How To Remove Bicycle Axle: From Quick-Release to Thru-Axle

Written By: Jonathan
Fact Checked By: Caroline Dezendorf
Reviewed By: Matt Tanner

The Bicycle Axles are solid rods that literally run through the center of your wheels and their purpose is to hold them securely onto your bicycle frame.

And they also come in different types such as: quick-release, thru-axle and there is also a solid bolt-on axle: And you should know which one your bicycle has which is also the first step.

Whether you wanted to replace a damaged wheel, or just inspect the bearings, or pack your bicycle for a trip, just get the axle out correctly which is really important to make sure your ride remains safe, stable and smooth.

Also, in fact if your bicycle has a poorly secured axle or one that is worn out, that is a common cause of wheel misalignment, wobble and even brake problems: specially in bicycles with disc brakes.

This is why it is important to understand how your axle works and everything covered in this guide on How To Remove Bicycle Axle is again essential knowledge for every cyclist.

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What are the Types of Bicycle Axles

So basically bicycle axles may look like a simple rod of sorts, but they actually play a big and important role in keeping your wheels tightly attached to the bicycle frame and this is what allows them to move smoothly.

And they come in three main types of axles used on bicycles today: quick-release, thru-axles, and solid bolt-on axles.

Also, each of them has a different design, is used on different types of bicycles and that is why it actually requires a slightly different method for removal and installation, which is fair enough.

1. Quick-Release Axle

Therefore, quick-release axles are one of the most commonly found and easiest to use axle types, as they have a skewer that runs through the hub of the wheel and actually locks into place using a cam lever on one side and a nut on the other.

What’s more, with a simple flick of the lever you can loosen or tighten the spindle without any tools.

Additionally, it is also commonly found on road bicycles, hybrid bicycles, and older mountain bicycles.

Why It is Useful

This allows for virtually quick and easy wheel removal, which is great for fixing a punctured tire or even transporting the bicycle.

IMPORTANT: You should know that the lever should always be kept fully closed and pressed inwards while riding to avoid accidentally opening it. And over time, the skewers or springs can wear out, so regular checks are always appreciated.

2. Thru-Axle

Thru-axles are a newer and more robust version of bicycle axles, and are popular on modern mountain bikes and also used on high-end road bicycles.

Unlike a quick-release skewer, a thru-axle is actually a solid metal rod that passes completely through the wheel hub and threads directly into the bicycle frame or fork.

And you can also see them on modern mountain bikes, gravel bikes, cyclocross, and disc brake road bicycles.

Why It is Great for Some Riders

In fact thru-axles actually provide a stiffer and more secure connection, which also significantly improves braking power and handling, which becomes even more important on rough roads or high-speed descents.

IMPORTANT: Removing these usually requires a hex wrench or Allen key, as some thru-axles have built-in levers and others are bolt-style only.

3. Solid Axle (Bolt-On)

Solid axles are also known as bolt-on axles and are the more traditional design, where the axle is threaded on both sides and held in place with two nuts.

Yes, they are very simple but also very robust, which is why they are a favorite for utility bicycles and heavy load carrying bicycles as well.

And solid axles are also used, commonly found on BMX bicycles, single-speed bicycles, city bicycles, and low-cost mountain or commuter bicycles.

Why It is Used

Therefore, it is extremely robust and offers reliability, which is really great for bicycles that need to be locked often or ridden hard.

IMPORTANT: You’ll need an adjustable wrench or socket to loosen the nuts on both sides, and you should always loosen them evenly so you can avoid bending the axle or damaging the frame.

So, just finding out what type of axle your bicycle has will definitely help you choose the right kind of tools and techniques when removing or reinstalling wheels.

Yes, there is no doubt that each of these axles has its own benefits depending on the type of riding you do.

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Tools

Tool / Item	Purpose	Applies To
Adjustable Wrench	This helps to loosen or tighten the axle nut.	Bolt-on/Solid Axle
Hex Key (5mm or 6mm)	This allows you to easily unscrew the thru-axle bolts.	Thru-Axle
Quick-Release Lever	Yes, it has a built in tool for removing the quick release axle.	Quick-Release
Bike Grease or Anti-Seize	Lubrication will help prevent rust on the threads and make it easier to remove in the future.	All Axle Types
Clean Rag or Cloth	It is necessary to wipe off dirt, grease and check for wear.	All Axle Types
Bike Repair Stand	It’s really great to be able to keep the bike stable and lift it up for easy access.	Optional but helpful for all bikes
Gloves	This virtually keeps your hands clean and also improves grip during the process.	All Axle Types
Magnetic Tray / Small Cup	You can safely store small parts like quick release springs and axle nuts in it.	All Axle Types (specially quick-release)
Penetrating Oil (e.g., WD-40)	This is really great for loosening stuck or rusted axle threads.	For older or corroded axles
Torque Wrench (Optional)	This is completely optional but it’s a great tool to have that ensures precise tightening, specially for thru-axles.	Thru-Axle (recommended)

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Prepare Your Bicycle First

You really need to prepare your bicycle properly, as this makes the whole process safer, faster and easier.

