PSA: My front wheel came off on a downhill run last week

I was riding down a steep trail in the Blue Hills three days ago. I had just put the wheel back on after fixing a flat in my garage. I didn't tighten the quick release enough, I just gave it a quick push. Halfway down, the whole wheel wobbled and then just popped out. I went over the bars. Has anyone else had a quick release fail like that? How tight is tight enough?

2 comments

2 Comments

foster.drew19h agoMost Upvoted

I used to just snap my quick release shut too. After a similar scare on the local fire road, I learned you need to leave a solid imprint from the lever on your palm when you close it. That's tight enough.

markc8412h ago

That palm imprint trick is a good start. I actually read somewhere you should feel real resistance about halfway through closing the lever, not just at the end. If it flips shut too easy, it's definitely not tight enough.