Using A Quick Release - Bike Friday Silk User Manual

Using a Quick Release

Using Those Nifty Quick Releases
On a cold and snowy day in the 1927 Gran Premio della Vittoria,
a tired and numb Tullio Campagnolo struggled with the frozen
wing nuts on his rear wheel while trying to change gears. In a
moment of frustration and inspiration Campagnolo envisioned
the modern quick release. The bicycle world was transformed.
The quick release is one of those simple but great inventions that
really makes life better. However, if used incorrectly, you can
potentially endanger yourself. Although a reliable and safe prod-
uct, some people have been injured because they didn't know
how to properly use this elegant device. Your Bike Friday Silk
has several of them. If you are not familiar with their operation,
PLEASE study these directions carefully. If you are still unclear on
their operation, call us or contact your favorite local bike shop
before you ride!
Quick Release Operation
A quick release is a simple cam with a lever that swings through an
arc that is square to the axle. As the lever moves, the cam clamps
the wheel to the frame, or secures the frame joint. It is not a wing
nut to be rotated around the axle.
The tension on the quick release is controlled by how tight the
knurled nut on the other end is set. Only wheel quick releases
have the small cone-shaped springs. Note that the small ends of
the springs face toward the center of the hub.
Quick Release Maintenance
We recommend adding a few drops of light oil to the lever where
it enters the cap several times per year. This will keep your quick
release working smoothly for years to come.
Knurled Nut
(adjust tightness here)
Springs
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Open
(Loose)
Cam
(Starts
getting
tight
here)
QR
Closed
(Stiff)
800-777-0258 • +1-541-687-0487
Using a Quick Release
Adjust Knurled Nut
With the wheel installed and
the axle properly seated in
the frame (or the frame
joint closed), position the
quick release lever so that it
is in line with the axle. Then
turn the knurled nut on the
other side clockwise until
it is snug. When the quick
release is properly adjusted, you should be able to freely swing
the quick release lever for the first half of its arc, at which point
the lever should offer resistance.
Continue Closing QR
Using the palm of your hand
press the quick release
lever through the rest of its
arc until the lever is closed
and parallel to the wheel.
You should feel very firm
resistance when the quick
release is properly adjusted
(the lever may even leave a
light imprint in the palm of your hand).
Double-Check!
Ideally, the quick release
lever should be facing the
rear, or upward. Levers
that are facing forward can
catch on any number of
things and be accidentally
opened.
800-777-0258 • +1-541-687-0487
Fig. 1 Quick release operation.
Fig. 2 Setting quick release tightness.
Fig. 3 Closed QR points toward rear.
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