You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / QR vs Maxle (20mm axle)
QR vs Maxle (20mm axle)
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi all, I am upgrading my fork and looking at a RockShox Revelation. The fork has the option of QR or Maxle (20mm) axle configuration. My current fork and wheel are a QR setup and I am wondering whether the extra performance of the Maxle is worth the cost of a new wheel. Anyone out there got any thoughts on the performance of 15mm or 20mm axles vs QR?
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Tags
QR15 are stiffer than a standard QR and don't weight much more. Sadly this seems like it's not an option though - do you have any other candidates that are available in QR15?
QR20 should be stiffer still, but start to get a bit heavy.
I think the consensus is that stiffer forks are worth the effort to find if you ride technical terrain. If you only ride firetrail or smooth single tracks perhaps it's not a factor to consider.
Side note: if you want the ultimate stiffness to weight ratio go with a Lefty!
So basically - you say your current setup is standard QR: do you find it floppy at all? Do you ride much technical terrain? If the answers are 'No', then don't worry about it and get the standard QR as the weight of the Maxle would be a bit of a downer. Plus, you wouldn't need to change your front hub (or do you have a convertible model like the Hope Pro2?).
If you do find the QR floppy or ride a lot of tech. then go with the Maxel, or shop around for a QR15 model.
Thanks for the reply Rob. Does the QR15 format still require a hub/wheel upgrade?
Yeah the qr15 will need a wheel upgrade.
The main advantages of the through axle is they stiffen up the torsional flex of longer travel forks
I'm not 100% convinced the qr15 make a noticeable different to the stiffness of a shorter travel fork but you they are slightly lighter then the standard cup and cone axle/qr set up
invest in some hubs that take multiple axles - Hope Pro 2 or similar and at least you won't have to go through the whole process again next time you update a fork.
For what it's worth, I have a Maxle fork and a short travel QR15 fork and both systems work well. Can't tell much difference on the same trail between them in terms of flex.
I think Rockshox also have a new fork coming out soon that has QR15, 20mm and QR from memory (although the QR might be made up by me).
I always had QR forks but my current bike has a bolt through 20mm axle. The benefits are amazing. The front end feels really solid and gives you the confidence to push through corners much harder. The weight means nothing because your breakfast weights more than the difference. (side note I don't care much for weight)
I firmly believe that 20mm is well worth the upgrade based on performance alone. You will find the big difference is your ability to recover when you come off or over something a bit dodgy. A firm front end will hold strong as you correct rather than flexing and encouraging the front wheel to shag itself. You only have to save your face and bike from one crash to make up for the expense. If you want to make up for the weight, stop wearing socks when you ride.
What about if I wear titanium socks?
So HeezaGeeza, would you say that the QR15 and 20mm are better than standard QR?
Also, do through axle forks work with fork mounted roof racks?
People seem to be missing the point that Throu axles systems are lighter not heavier....
And yeah they'll work on the roof rack but you will need an adapter
I've got QR Fox 32's set at 130 on my Rush and along a rough trail I get less longditudinal flex (front to back) than compared to my Marz 66SL's at 170mm that run a 20mm though bolt clamp.
The biggest difference I found was the side flex, like getting out of the saddle and getting into it up a hill, the side flex of the QR fork is quite noticable compared to the mega rigid 20mm through.
I also noticed the torsional stiffness is noticable too.
Personal opinon - go Maxle if you can justify the cost... Roskshox maxle lite (on the revelations) is 2/10th's of bugger all heavier than QR15 and stiffer. The maxle light is just as quick and easy to remove as QR15. As for QR, the one on my bike feels like wet noodles (fox 32 100mm) compared to a 20mm and I would always take either 20mm or 15mm over QR on any bike.
Thanks all. Now I just need to find a well priced front only, 20mm compatible wheel...
Or just buy a Hope Pro2 hub (as mentioned above), they are cheap as hell from OS. Just bought one for $76 I think it was. Then get it laced into your rim.
a mate just drilled out his & used the 15mm axle to hold the fork on the same way
For the sake of a few extra grams the precise tracking is well worth it. I'm not a racer mind you but even then I think I'd go QR15 or 20mm now.
would convert my Trance in a heartbeat but for me it would be cheaper to get a new bike ,mmm that would be nice wouldn't it , if only I could ride the one I had , lol. At least I can drive a car again , bike riding is getting closer each week .