removing tabs on fork

[awbikes]

I frequently remove my front wheel for transport and would like to make the job less of a hassle by removing the little tabs or nubs at the lower end of the fork. I seem to have heard they are unnecessary and are only there to reduce the manufactures liability.  I had several bikes from the 1980-90's that did not have them.

[whittierider]

The tabs are a relatively recent thing.  If you operate the skewer correctly and don't have a disc brake, the wheel will never come out while you're riding.  I file them off, since they defeat the purpose of having a quick-release.

[johnsondasw]

They are nicknamed "lawyer tabs" for a reason.  If you inow how to mount a tire, you don't need em.

[Pat Lamb]

As wr notes, don't mess with them if you've got disk brakes. 

I got frustrated enough to go buy a Dremel with cut-off disks to remove lawyer lips on one bike, although I haven't messed with them on a newer bike.  It's as good an excuse to buy new tools as any, and I've got my money's worth out of the Dremel since then.

[jrswenberger]

They are nicknamed "lawyer tabs" for a reason.  If you inow how to mount a tire, you don't need em.

I perfer "lawyer lips" myself.... 

[BrianW]

I file them off on all my bikes. A Dremel makes it faster, but I usually just use an old-school flat file.

[DaveB]

Some manufactures will refuse to warranty a fork that has had the tabs removed.  Kestrel was very explicit that filing them off would void their warranty.  Other than that (and the disc brake constraint), they serve no useful purpose for riders who know how to use a qr properly. 

Also, I believe there are qr skewers that open wide enough to clear the tabs and that may be another way around them w/o resorting to tools.

[paddleboy17]

I removed from a road fork and was disappointed with the results.  The fork tines were slightly sprung, so even with the nobs filed off,you still had to over loosen  the skewer to get the wheel back on.

When I had my Waterford built up, I requested no lawyer tabs, and they actually built the fork that way! 

[Mag in NH]

Mine were filed off years ago. The only problem is that I can't load it on a roof rack securely. No matter how tightly I batten down the fork, it pulls out of the rack at high speeds.

[waynemyer]

Mine were filed off years ago. The only problem is that I can't load it on a roof rack securely. No matter how tightly I batten down the fork, it pulls out of the rack at high speeds.

I've experienced this too. It's not the linear speed that does it, but rather lateral acceleration. The carrier was so tight that I had to use a rubber mallet to tap the latch closed. Even taking it easy, my friend's Peugeot slipped out of the fork carrier and creased the dropout. Ugh.

[bogiesan]

Mine were filed off years ago. The only problem is that I can't load it on a roof rack securely. No matter how tightly I batten down the fork, it pulls out of the rack at high speeds.

If the bike ends up in the windshield of someone behind you, that will be a new reason to call the Lawyers' Lips. Are you going to get a different rack system, add a hold-down bar, or replace your fork?

[waynemyer]

If the bike ends up in the windshield of someone behind you, that will be a new reason to call the Lawyers' Lips. Are you going to get a different rack system, add a hold-down bar, or replace your fork?

The rear wheel strap would assure that the bike only flails the bejeezus out of the carrying automobile.

[staehpj1]

If the bike ends up in the windshield of someone behind you, that will be a new reason to call the Lawyers' Lips. Are you going to get a different rack system, add a hold-down bar, or replace your fork?

The rear wheel strap would assure that the bike only flails the bejeezus out of the carrying automobile.

+1, but in many years of hauling bikes quite a few of which were made before lawyer lips were used, and some with them filed off, I have never had a problem with a fork coming loose from the rack.

[BrianW]

For Mag in NH: simply turn your rooftop bike mount around so that the front of the bike faces backward. That way there won't be so much air pressure pulling up on the handlebars/fork.

But, I will say that in 25+ years of rooftopping bikes on Yakima racks, most if not all without the Lips, I've never had this problem. I suspect there is something wrong with your bike mount fork holder.

[Mag in NH]

Thanks, briwasson, I might try that. These days, I just use my husband's truck. Much quicker.