This article will guide you through how to install the front wheel on your new bike. Your front wheel can be attached to the bike in different ways, we will cover the most commonly found attachment types in this article.

Before starting the front wheel installation make sure to spin your forks so the stem is facing forward. Before you install your wheel, check the plastic packaging protectors that came on the wheels to see if the hub spacers didn’t get caught on the packaging.

NUTTED WHEELS

For nutted front wheel installation, you will need the provided 15mm spanner from your small parts box. You will need to release the brakes to provide clearance for the tire to insert fully into the forks. There are two main styles of rim brakes, v-brakes and calliper brakes.

For v-brakes, all you need to do is squeeze the arms together and remove the brake noodle from the housing. For calliper brakes, simply turn the quick release cam to open up the brakes.

Now you can install the wheel into the fork dropouts, and evenly tighten the nuts. Make sure to make it tight, the approximate torque spec on these nuts should be somewhere between 8-12Nm.

Lastly, don’t forget to reattach the brakes or turn the quick release cam back to the closed position, and double-check the action of the brakes before you go out on a ride.

QUICK RELEASE

To install your quick-release axle you will need the provided axle from your small parts box. Again, if your bike comes with rim brakes, you will need to release the brakes to provide clearance for the tire to insert fully into the forks.

For v-brakes, all you need to do is squeeze the arms together and remove the brake noodle from the housing. For calliper brakes, simply turn the quick release cam to open up the brakes.

For Disc brakes, all that is required is to remove the plastic spacer from the calliper and be careful not to squeeze the brakes while the wheel’s not installed, as this will close the pistons. However, if this does occur simply use a clean tire lever or flat head screwdriver to spread the pads back.

Now, get the quick release from the small parts box and remove the nut and one spring from the axle. Insert the skewer with the quick release lever on the left-hand side of the wheel, this will be the side with the disc brake rotor if your bike comes with disc brakes. Then, reinstall the spring with the small end first and screw on the nut roughly two turns.

Now you can install the wheel into the fork dropouts, ensuring the brake rotor goes easily into the calliper on disc brake bikes. Then tighten the nut, continually checking the tension of the quick release lever.

Once you feel resistance at roughly half way you can close the lever. It should leave an imprint on your palm. Once fully closed, it is best to have the lever pointing up or facing backwards, and not contacting any part of the frame.

Lastly, if your bike has rim brakes don’t forget to reattach the brakes or turn the quick release cam back to the closed position, and double-check the action of the brakes before you go out on a big ride.

THROUGH AXLE

Many of our bikes will come equipped with a front through axle. Some higher end suspension forks will also have a 6mm pinch bolt on the drive side dropout, which is there to ensure the axle is properly secured in place when subject to extreme riding conditions. Make sure to check if your fork has that pinch bolt and loosen it prior to the wheel installation. 

After loosening the pinch bolt on the forks’ drive side dropout and unscrewing the through axle, install the wheel into the forks taking special care with the rotor alignment - it should fit easily into the brake calliper.

Slide the axle through the dropouts and hub and torque it to 9-11Nm - check manufacturer’s specifications for your particular model. At this point it is recommended to compress the forks a couple of times to ensure the lower leg has settled into its low-friction point, then (in case your fork has the pinch bolt) tighten the pinch bolt to 5Nm. 

SUNTOUR Q-LOC AXLE

Some of our Suntour fork equipped bikes will come with a particular through axle called “Q-LOC”, and it’s installation differs from other standard axles.

To remove the “Suntour Q-LOC” firstly open the lever located on the drive-side, push and turn the non-drive side knob clockwise, this will free the axle from the forks.

Install the wheel into the forks taking special care with the rotor alignment. With the axle lever open, push and turn the non-drive side knob anti-clockwise, slide the “Q-LOC” axle through the dropouts and hub until we see the red expanding plug coming out the dropouts.

We can now adjust tension if necessary by turning the non-drive side knob so we feel resistance about half way when closing the quick-release mechanism.

With the information provided in this article you should now be able to install your front wheel with ease. Feel free to contact us in case you have any questions or concerns and happy riding!

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