1. Shift to the Smallest Gear (Rear Wheel)

If you want to remove the rear wheel, first you need to shift your chain to the smallest gear on the rear cassette, which is also the smallest cog.

As this virtually relieves the tension in the derailleur and chain, it makes it much easier to remove the wheel later without applying any force or causing damage to the drivetrain.

2. Stabilize Your Bicycle

Now, the next thing is that you have to keep the bicycle in a stable way and you can work easily.

So, if you have a bicycle repair stand then you can use it to lift the bicycle off the ground and keep it upright.

But even if you don’t have this facility, you don’t need to worry because now you can carefully turn the bicycle upside down by resting it on the handlebars and seat.

You just have to make sure that the place should be a soft surface or you can use a towel or cardboard so that you can avoid scratching anything, specially your brake levers, shifters or bicycle seat.

3. Remove Any Kind of Accessories or Components

And finally, you’ll need to take a quick look at any accessories or components that might be in the way, and if your bicycle has rim brakes, it’s a good idea to release the brake calipers as well so they don’t catch the wheel when you try to remove them.

Additionally, if you are using disc brakes you need to check that the rotor is clean and free of debris and you must be very careful that you do not accidentally press the brake lever once the wheel comes off, because this can also cause the pads to stick together.

Also, if your bicycle has fenders, panniers, or any other extras near the wheels, remove or loosen them so you can work easily.

Read More:

How to Replace a Broken Spoke on a Bicycle

How To Remove A Bicycle Fork

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How to Remove a Quick-Release Axle

Indeed quick-release axles are designed for speed and convenience that actually allow riders to remove their wheels without any type of tools.

As these axles are commonly found on road bicycles, hybrid bicycles, and older mountain bicycles.

1. Open the Quick-Release Lever

Now, you first need to locate the quick-release lever, located on the side of the wheel’s hub. The lever is the part of the cam system that actually holds the axle tightly into the bicycle’s dropouts, which are the slotted ends of the frame or fork.

Then open the lever fully: you will feel a strong click or pop as it moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Therefore, you should never try to force the wheel out without first opening the lever, as it is this lever that actually holds the axle in place, so you will have to open it which is really necessary before you can proceed.

2. Unscrew the Nut on the Opposite Side

By now you will have opened the lever, and now you will need to find a small adjustment nut on the opposite side of the hub.

Keep the lever in the open position while unscrewing this nut anti-clockwise, as this will actually allow you to widen the gap between the dropouts so the wheel can slide out freely.

And usually, you don’t even need to remove the nut completely, you just need to create clearance.

IMPORTANT: You need to be really careful about the two small conical springs that sit on either side of the skewer, as these are the springs that help center the wheel during installation but can easily fall out during removal, and it also actually keeps them in a safe place to reinstall.

3. Gently Pull the Axle Out While Supporting the Wheel

Now, the lever is actually opened and the nut is also loose, so now you can easily remove the quick-release axle.

So, just gently slide the axle out of the hub by pulling it straight, and at the same time, you actually have to support the wheel with your other hand so that you can prevent it from falling off suddenly.

And on some bicycles the skewer may come out even with the wheel still in place, and specially in the case of the front tire: and that’s perfectly fine too, but you just have to be gentle and avoid bending the axle.

4. Remove the Wheel from the Frame or Fork

So, once the axle is out or completely loose, you are now ready to remove the wheel from the bicycle.

If you’re removing the front wheel, you can lift it straight up from the fork dropouts.

And if you’re removing the rear wheel, it requires a little more care, so you’ll need to shift the chain to the smallest rear cog before removing the wheel. Also, carefully move the wheel back and down and make sure the chain comes out of the cassette and derailleur safely as well.

Always go slowly here, as hurrying can cause the derailleur to stretch or the chain to jam.

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How to Remove a Thru-Axle

Thru-axles are commonly found in modern mountain bicycles, gravel bicycles, cyclocross, and many disc-brake road bicycles, and are also used in motorcycles.

And it’s not like a quick-release axle, because a thru-axle is a solid rod that passes through the frame or fork and hub actually providing a stronger and more secure connection.

This is why it is considered perfect for off-roading or high-speed riding for performance and safety purposes.

1. Locate the Thru-Axle Lever or Bolt

Now, first you’ll need to identify the thru-axle on your wheel, as it may have a built-in lever that flips out to turn, or it may have a smooth bolt head that actually requires a tool to remove.

If it has a lever, it functions just like a quick-release system, but it is actually threaded like a bolt.

