How do you get the dang wheel out?!

This is the front brake setup on a typical hybrid:

To get the front wheel out, you will first have to release this brake. The brake cable is housed in a metal casing called the "noodle", with a cable stop, which falls into a slot on a little swing arm attached to the main brake arm:

To release the brakes, you will need to squeeze the brake arms together, and lift up on the noodle to remove the cable stop from the slot. I find it easiest to push the brakes together with the heels of my hands while I manipulate the cable with my fingers. If you have larger hands, you may be able to squeeze the brakes together with one hand, and pull the cable with the other.

Voila! Now the brake arms can swing open:

Next, move down to the wheel hub to open the quick release lever which retains your front wheel:

Grasp the underside of the quick release lever, and open it by swinging it out:

On the opposite side of the hub, turn the nut a few turns to get it past the "lawyer knobs" designed to give your front wheel a little extra security:

You can now pull the wheel out, and lay your bike down, or rest it on the fork.

A few things to remember when you are reinstalling the front wheel:

1. Do not overtighten the nut on the front hub. It should be just tight enough to allow you to close the quick release lever applying a reasonable amount of firm pressure with the palm of your hand, as shown. (click here for details.) The lever should leave an imprint on the palm of your hand.

2. Reattach the brakes by reversing the steps above. As a final step, lift up on the handlebars and spin the front wheel to see if it is spinning freely. If not, don't panic! Without unhooking the brakes, flip open the quick release lever. This will allow you enough wiggle room to center the rim between the brake pads.

Now, close the quick release, and test the wheel again. Don't get frustrated. It may take a couple of tries if you've never done this before.

(The same guidelines apply to removing the rear wheel, however the procedure is somewhat more complicated by the presence of the chain. We find it easiest to start by shifting the rear (right) shift lever until the chain drops to the smallest cog. Then, pretty much follow the above procedure. I will do a post with complete guidelines in the near future.)

Comments

[TerryG]

Wow. Just started riding on Fathers' Day - guess what she got me ;-) - so I'm thinking, "hey, why don't you figure out Metra from Arlington Park to, say, Irving or Addison and ride on downtown." Then I thought "Dang, I don't even know how to quick-release my front tire." Then BANG, I see the url to this site on the Chi Tribune site, I click it, and here's how to quick-release my front tire. Thanks. TerryG

[Justyna]

Sounds like the advice was timely. Glad I could help. Enjoy your Father's day gift!

[grajashekar.sunabeda@gmail.com]

Thanks was all set for my first DIY puncture fix

except I did not know how to work the QR

Thank you :)

gr