To install front wheel on bike that has disc brakes, you might face a few tricky spots that feel hard to handle. To be fair, compared to the rear wheel, getting front one back to frame is easier. So, if you have a slight idea about that, it’s not going to take too much effort. Well, even if you don’t have the idea, you’ll be able to manage.
Let me guide you through the steps on how to install front wheel on bike with disc brakes mechanism.
What We Will Cover
Tools That You’ll Need to Install Front Wheel on Bike.
Before you find out how to put front wheel on bike with disc brakes, plan for gathering a few supplies. Enough rag and paper towels are necessary to have as there would be oil and grease with the chain and mechs. Don’t forget to get a pair of latex gloves as well.
Also, make sure you have enough idea of the front wheel’s parts. Otherwise ending up being confused about where the bicycle front wheel nuts are located or how it shall fit the frame and a number of other confusions will make things hard.
Apart from installing wheel with disc brakes, consider checking if there’s anything necessary to do beforehand. To Maybe Upkeep Things Better? You might want to get a few things additionally for maintenance.
If the tire seems out of pressure, you’ll need some tool help. Grabbing the best air compressor for tubeless bike can help. Don’t forget to install the best tubeless valve stem if it makes noise. I have a few more tips coming into my mind, but let’s not go there today. Moving on to the actual process.
For Quick Release Version.
The quick-release mechanism should be in an open position. Yap, I’ll first cover how to install a quick-release bike wheel and then cover the non-version.
From the rider’s point of view, you can find the skewer included dropouts on left side. And you need to put the front wheel between these.
Next, you need to have the quick release closed in right position. Look for the front lever and turn it. As well as adjusting nut. As the lever gets tighter, it should be in fork’s front. You can try repositioning the lever to make it completely close. Another important segment to put front wheel on bike with quick release is making sure the correct tightness.
To get the front wheel installation right, at this point you should start rotating the lever only halfway. Do this through the swing. And this shall make it go from completely open to entirely closed.
Now firmly grip the lever. And then start tightening the adjusting nut of quick release in a clockwise direction. You should go like this until it’s pretty snug. And there’s enough tightness to work against any dropout.
Try to shift the lever back and forth through a swing. If it does give a snug feel halfway through swing and goes entirely tight at a fully closed position against the frame, then congrats!
Check on the bake alignment next. It should not be rubbing and hold proper centering. You can spin the tire to confirm things.
For Non-Quick-release Version
Now for installing the front wheel with disc brakes mechanism not having quick release can also be a situation. In that case, what you should be doing is basically the theme of this segment.
Keep in mind that the tires in non-quick release setups are usually secured through-axle nuts on the frame. You should find a separate washer or washer built-in here.
With knurling or teeth, it should be facing towards dropout. Make sure to go through those axle threads using a lubricating oil or grease. The chain lubricant for mountain bikes can also be used or any grease that works with automobile parts.
You start the process quite similarly to the quick-release included way. However, the wheels including axle nut, washers should be going on the outside of dropouts. You need to completely tighten the axle nuts here. Make sure to center the wheel before that though.
A Few Notes on Fork.
When you get the tires out of the bike, one common mistake that you must avoid is plopping fork on the pavement. As that would keep it steady and they can continue with the bike wheel installation. However, this is nothing but a terrible idea.
The front dropout, also known as the fork tips are usually constructed with aluminum or carbon. And so, these are pretty delicate. Getting them to bend or even end up breaking from too harmful bumping motion is a very possible scene. And that, my friend, can take your wish to install a bike tire go on a completely different road, the worst one actually.
If you must make the bike stand up, hold the fork and very gently go for the ground. To me, holding the bike and then reaching for another wheel sounds better than putting it entirely down
Another thing about bike front wheel is that only tricky part of its installation is ensuring the thing is entirely into fork. And then comes confirming proper tightening of the wheel as well as quick releases.
Also, the matter of wheel centering in the fork, never sidestep that! Your entire front tire installation success also depends on this. Anything crooked in the frame or even the partial insertion into dropouts is not welcome here.
Since It’s Also About Disc Brakes.
To install front tire on bike with disc brakes, your attention should also be on the quick release bike skewers usage. Because when you install a wheel with disc brakes, it is usually mounted on a fork.
And so, there’s some loading going over the rotor. The part that stays attached to hub. If there’s a chance of outward load then the axle might go out of dropout.
And that happens because of the hub axle-bearing load that pushes it. So, when you install wheel with disc brakes, making sure the skewer is secure completely would be mandatory.
Mountain Bikes – Installing Your Front Wheel
Wrapping Up
And on that note, I would stop it here. You should have quite a bit of idea now on how to install front wheel on bike with disc brakes and things that need extra attention here. Go ahead and give it a try!
Of course, if there’s something you still are not sure about, it’s best to just ask someone for help. Having an expert doing it for you would also ensure there’s no damage done to any of the tire or brake parts. So, It’s Not a Bad Idea at All!