Broke my front axle, MTB

ZeeExSixAre

After doing some jumps and downhill on my Deore-equipped front wheel, I
undid my quick-release to find the locknut pop out. Hmm... loose
cone/locknut? Nope, broken axle. At the shop the next day, the head
mechanic mentioned that if adjusted too loose, axles can break this way. Is
this true and what's its validity?

Shimano Deore, 9mmx1mm front axle, 110mm.

Pictures to follow in the near future.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

S. Anderson

"ZeeExSixAre" <phil_leeIHEARTBASHGUARDS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:6TYlc.1916$28.1267@fe07.usenetserver.com...
> After doing some jumps and downhill on my Deore-equipped front wheel, I
> undid my quick-release to find the locknut pop out. Hmm... loose
> cone/locknut? Nope, broken axle. At the shop the next day, the head
> mechanic mentioned that if adjusted too loose, axles can break this way.
Is
> this true and what's its validity?

Dunno. I have never seen a broken front axle. Ever..in 10 years working in
a shop. Nice work!

Cheers,

Scott..

Kinky Cowboy

On Tue, 4 May 2004 23:09:25 -0400, "ZeeExSixAre"
<phil_leeIHEARTBASHGUARDS@hotmail.com> wrote:

>After doing some jumps and downhill on my Deore-equipped front wheel, I
>undid my quick-release to find the locknut pop out. Hmm... loose
>cone/locknut? Nope, broken axle. At the shop the next day, the head
>mechanic mentioned that if adjusted too loose, axles can break this way. Is
>this true and what's its validity?
>
>Shimano Deore, 9mmx1mm front axle, 110mm.
>
>Pictures to follow in the near future.


Er, Deore is not a jump/DH hub. Get a 20mm through axle, or at least a
hub with a much fatter axle than Deore, which is 9mm all the way
through. Chris King are supposed to be nice...


Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

S o r n i

Kinky Cowboy wrote:
>
> Er, Deore is not a jump/DH hub. Get a 20mm through axle, or at least a
> hub with a much fatter axle than Deore, which is 9mm all the way
> through. Chris King are supposed to be nice...

Hmmm. From Deore to CK. Isn't that sort of like trading in a Ford Focus on
a new GT?

Bill "substitute GM/Chrysler products as will" S.

Kinky Cowboy

On Wed, 05 May 2004 18:07:20 GMT, " S o r n i"
<sorni@bite-me.san.rr.com> wrote:

>Kinky Cowboy wrote:
>>
>> Er, Deore is not a jump/DH hub. Get a 20mm through axle, or at least a
>> hub with a much fatter axle than Deore, which is 9mm all the way
>> through. Chris King are supposed to be nice...
>
>Hmmm. From Deore to CK. Isn't that sort of like trading in a Ford Focus on
>a new GT?
>
>Bill "substitute GM/Chrysler products as will" S.
>


I was being lighthearted. There are plenty of reasonably priced front
hubs out there with thick axles, none as cheap as Deore but if you
start breaking stuff, it's time to upgrade. I'd suggest a Hope Bulb
hub, just because it's easy to swap from QR to 20mm, allowing for a
subsequent fork upgrade.


Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

Calvin Jones

Consider also the possiblity that the front dropouts are not aligned.
This can stress the axle, and it will eventually break. Every time
the wheel is removed and re-clamped, the axle will flex to meet the
face of the miss-aligned dropouts. Use dropout alignment tools to
check. Most suspension forks should not be bent to correct, but it is
still worth checking. An oversized axle will help.

See also http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FFG.shtml for more on
dropout alignment.

ZeeExSixAre

Calvin Jones wrote:
> Consider also the possiblity that the front dropouts are not aligned.
> This can stress the axle, and it will eventually break. Every time
> the wheel is removed and re-clamped, the axle will flex to meet the
> face of the miss-aligned dropouts. Use dropout alignment tools to
> check. Most suspension forks should not be bent to correct, but it is
> still worth checking. An oversized axle will help.
>
> See also http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FFG.shtml for more on
> dropout alignment.


You are very likely correct. I used this hub on a crooked fork that had
cracked lowers (Manitou Skareb Comp 03). I rode it cracked/crooked for
about 6 months before I found the tiny crack itself and replaced the lowers.
The current lowers (and the ones I broke the axle on) were the revamped
lowers that Manitou did for 04.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training