And if there is no lever, you will actually need a hex key which is usually 5mm or 6mm to loosen it.

So you should know what your style is, this will definitely help you in using the right type of tool, so that you can avoid damaging the thread.

2. Use a Hex Key or Lever to Unscrew the Axle

So, if your thru-axle actually uses a hex bolt design, you’ll need to insert the correctly sized hex key into the axle head and then turn it anti-clockwise so you can easily open it.

Also, if your axle has a built-in lever then you will simply need to unscrew the lever and then turn it anti-clockwise to loosen the axle.

So, when you rotate it you will feel the tension gradually reducing.

Plus, you don’t have to force it open: because thru-axles have very fine threads and can be easily opened.

Also, you need to keep rotating it until the axle is completely disengaged from the dropout on the opposite side.

3. Slide the Axle Out Gently

So, once you have loosened it completely, you now need to gently slide the thru-axle out of the hub, as by now it should come out easily without any resistance.

And if it still seems to be stuck, you really need to make sure it’s completely unthreaded before you attempt to pull it out.

So, when pulling the axle, use your other hand to support the wheel, so it doesn’t fall down suddenly, or put pressure on your brake rotors or derailleur, which is very important, specially if you’re removing the rear wheel.

4. Carefully Remove the Wheel from the Dropouts

Now that your axle is fully removed, you can now carefully slide the wheel out of the dropout: this is because the slot on the frame or fork where the axle sits has opened up.

For the front wheel all you need to do is lift it straight up in an upward direction and away from the forks, but be careful not to touch or bend the disc brake rotors.

For the rear wheel, you need to gently move it in the back and down direction and make sure the chain clears the cassette. Therefore, you may need to raise the rear derailleur a little to make space.

The point is to just go slow and keep the wheel as straight as possible so you can safely avoid scratching the frame or jamming the chain.

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How to Remove a Solid Axle/Bolt-On Axle

Solid axles are also known as bolt-on axles and are commonly found on single-speed bicycles, BMX bicycles, older mountain bicycles, commuter bicycles, and utility bicycles such as cargo or city bicycles.

And these axles are also known for their durability, strong wheel retention, and simplicity, and instead of quick-release levers or thru-axle bolts, these axles are held in place by nuts, which are screwed directly onto both ends of the axle.

1. Use an Adjustable or Socket Wrench to Loosen Both Axle Nuts

You should first install the two axle nuts on either side of the wheel hub, as these nuts also secure the wheel firmly to the bicycle frame or fork.

So, just use a 15mm socket wrench or an adjustable wrench so that you can easily turn both nuts anti-clockwise.

Just start loosening them a little at a time, one after the other, so you can easily avoid putting uneven pressure on the axle or dropouts.

NOTE: If the nuts are rusted or stuck, you can apply a little penetrating oil such as WD-40 on them and let it sit for a few minutes and then try again, this will help a lot to reduce the stickiness.

2. Unscrew Evenly on Both Sides

Now, you need to continue to loosen the nuts evenly on both sides until they are completely free, and it is really very important that you do not remove one side completely while the other is still tight: as it can twist or damage the axle and may make the wheel harder to remove.

As some bolt-on axle setups may also have washers, lock washers, or safety tabs: just keep an eye on these and store them safely in a tray or small container.

3. Slide the Wheel Out While Guiding the Chain (Rear Wheel)

So, when both the nuts and washers are fully removed, you are all set to take the wheel out of the dropout, as well as the slotted end of the frame or fork where the axle sits.

For the front wheel, you simply need to lift the bicycle up a little and pull the wheel straight down or forward, depending on the design of your bicycle.

For the rear wheel this is a little trickier: you first have to shift the chain to the smallest rear cog to get some slack, and then pull the wheel back and down a little, moving the chain away from the cog and gently pulling it off the frame.

And you must be very careful not to put too much force on it: so just use one hand to remove the rear derailleur from the spot where it actually needs to be removed.

Finally, if the wheel doesn’t come out easily, double-check that the nuts are completely loose and that nothing is stuck or falling on the chain.

IMPORTANT: The accurate axle torque is actually essential for safe and truly reliable wheel attachment, and Park Tool actually lists solid axle nuts at between 29 and 44 Nm, and quick-release front axles at 20 to 37 Nm and rears at 27 to 34 Nm.[¹]

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Conclusion On How To Remove Bicycle Axle

At this point, you are actually all set as you can easily remove a bicycle axle by understanding the actual type of axle your bicycle has and then using the correct steps.

So, whether you’re actually working with a quick-release, thru-axle, or solid bolt-on axle, just have the right type of tools and follow the steps accordingly.

And if you keep the spindle clean and the threads properly lubricated it can make the process smooth and problem-free forever.

If you still have some queries please ask in the comment section below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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References:

[1] Park Tool. Torque Specifications & Concepts
https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/torque-specifications-and-concepts