release Front Wheel

(1)Open up the brake shoes.

(2)Rotate the wheel’s quick-release lever from the locked or CLOSED position to the OPEN position.

(3)If your front fork does not have a secondary retention device go to step 5.

(4)If your front fork has a clip-on type secondary retention device, disengage it and go to step (5). If your front fork has an integral secondary retention device, loosen the tension adjusting enough to allow removing the wheel; then go to step (5).

(5)Raise the front wheel a few inches off the ground and tap the top of the wheel with the palm of your hand to knock the wheel out of the front fork.

b)Installing a Quick Release Front Wheel

(1)Rotate the quick-release lever so that it curves away from the wheel. This is the OPEN position.

(2)With the steering fork facing forward, insert the wheel between the fork blades so that the axle seats firmly at the top of the slots which are at the tips of the fork blades — the fork drop-outs. The quick-release lever should be on the left side of the bicycle. If your bike has a clip-on type secondary retention device, engage it.

(3)Holding the quick-release lever in the OPEN position with your right hand, tighten the tension adjusting nut with your left hand until it is finger tight against the fork dropout.

(4)While pushing the wheel firmly to the top of the slots in the fork dropouts, and at the same time centering the wheel rim in the fork, rotate the quick-release lever upwards and push it into the CLOSED position (see pages 29-30). The lever should be parallel to the fork blade and curved toward the wheel.