jamesm38•8d agoProlific Poster

Unpopular opinion: most people over-tighten their quick-release skewers

I see it all the time, folks cranking them down like a bolt. It just needs to be firm enough that you can't close the lever without a solid palm push. Over-tightening can actually damage the hub and skewer. Anyone else find this is the most common mistake in the shop?

3 comments

3 Comments

garcia.tyler8d ago

Guilty as charged. I used to crank mine down until my knuckles turned white, thinking it was safer. Turns out I was just making it harder to open and probably stressing the parts.

the_mila8d ago

Yeah, I saw a thing about this where a mechanic said over-tightening is super common. They called it "gorilla tightening" and said it just wears out the gaskets and threads faster. You're totally right, @garcia.tyler, it feels like you're doing it right but you're just making more work for yourself later. I'm trying to remember it's just snug, then maybe a tiny bit more, not a full body workout.

stellachen8d ago

@garcia.tyler, you were basically giving your oil pan the world's worst stress test.