New Jersey bans the sale of Quick Release wheels

andwags · Post by **andwags** » 15 Jun 2007, 11:55am

The latest from the states is that New Jersey state has passed a bill that bans the sale of bikes that have quick release wheels.

I'm guessing that somebody figured out it was too complicated for the average American.

I'm sure that there time would have been better spent making sure that only knowledgable people sell the bikes and not some kid or old guy at Walmart.

Hopefully, this sort of ridiculous legislation doesn't come our way.

pigman · Post by **pigman** » 15 Jun 2007, 1:06pm

yeah, I heard this one somewhere too. The reason was that stores feel that they may be sued where the quick release wasn't done up correctly, not just at the point of sale, but also where the customer has later removed and replaced the wheel.
As a by-the-way, I am still amazed at how many inexperienced cyclists dont use the QR as a lever-with-cam action, but as a wing nut and somehow hope that this is sufficient.

Andwags, everything from the USA eventually comes here, so be prepared!

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 15 Jun 2007, 3:05pm

If the US bans the sale of Q/R wheels, at leat they won't need those silly lugs, lips, whatever on the front dropouts, to stop the wheel coming out until the Q/R has been unscrewed, making it pointless. When this all started I suggested that the UCI compel all American riders to race with frames equipped like that. :lol:

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 15 Jun 2007, 3:12pm

I thought QRs were designed to put much more locking leverage onto a drop out than track nuts? Next we'll have safety nuts and a return to the factory for puncture repair.
Has nobody thought of a counter claim that wheelnuts need a spanner that turns clockwise to tighten? Mine doesn't have an arrow. And it may be left handed.

andwags · Post by **andwags** » 15 Jun 2007, 4:14pm

Track nuts do have more grab. The QR was created to allow quick wheel changes / removal during races. Personally, I like allen key skewers to prevent the casual thief from stealing my wheels easily, but it still irritates me that people are allowed to make laws without knowing the facts.

treejamie · Post by **treejamie** » 15 Jun 2007, 7:43pm

i had some 5 sided allan skewers which were great security until i missplaced the key and had to buy a new set to change a puncture. I promptly found teh key a week later

Jamie

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 15 Jun 2007, 9:27pm

This has been discussed on the US www.bentrideronline.com

There is a link to the actaual document:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills ... 686_R1.PDF
THe relevant bit is:

It shall be an unlawful practice for any person to sell a bicycle with a wheel diameter of 20 inches or less, which is equipped with a quick release wheel.

There is much discussion whether something like the "Pitlock" or other skewers requiring a key / tool are in fact quick release.

crazyace · Post by **crazyace** » 16 Jun 2007, 1:44pm

I think you will find in this country that most childrens bike are sold with wheels that have track nuts now and without any legislation. My grandsons Decathlon which is a racing styled bicycle with 24 inch wheels has them.

gerry36 · Post by **gerry36** » 16 Jun 2007, 8:19pm

Trouble is, they seem to think "small wheels" is synonymous with "child's bike", which it isn't.

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 16 Jun 2007, 9:28pm

That is part of the problem. The original draft appears to have included "..........intended for use by children" but this was removed.

hamster · Post by **hamster** » 20 Jun 2007, 12:34pm

Amusing that QR's are dangerous but handguns aren't....I must remember to try to threaten someone with a QR next time I want their money :twisted:

hubgearfreak · Post by **hubgearfreak** » 20 Jun 2007, 3:02pm

hamster wrote:Amusing that QR's are dangerous but handguns aren't....I must remember to try to threaten someone with a QR next time I want their money

montmorency · Post by **montmorency** » 20 Jun 2007, 3:47pm

treejamie wrote:i had some 5 sided allan skewers which were great security until i missplaced the key and had to buy a new set to change a puncture. I promptly found teh key a week later

Jamie

I have been told that given a 7mm Allen key and about an hour's filing, one can make a replacement key.

Not done this myself you understand...

Regards,
M.

andwags · Post by **andwags** » 20 Jun 2007, 4:03pm

montmorency wrote:
treejamie wrote:i had some 5 sided allan skewers which were great security until i missplaced the key and had to buy a new set to change a puncture. I promptly found teh key a week later

Jamie

I have been told that given a 7mm Allen key and about an hour's filing, one can make a replacement key.

Not done this myself you understand...

Regards,
M.

You don't need all that hard work. Just a pair of vice grips and the wheel is undone in seconds. We had to do this many times in the workshop for people who forgot to bring in their special allen keys.

montmorency · Post by **montmorency** » 21 Jun 2007, 3:35pm

Do you mean the vice grips of a bench vice, or something like a mole wrench?

If the latter, then they can't be all that thief-proof, can they?

If the former, then you still need to make or acquire something to carry around, in case of punctures.

Regards,
M.