Removing your bike’s rear wheel is a common maintenance task. Knowing how to detach bicycle rear wheel efficiently can save you time and frustration, whether you’re changing a flat tire, cleaning your drivetrain, or making adjustments. This guide will walk you through the process, covering different types of rear wheel setups.
Why Remove Your Bike’s Rear Wheel?
There are several key reasons why you might need to perform a bike rear wheel removal:
- Flat Tire Repair: This is the most frequent reason. You’ll need to take the wheel off to access and patch or replace the punctured inner tube.
- Drivetrain Maintenance: Cleaning and lubricating your cassette, chain, and derailleur is much easier with the rear wheel removed.
- Wheel Truing or Spoke Replacement: If your wheel is wobbly or has a broken spoke, you’ll need to take it off the bike to address the issue.
- Brake Pad Replacement: For rim brakes, removing the rear wheel can provide better access to the brake pads.
- Bike Storage or Transport: Detaching wheels can make your bike more compact for storage or easier to fit into a car or bike bag.
Different Rear Wheel Axle Systems
The method for removing your rear wheel depends primarily on the type of axle your bike uses. The two most common systems are:
- Quick Release (QR) Skewers: These are the traditional and most common method. They consist of a lever arm and a nut that threads onto the skewer.
- Thru-Axles: Increasingly found on modern bikes, especially mountain bikes and gravel bikes, thru-axles are solid rods that pass through the frame and fork.
Taking Off a Bike with a Quick Release Rear Wheel
This is typically the easiest type of rear wheel removal. You generally don’t need specialized tools for this, though a bike wheel wrench can be helpful for stubborn nuts.
Step-by-Step Guide for Quick Release Rear Wheel Removal
Here’s how to detach bicycle rear wheel using a quick release skewer:
- Shift to the Smallest Cog: This is a crucial first step for bike rear wheel removal. Shift your rear derailleur to the smallest cog on your cassette (the cog closest to the wheel). This loosens the chain tension, making it much easier to pull the derailleur out of the way.
- Open the Quick Release Lever: Locate the quick release lever on the opposite side of the cassette. It usually has a small cam lever. Flip this lever outwards to open it. You might need to unscrew the nut on the other side a few turns if the wheel is very tight in the dropouts.
- Loosen the Skewer Nut: If the wheel doesn’t immediately loosen, unscrew the nut on the opposite side of the lever a few more turns. You want to loosen it enough so the wheel can drop out of the frame’s dropouts but not so much that the skewer falls out completely.
- Pull the Derailleur Back: With the lever open and the nut loosened, you’ll need to pull the rear derailleur backwards. This moves the derailleur cage out of the way, allowing the cassette to clear the chain. You can do this with your hand.
- Lift the Wheel Out: Once the derailleur is clear, lift the bike slightly or push down on the frame while holding the wheel. The rear wheel should drop out of the dropouts. Be prepared to catch it!
- Remove the Chain (Optional but Recommended for Deep Cleaning): If you’re doing more extensive maintenance, like a full clean of the drivetrain or replacing the cassette, you might want to remove the chain entirely. This often involves a master link (a special link that can be opened with pliers or by hand) or using a chain tool to push out a pin. This step is part of the bicycle chain removal process when dealing with the rear wheel.
Pro Tip: For a smoother removal, place your bike upside down on a soft surface (like grass or a rag) to avoid damaging components. Alternatively, you can have a friend hold the bike upright.
Tools You Might Need for Quick Release
- Your Hands: Most QR wheels can be removed with just your hands.
- Bike Wheel Wrench: While not strictly necessary, a dedicated bike wheel wrench can provide better leverage if the QR nut is very tight.
Taking Off a Bike with a Thru-Axle Rear Wheel
Thru-axle systems provide a more secure and robust connection between the wheel and the frame. The removal process is slightly different.
