Repair guides › Wheels & Tires
Remove and refit a wheel
The rim, spokes and nipples that hold the hub in the middle. Most adult bikes have double-wall alloy rims. Spokes are under tension; each pulls the rim toward its side of the hub. Turning a nipple changes tension and moves that part of the rim sideways (true) or up/down (round). Internal rim width sets which tire widths fit well.
Open this job in RideLoadout▶ Watch it done
Steps
- Rear wheel: shift to the smallest rear cog first. The chain is slack there, so the wheel comes out easily.
- Rim brakes: open the brake first (on a V-brake, pull the curved noodle out of its holder) so the tire fits past the pads. Disc brakes: nothing to open, but don’t squeeze the lever while the wheel is out, or the pads close up.
- Open the axle: flip the quick-release lever fully open (the front may need a few turns of the nut to clear the tabs). Thru-axle: unscrew it and pull it out. Bolt-on: loosen both axle nuts with a 15 mm wrench.
- Front: lift the bike and the wheel drops out. Rear: pull the derailleur back with your fingers and let the wheel drop forward and down, lifting the chain off the cog.
- Lay the wheel down with the rotor facing up so it can’t bend, and don’t touch the rotor or pads with greasy fingers.
- Refit the rear: hold the derailleur back, set the smallest cog into the upper loop of the chain, guide the rotor between the pads, then pull the wheel up and back until the axle sits all the way in the dropouts.
- Refit the front: guide the rotor between the pads and seat the axle all the way in the dropouts. Setting the bike down on the wheel helps it seat straight.
- Close it: quick-release firm enough to leave a mark on your palm, thru-axle to the torque marked on it, axle nuts about 30 Nm.
- Rim brakes: close the brake again. Then spin the wheel: centered, no rub, and squeeze the brake hard before you ride.
Torque
| Fastener | Torque |
|---|---|
| Quick release | firm: leaves a mark on your palm |
| Thru-axle | as marked (often 10–15 Nm) |
| Axle nuts (bolt-on) | about 30 Nm |
Diagram
Seen from behind the bikeWheel axle and dropouts
Signs it needs doing
- Wobble you can see at the brake/frame
- Ping from loose or broken spoke
- Rim rubs the frame