Skewers

Skewer and Axle Guide

Skewers clamp your wheels into the frame and fork. The correct axle standard is non-negotiable — the wrong size simply won't fit. Modern MTBs use thru-axles almost universally, but quick-release skewers are still found on older and budget bikes.

Quick Release (QR)

QR skewers use a 5mm (front) or 5mm (rear) rod with a cam lever that tensions against the dropout. Standard spacing: 100mm front, 135mm rear. QR is lighter and faster to use but significantly less stiff than thru-axles. If your bike uses QR, you're limited to QR-compatible hubs — there's no adapter to convert QR dropouts to thru-axle.

Thru-Axles

Thru-axles thread directly into the fork or frame dropout, creating a rigid connection between hub and frame. Standard MTB sizes: 15x100mm and 15x110mm (Boost) front, 12x142mm and 12x148mm (Boost) rear. DH bikes may use 20x110mm front. The axle diameter and hub spacing must match your frame — a 148mm rear hub won't fit a 142mm frame. Thread pitch also varies by frame brand — carry the correct axle for your specific frame.

Buying Replacement Skewers

QR skewers are universal within their spacing — any 100mm QR fits any 100mm QR fork. Thru-axles are more frame-specific due to thread pitch, length, and lever design. RockShox Maxle and Fox Kabolt are fork-specific. Rear thru-axles vary by frame manufacturer. Aftermarket options from Robert Axle Project and Wolf Tooth cover most frames and offer lighter weight or different lever styles. If you've lost your thru-axle, the frame manufacturer's replacement is the safe bet. Aftermarket options work if you can confirm the thread spec.