Step-by-Step Guide for Thru-Axle Rear Wheel Removal
Here’s how to detach bicycle rear wheel when it uses a thru-axle:
- Shift to the Smallest Cog: Similar to quick release, shift your rear derailleur to the smallest cog on the cassette. This loosens the chain.
- Locate the Thru-Axle: The thru-axle is a solid rod that threads into the frame or a nut on the other side. It often has a lever on one end or is designed to be turned with an Allen key (hex wrench).
- Open the Thru-Axle:
- If it has a lever: Flip the lever outwards to loosen it.
- If it requires an Allen key: Use the appropriate size Allen key (usually 5mm or 6mm) to unscrew the thru-axle. Turn it counter-clockwise. Keep track of how many turns it takes to remove it.
- Remove the Thru-Axle: Once loosened sufficiently, the thru-axle should slide out of the frame. You may need to give it a gentle pull.
- Pull the Derailleur Back: As with QR systems, pull the rear derailleur cage backwards to make room for the cassette.
- Lift the Wheel Out: With the thru-axle removed and the derailleur pulled back, lift the wheel out of the dropouts.
- Chain Removal (Optional): Again, if you need to remove the chain for maintenance, this would be the time to do it.
Important Note: Some thru-axle systems might require you to hold a brake lever or press a button to disengage the axle. Always refer to your bike manufacturer’s manual if you’re unsure.
Tools You Might Need for Thru-Axle
- Allen Key (Hex Wrench): The correct size is crucial for unscrewing the thru-axle. This is a common tool in any bike tool kit.
Dealing with the Bicycle Chain During Removal
The bicycle chain removal process, even just temporarily, is important for a clean and easy rear wheel removal.
- Chain Slack: Shifting to the smallest cog is your primary tool for creating chain slack. This is essential.
- Derailleur Tension: The rear derailleur is spring-loaded. Pulling the cage backward uses this spring to give you the necessary clearance.
- Chain Keeper (Optional but Recommended): For more advanced maintenance or when the wheel is completely off, a chain keeper is a very useful tool. It’s a device that replaces the rear wheel and holds the derailleur in place, preventing it from flopping around and potentially getting damaged. It also keeps the chain under tension.
Removing the Rear Wheel Hub (Advanced)
While not part of a standard rear wheel removal for routine maintenance, sometimes you might need to access the bike rear hub removal itself, perhaps for bearing replacement. This is a more complex process and usually requires specialized tools.
Basic Principles of Hub Removal
- Axle Removal: The first step is always to remove the axle from the hub body. This is what we’ve discussed above for QR and thru-axles.
- Lockring Removal: The cassette is held onto the hub by a lockring. This requires a specific cassette lockring tool and usually a chain whip to hold the cassette steady while you unscrew the lockring.
- Cassette Removal: Once the lockring is off, the cassette cogs can be slid off the freehub body.
- Freehub Body Removal: Many modern freehub bodies can be unscrewed or removed with specialized tools, allowing access to the hub bearings.
- Bearing Access: Depending on the hub design, bearings might be pressed into the hub shell and require a bearing press for removal and installation.
Note: Bike rear hub removal is a task best left to experienced mechanics or those with the right tools and knowledge, as improper disassembly can damage the hub.
Putting the Rear Wheel Back On
Reinstalling the rear wheel is essentially the reverse of removal, but with a few key considerations:
- Align the Wheel: Hold the wheel with the cassette facing the bike’s drivetrain. Align the axle with the dropouts on the frame.
- Guide the Chain: Make sure the chain is on the smallest cog. You might need to guide it with your hand or the derailleur.
- Seat the Axle: Push the wheel firmly into the dropouts.
- Secure the Axle:
- For Quick Release: Tighten the QR nut on the opposite side of the lever until it’s snug. Then, close the lever firmly. It should leave a slight imprint on your palm when you push it closed. Too loose and the wheel can fall out; too tight and you can damage the dropouts or make future removal difficult.
- For Thru-Axle: Slide the thru-axle back through the frame and wheel. Screw it in by hand as much as possible, then use your Allen key or lever to tighten it to the manufacturer’s recommended torque. Do not overtighten.
