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I have just noticed that when the front wheel is positioned in the fork dropouts, the through axle hole on the frame doesn't align with the wheel; it is around 3mm off. I have to lift the wheel a bit to fit the thru axle through the fork a nd the wheel. This means the wheel isn't totally resting on the fork dropout.
Haven't come across this before - anyone else come across something similar?
Rockshox fork? Assume you don’t have torque caps on your hubs?
Don’t worry about it.
Ok thanks.
Yes it is a rockshox fork.
Don't think there are torque caps on the hubs
Sounds like the torque cap thing. When I last bought a front hub I bought one with torque caps (Bitex - only about £50) on it and it is a nicer solution / easier to get the through axle in. No idea whether it’s really a meaningful improvement in terms of stifness. Will find out when my new Pro5 hub arrives and I get it built up - forgot about the torque cap thing.
As others said, it's mildly irritating that the wheel doesn't just drop in, but the torque caps are optional. You can add them if you want.
These little fellas solve the issue neatly.
https://r2-bike.com/NEWMEN-TC-Adapter-for-Forks-with-Torque-Cap-Drop-Out
Thanks for the replies.
I initially thought it may be some kind of manufacturing defect with the fork!
initially thought it may be some kind of manufacturing defect with the fork!
I'll bet that caused a bit of consternation 😆
But on a safety note, which may or may not be relevant, or a problem. Because the interfaces of the hubs are unsupported, the entire weight of the bike and rider rests solely and completely on the axle.
I'm not saying the axle can or will shear off, sending you on a headlong voyage of discovery 😯 but it is less supported than a hub that sits tight against the step in the drop out of normal forks. I must say I have had a touch of concern when I noticed this myself.
"regular" (aka old fashioned 😉 ) QR wheels/dropouts never had this inner shoulder; it's purely there to make it easier to align the wheel before you insert the axle. I wouldn't sweat it in any way at all; the axle clamps the forks against the hub; it's the clamping that provides the support really
I also don't think the dropout shoulders support the hub in any real way, I've had forks that required a little jiggle of the wheel to get the axle sliding in cleanly which suggests I could probably get a piece of thin paper between the dropout shoulder and the endcap, they're probably just to make lining up easier, otherwise there would possibly be slight signs of wear on the endcaps.
the entire weight of the bike and rider rests solely and completely on the axle.
much like the weight of any load placed on a wheel, like, ever, rests solely and completely on the axle. It’s a non-issue.