Wheel Skewer verses Bolt

[junction37]

From across pond.
I will be buying Phil Wood hubs for my solo for use on touring and commuting.  I have to choose if I want quick release for a Wheel Skewer, or Axle Bolt fastening.   The axle bolts are allen key/hexagon key drive bolts and if ordered are supplied by Phil Wood, they do not supply wheel skewers.  Is there any particular reason for choosing a Skewer rather than a Bolt or a Bolt rather than a Skewer.
Thanks.

[pmac]

I have a mountain bike with QR rather than bolt-on axles, instead of skewers.  From a touring point of view, you won't be able to use a trailers like a BOB, which uses a replacement skewer to attach the trailer to the bike if you go with the axles.  But that may not be an issue from you if you use panniers.  There are a couple of seatpost mounted trailers which avoid that issue, but they are not nearly as common.  I think using a QR skewer would also be alot easier if you get a flat.     

[John Nelson]

Some people use the bolt if they're afraid of wheel theft. But wheel theft isn't that common.

[johnsondasw]

Some people use the bolt if they're afraid of wheel theft. But wheel theft isn't that common.

Especially rear wheel theft.  I always run my lock throught the wheels, too.  Rear wheels are enough of a pain even when  you're not trying to furtively rip one off!  I often remove the front wheel when locking up and lock it with the chain next to the bike, then run the helmet strap through the rear wheel/frame.  Try to make it a major pain to steal the bike and or wheels.

[DaveB]

From a wheel security standpoint (fastening the wheels to the dropouts, not theft prevention) good, properly designed internal cam qr skewers such as Shimano and Campy versions are actually more secure than nutted axles.  Tightened properly they cannot loosen spontaneously. 

[PeteJack]

Tightened properly they cannot loosen spontaneously. 

Never thought of that. Has anyone heard of nuts, e.g. the oddball anti-theft types, coming undone? I'd guess the left one would tend to loosen if this happens at all.

[waynemyer]

Has anyone heard of nuts, e.g. the oddball anti-theft types, coming undone? I'd guess the left one would tend to loosen if this happens at all.

I had a set of OnGuard "locking" skewers. The front "nut" would work loose quite regularly, despite reefing down on the key with a length of pipe. Other security skewers have not given me any issue.

[PeteJack]

The front "nut" would work loose quite regularly

Another thing I hadn't thought of. This is probably why having the skewer locking mechanism on the LH side matters. (It's easy to get it wrong on the front wheel) I never realized there was a sound practical reason for what I thought was just a convention. Gawd, is there no limit to the things I haven't thought of?

[adventurepdx]

But wheel theft isn't that common.

Well, touring through rural areas, yes. But in cities, it is more common. I regularly pass by bicycles locked up here in Portland with front/rear/both wheels missing. Of course, many of those bikes were only frame-locked and may have sat overnight. But I do know some folks who have gotten a front wheel yanked when they left a bike locked for only a few hours. So it's a good idea to lock wheels and frame in an urban area. For that reason my bikes either have skewers or bolt-on wheels.

And Portland has gotten to the point where thieves are starting to prey on Brooks saddles as well.

[bpeschka]

I have a mountain bike with QR rather than bolt-on axles, instead of skewers.  From a touring point of view, you won't be able to use a trailers like a BOB, which uses a replacement skewer to attach the trailer to the bike if youe go with the axles.  But that may not be an issue from you if you use panniers.  There are a couple of seatpost mounted trailers which avoid that issue, but they are not nearly as common.  I think using a QR skewer would also be alot easier if you get a flat.   

BOBGesr sells replacement nuts for threaded axles to accommodate the Yak and Ibex trailers.  Look for Bob Nutz

[pmac]

BOBGesr sells replacement nuts for threaded axles to accommodate the Yak and Ibex trailers.  Look for Bob Nutz
[/quote]

That would be nice if it was the case.  My mtn bike, and apparently an increasing number of other mtn bikes, use a 12mm thru axle, which is not compatible with Bob Nutz.  I spent a fair amount of time talking with the Bob folks to confirm that.  However, I recently purchased a farfarer seatpost mounted trailer that works around that issue. 

[jcscycles]

There is a product called "axle release" that will give you quick release capability with a solid threaded axle. It comes in models machined for either 3/8"x26t, 3/8"x24t, or M10x1.0 axles. We have used them on our own bicycles, and they work just fine. A solid axle is a better bet for loaded touring or trailer use, especially off-road.