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2. Wheels With Cam Action Systems
There are currently two types of over-center cam wheel retention mechanisms: the traditional
over-center cam (g. 8a) and the cam-and-cup system (g. 8b). Both use an over-center cam
action to clamp the bike’s wheel in place. Your bicycle may have a cam-and-cup front wheel
retention system and a traditional rear wheel cam action system.
a. Adjusting the Traditional Cam Action Mechanism (fig. 8a)
The wheel hub is clamped in place by the force of the over-center cam pushing against one
dropout and pulling the tension adjusting nut, by way of the skewer, against the other dropout.
The amount of clamping force is controlled by the tension adjusting nut. Turning the tension
adjusting nut clockwise while keeping the cam lever from rotating increases clamping force;
turning it counterclockwise while keeping the cam lever from rotating reduces clamping force.
Less than half a turn of the tension adjusting nut can make the difference between safe
clamping force and unsafe clamping force.
WARNING:
the full force of the cam actIon Is needed to clamp the wheel securely. holdIng the nut wIth one
hand and turnIng the lever lIke a wIng nut wIth the other hand untIl everythIng Is as tIght as you can get It wIll
not clamp a cam actIon wheel safely In the dropouts. see also the fIrst warnIng In thIs sectIon, p. 17.
b. Adjusting the Cam-and-Cup Mechanism (fig. 8b)
The cam-and-cup system on your front wheel will have been correctly adjusted for your bicycle
by your dealer. Ask your dealer to check the adjustment every six months. Do not use a cam-
and-cup front wheel on any bicycle other than the one for which your dealer adjusted it.
3. Removing and Installing wheels
WARNING:
If your BIke Is equIpped wIth a huB Brake such as a rear coaster Brake, front or rear drum, Band
or roller Brake; or If It has an Internal gear rear huB, do not attempt to remove the wheel. the removal and
re-InstallatIon of most huB Brakes and Internal gear huBs requIres specIal knowledge. Incorrect removal or
assemBly can result In Brake or gear faIlure, whIch can cause you to lose control and fall.
CAUTION: If your BIke has a dIsc Brake, exercIse care In touchIng the rotor or calIper. dIsc rotors have
sharp edges, and Both rotor and calIper can get very hot durIng use.
a. Removing a Disc Brake or Rim Brake Front Wheel
(1) If your bike has rim brakes, disengage the brake’s quick-release mechanism to increase
the clearance between the tire and the brake pads (See Section 4.C g. 11 through 15).
(2) If your bike has cam action front wheel retention, move the cam lever from the locked or
CLOSED position to the OPEN position (gs. 8a & b). If your bike has through bolt or bolt-
on front wheel retention, loosen the fastener(s) a few turns counter-clockwise using an
appropriate wrench, lock key or the integral lever.
(3) If your front fork has a clip-on type secondary retention device, disengage it. If your front
fork has an integral secondary retention device, and a traditional cam action system
(g. 8a) loosen the tension adjusting nut enough to allow removing the wheel from the
dropouts. If your front wheel uses a cam-and-cup system, (g. 8b) squeeze the cup and
cam lever together while removing the wheel. No rotation of any part is necessary with the
cam-and-cup system. You may need to tap the top of the wheel with the palm of your hand
to release the wheel from the front fork.
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