What Makes a Good Hub Skewer for Your Bike
Having the right hub skewer for your bike is an important thing to consider when it comes to ride quality and safety. It’s not just about having a light weight, great looking or aerodynamic set up but making sure you have the correct skewer for the right purpose. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or new to the sport there are some main points to consider when choosing your hub skewer to ensure it’s the most appropriate for your ride.
When it comes to sizing the best skewer width will depend on the size of the hubs. Usually a 9mm skewer is suitable for road hubs and a 10mm skewer for mountain bike hubs. Ensure the skewer is the correct size when measuring width as you may find it either too tall or too short. Generally, when it comes to mountain bikes, longer skewers are more preferable than shorter ones.
If you’re looking for something to hold your bike securely the first thing to decide is whether you’d like a traditional QR skewer or a bolt-on skewer. Traditional skewers use an adjustable cam to clamp down on the bike quick release while a bolt-on skewer uses an Allen head bolt. Bolt-on skewers typically provide a stronger and more secure hold than quick-release skewers.
In terms of the material used for the skewer, there are various options to choose from. Steel is the classic choice and is a great value option, however it can be quite heavy. Aluminum is another common material and it’s lighter than steel, but it can be vulnerable to corrosion. Titanium is an excellent choice, as it’s super light, strong and not affected by rust.
Choosing the right hub skewer for your bike can be a challenge. It’s important to make sure the size of the skewer is correct. Once you’ve got the right size, you can then decide between a traditional QR skewer and a bolt-on skewer depending on what type of hold it needs. Then, you can look at the material of the skewer for either steel, aluminum or titanium. With a bit of research and due consideration, you can easily find the perfect hub skewer for your bike.