Front wheel installation for bicycles

Link to tech document: generic-bicycle-front-wheel-assembly-rev2

For “Bolt-On” type front wheels:

1. Disconnect the front linear pull brake by detaching the brake noodle (curved metal tube) from the right side caliper as shown. On bicycles with disc brakes, no disconnection is necessary.
2. Check the wheel hub before attaching it to the fork by rotating the threaded axle. It should be smooth with no lateral movement.
3. Insert the front wheel into the dropouts being sure to hook the safety washers into the small holes above the dropouts.
4. Center the wheel in the fork and tighten the wheel nuts using an appropriate sized wrench. 
5. Reconnect the brake by reinstalling the brake noodle into the right side caliper. Squeeze the front brake lever to test the operation.
6. Check the brakes to ensure they are functioning correctly. If they are in need of adjustment refer to the owner’s manual.

For “Quick Release” type front wheels:

1. Disconnect the front linear pull brake by detaching the brake noodle (curved metal tube) from the right side caliper as shown. On bicycles with disc brakes, no disconnection is necessary.
2. Check the wheel hub before attaching it to the fork by rotating the threaded axle. It should be smooth with no lateral movement.
3. Insert the front wheel into the dropouts
4. How to operate the quick release lever
   • To set, turn the lever to the open position so that the curved part faces away from the bicycle.
   • While holding the lever in one hand, tighten the adjusting nut until it stops.
   • Pivot the lever towards the closed position. When the lever is halfway closed, there must be firm resistance to turn it beyond that point. If resistance is not firm, open the lever and tighten the adjusting nut in a clockwise direction.
   • Continue to pivot the lever all the way to the closed position so that the curved part of the lever faces the bicycle.
   • The wheel is tightly secured when the serrated surfaces of the quick release clamping parts actually
   begin to cut into the bicycle frame/fork surfaces.
   • CAUTION: The quick release must be very tight in its closed position and unable to vibrate loose while riding.
   • CAUTION: If you can fully close the quick release without wrapping your fingers around the fork
   blade for leverage, and the lever does not leave a clear imprint in the palm of you hand, the tension
   is insufficient. Open the lever, tighten the adjusting nut, and try again. Continue until the QR lever
   closes properly. Secondary retention devices are not a substitute for a correct quick release
   adjustment. Failure to properly adjust the quick release mechanism can cause the wheel to wobble
   or disengage, which could cause you to lose control and fall, resulting in serous injury or death.
5. Reconnect the brake by reinstalling the brake noodle into the right side caliper. Squeeze the front brake lever to test the operation.
6. Check the brakes to ensure they are functioning correctly. If they are in need of adjustment refer to the owner’s manual.