Linear Aluminum Recumbent Bicycle - Quick Release Lever Adjustment; Guidelines for QR Levers

h
SIMPLE
GUIDELINES
FOR
PROPER
ADJUSTMENT
OF
QUICK
RELEASE
LEVERS
A.
MANUFACTURER'S
RECOMMENDATION
-
No
matter
who made
the device,
always
follow,
and
instruct
your
customers
to
follow,
the advice
given
in owner's
manuals
regarding
its
products. Most
QR
axles
will,
however,
operate
safely
and
securely
under
the
below
guidelines.
B.
EMBOSSING
THE
ENDS
-
When
properly
tightened,
the
metal of
the
QR
device
should
emboss
(make
a
visible
impression
in) the aluminum.
C. CURVED
LEVERS
-Almost
allQR
devices
have curved
levers and
the concave
side
should
face
the bicycle
when
it is in the
closed
position.
D.
TIGHTENING
THE
DEVICE
-
With
the
lever
in the open
position,
tighten
the
cone-shaped
nut at
the opposite
end
of
the axle
so
that
when
moving
the
lever
toward
the
closed
position,
you
feel some
resistance
to
motion
when the
lever
is
a
bit
past
the center
of
its
full
travel. Close
the
lever
all
the way
to the end
of
its
travel.
E.
TIGHTENING
FORCES
-
While
the
lever
should
close
tight, do
not over
tighten:
too
tight
and
you
could
stretch
or otherwise
cause
damage.
Do not exert
more
than
45
pounds
force
(lbs.)
when closing
the
lever.
More
than this, and
you
will overstress
the
Parts.
F. RELEASING
FORCES
-
Although
the
release
is
called
quick,
opening
should
not be
too
easy.
The
lever
must
not
release
until
at
least
12 lbs. of
force are
applied.
Open
the
lever
and
tighten
the cone-shaped
bolt
some
more.
Repeat
the
process
until
the
minimum
opening
force
is
achieved.
Do not allow
the
lever to become
so
tight
it
take
more
than
25 lbf.
to open
the
QR
device;
damage
could result
if the
lever
needs
that
much
force
to open.
G.
MEASURING
NECESSARY
FORCE
-
You do
not
need complex
testing
equi-
pment
to
measure
your
exertion
of
force
on
the
QR
lever.
To
"educate"
yourself
on
how
much
12lbt.
feels,
push
on
a
bathroom
scale
or
a supermarket
produce
scale.
When
the scale
reads
12
pounds,
you'll
know
how much
force
you
will
need.
Remember:
The
lever
requires
at
least
12
pounds
of
opening
force to
assure
ade-
quate
tightness
and
safety,
but
should
require
no more
than
25
pounds
of
opening
force,
nor should
the
closing
force be
greater
than
45
pounds.
H.
FINAL
CHECKS
-While
the
final
position
of
the
lever
has
little importance
aero-
dynamically,
it should
be
carefully
placed
to avoid
interfering
with
other
parts
or
accessories
or
with
the
operation
of the
bicycle.
Many
manufacturers
suggest
pointing
the
lever
rearward
to
avoid
snagging.
This
is
particularly
important
off-
road,
where
a
snag
on a
vine, branch
or other
protruding
object
may
pull
open
the
lever,
which
may
cause
loosening
and
failure of
the
product.
,
REPRINTED
FROM
AMERICAN
BICYCLIST'
6