Are there any down-sides to going bolt through?

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February 09, 2012, 05:39:48 AM

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Total Voters: 252

[Mark W]

There seem to be a lot of positive comments about going bolt through front and rear, in terms of stiffening things up where they need to be stiffened. So those don't need to be re-iterated for now

However it did get me thinking- apart from additional cost and additional weight (to an extent e.g. 15mm less so than 20mm) are there any down-sides?

The main one that crosses my mind, is: by removing flex from certain areas, does it increase stress at places where the frame could crack?

My gut feeling is no- by limiting movement to planes of bearings for the rear, and to a more linear track at the front it's likely to decrease stress on the frame rather than increase it.

Does anyone have anything more concrete?!

[willber]

I dont have anything mre concrete - but as far i'm concerned any disadvantages are far outweighed by the benefits.

[Ant]

i'll put it this way..


With having just a 9mm QR, there's going to be more flex in the rear. This means that there is more stress to the ally frame esp around the welds due to rotational forces when turning.

When using the 12mm bolt through (Or maxle, they're both the same really) you're reducing the flex on the welds as you're requiring larger forces to flex the bike like it would be when using the 9mm. This helps out the bike as it puts less stress on it.

But really, these aren't really regarded as important, as the frames are designed to soak up this flex to a certain extent.

Ally really doesn't like to flex that much, its got a slightly brittle nature to it (Hence when it cracks, you know it's cracked) when comparing it to steel which bends before cracking.

(Gah, the engineer in me is wanting to be released!)

There are many advantages of using the bolt through, such as less flex, easier to turn, believe it or not, slightly better accelleration and braking (You'll never notice the difference though when riding), and less wheel deflection.

One of the disadvantages of bolt through, depending on the system, is that it can take a few seconds longer to take the wheel off.

But as said before, don't worry, using the 12mm bolt through won't make any noticable life span changes to the frame.

But to cut to the chase, DON'T WORRY!!!!! using bolt through will make the bike stiffer, turn harder, turn easier over rough terrain, and will reduce wheel deflections with no noticable disadvantages.

[KRON]

It's one of the things I wish I did to mine, still thinking about getting new hubs and doing it, question is, can I run bolt through on my forks? I have Revelation Race dual air but not the maxel ones. is there an adapter or am I asking a stupid question?

[Ant]

For forks, no, there are no adapters about.

It's a case of new lowers!

[Mark W]

Ant- a detailed reply! Thank you. That logic was along the lines of what I was hoping...

[nickb]

only down side i can see going to bolt through is the high cost.

[pdid]

only down side i can see going to bolt through is the high cost.

And that you need to carry a suitable spanner/ allan key to get your wheel off.

[domino0]

And that you need to carry a suitable spanner/ allan key to get your wheel off.

no they all come with levers and stuff, no need for spanners or allen keys unless its a bmx or down crown DH fork

[marki3boy]

For forks you can go 9 mm QR through axle, a bit stiffer than a normal QR. The bits are on Superstars components.
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=286

[pdid]

no they all come with levers and stuff, no need for spanners or allen keys unless its a bmx or down crown DH fork

Dom, I was referring to the rear rather than the front, if you go 12mm bolt through non maxle then you need tools.

[domino0]

Dom, I was referring to the rear rather than the front, if you go 12mm bolt through non maxle then you need tools.

Oh right ok sorry, not all or them u do anyway, cause i have bolt through and its not needing any tools, not maxle

[iain1775]

only down side i can see going to bolt through is the high cost.

Think I have just got myself some new wheels for my Meta so as soon as they and a 12mm conversion kit turn up I will have my existing complete rear bolt through kit and wheel for sale comprising of -

Meta / Supreme 08 or 09 12mm dropouts
12mm QR bolt through axle
12mm (135mm) rear wheel - Sun Singletrack rim/Formula (Commencal branded) hub (was original spec on a Supreme)
basically everything needed to convert rear to 12mm bolt through
drop outs are brand new unused, wheel and axle as good as new, used only a handful of times

Mark W on here already has first refusal and these won't be available probably until end of next week but just a heads up if anyone else is tempted

[damo]

wheel and axle as good as new, used only a handful of times

I can vouch for that, and not hammered as he only goes slow........................waits for the back lash!!!

Damo

[iain1775]

I can vouch for that, and not hammered as he only goes slow........................waits for the back lash!!!

Damo

Hey! Im faster than Steve P
.....and Mighty Mick