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I've bought a frameset which takes a 100mm x 15mm front hub and a 135mm quick release rear hub.
A quick look for wheels shows quite a selection! I've not even seen a 15mm thru axle, so I'm wondering if it's possible to convert a wheel or frame/fork to fit. For example, if I came across a front wheel with a standard quick release, would it be possible to fit that to the 15mm fork, and if so, is this a standard conversion, or would I need to buy an adapter from the frame or hub manufacturer (assuming one is available)?
I suppose what I'm really wondering is if I need to find wheels which will fit my frame and forks without any adaptation, or if it's possible (without too much bother and expense) to use a different spec of wheel...
You can’t find a 15mm axle front hub?
I'm looking at built up wheelsets. For example, they might have QR front and rear wheels, or a 15mm front but with a 142mm wide rear hub.
can’t you buy front and rear separately?
if not obviously so, I’d email whoever makes them and ask if they could do it
Possibly! It's just that there are some discounted wheelsets which seem like good value - other than the fact that one or more of the wheels don't fit my bike! Actually, I'm just starting to look, and might end up getting a pair built to spec, but I'm wondering what options there are to adapt hubs to frames.
It is the hubs that are made adaptable. Typically sealed bearing hubs (Hope, Dt Swiss, CK, Hale, Superstar, Mavic among others) will accept adaptors both front and rear to suit different size. Normally front hubs will be adaptable for QR, 15mm and sometimes 20mm. On the rear typical options are 135QR, 135x12mm and 142x12mm. Cup and cone hubs (Shimano) are less adaptable, normally only being suitable for one standard. Boost hubs (110x15 F, 148x12mm rear) are not normally adaptable to non-boost and vice versa.
Post the wheel sets your looking at and it should be easy to tell you if they can be adapted.
Nicer hubs (hope, dt etc) tend to have swappable end caps to deal with qr/15mm/20mm. Some you can swap the axles out of for widths etc, and there are adapters for boost. Nothing to change frames to fit wheels though
have a look at the prime wheels on crc they come as qr. with adaptors available
also the chosen hub wheels on merlin
For example, if I came across a front wheel with a standard quick release, would it be possible to fit that to the 15mm fork, and if so, is this a standard conversion, or would I need to buy an adapter from the frame or hub manufacturer (assuming one is available)?
Answering this specifically - well, it depends on the hub (mention the make/model on here and someone will know) - as has been said, some come with 9mm (Standard QR) end caps, which can be removed to fit a 15mm axle. You'd have to check before buying.
Here's an example of a hub you can convert -
http://www.halowheels.com/product/mt-front-hub-2/
Pic shows it with the 9mm QR adapter in.
But there are many hubs which are 9mm only and don't have adapters.
Thanks very much - that's helpful! I'll check hub compatibility once I've narrowed my selection down to particular wheels.