What’s a quick-release skewer?
Around since the early 20th century, a quick-release bike wheel comprises a hollow axle with a skewer that inserts and slides through it. On the end of one skewer, you will find a head containing a lever that runs a cam, whilst on the other is a threaded adjusting nut. When you close the lever, it pushes the cam against a nut that secures the wheel in place by tightening against the dropout.
Springs are also located at both ends to help centre the skewer in the axle (and to facilitate even release). Whereas once upon a time, a standard bike axle was 130mm wide at the rear, this has increased to 135mm in bikes sporting disc brakes.
Are wheel skewers a one-size-fits-all purchase?
Most standard bike wheel hubs will work with 5mm bike skewers.