- Check Wheel Spin: Spin the wheel to ensure it rotates freely and doesn’t rub on the frame or brake pads.
- Check Shifting: Shift through all the gears to ensure the derailleur is working correctly and the chain is engaging all the cogs smoothly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Wheel Won’t Come Out:
- Ensure the quick release or thru-axle is fully unscrewed.
- Make sure the derailleur is pulled back sufficiently.
- For QR, sometimes the axle can stick to the frame dropouts. A gentle wiggle or a tap might help.
- Chain Falls Off During Removal/Installation:
- Always shift to the smallest cog first.
- Use a chain keeper if possible.
- Be deliberate and steady when guiding the chain.
- Wheel Wobbles After Installation:
- Ensure the wheel is seated squarely in the dropouts.
- Check that the thru-axle or QR skewer is tightened correctly and evenly.
- If it persists, the wheel may need truing.
- Brake Rubbing:
- Make sure the wheel is centered in the frame.
- For rim brakes, check the alignment of the brake pads.
- For disc brakes, ensure the rotor is not bent and the caliper is aligned correctly.
Essential Tools for Rear Wheel Maintenance
Having the right tools makes any bike maintenance task significantly easier and safer. For rear wheel removal and related tasks, consider having:
| Tool Name | Description | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Keys (Hex Wrenches) | Set of metric sizes (4mm, 5mm, 6mm are most common for axles) | Thru-axle removal, some QR lever bolts |
| Bike Wheel Wrench | A small wrench specifically designed for QR nuts or axle nuts. | Stubborn QR nuts, when hands aren’t enough |
| Chain Tool | Used to break and rejoin a bicycle chain. | Removing the chain entirely |
| Chain Whip | Used to hold the cassette while unscrewing the lockring. | Cassette removal (advanced) |
| Cassette Lockring Tool | Specific tool that fits over the cassette lockring. | Cassette removal (advanced) |
| Chain Keeper | Holds the derailleur and chain in place when the rear wheel is removed. | Drivetrain cleaning, wheel removal/installation |
| Torque Wrench | For precise tightening of thru-axles and other components to manufacturer specs. | Ensuring proper thru-axle tightness |
| Gloves | Keep your hands clean and provide a better grip. | All steps, especially when dealing with grease. |
| Rags/Microfiber Cloths | For cleaning parts and wiping up excess grease or dirt. | All steps |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I remove my bike’s rear wheel without a bike stand?
A: Yes, you can. You can turn the bike upside down or have a friend hold it upright. However, a bike stand makes the process much easier and allows for more comfortable working.
Q: How tight should a quick release skewer be?
A: A properly tightened quick release lever should feel firm to close, requiring a bit of pressure. It should leave a slight imprint on your palm. You should not be able to open it easily with your thumb. Too loose, and the wheel can fall out; too tight, and you risk damaging the frame or components.
Q: Do I need to remove the chain to take off my rear wheel?
A: No, you don’t always need to remove the chain. You just need to pull the derailleur back to create space for the cassette. However, if you plan on cleaning the cassette and chain thoroughly, removing the chain makes it much easier.
Q: My rear wheel is stuck. What should I do?
A: First, ensure you have loosened the quick release or thru-axle completely. If it’s a QR, the axle might be sticking to the frame dropouts; try wiggling the wheel gently. For thru-axles, ensure it’s fully unscrewed. If it’s still stuck, a very small amount of penetrating oil applied to the dropout area might help, but use it sparingly.
Q: What is a thru axle vs. a quick release?
A: A quick release (QR) uses a skewer with a lever that clamps the wheel into the dropouts. A thru-axle is a solid rod that passes through the frame and wheel, offering a more secure and often stiffer connection.
By following these steps and using the right tools, you can confidently perform rear wheel removal on your bike. This skill is fundamental to basic bike maintenance and will empower you to keep your ride in top condition.