Putting a back wheel with gears back on a bike involves carefully aligning the wheel, chain, and frame, then securing the axle.
Here's a step-by-step guide incorporating essential techniques for bikes equipped with gears, referencing the crucial steps of alignment, insertion, and tightening.
Preparing for Installation
Before you begin, ensure you have a stable way to hold your bike. Flipping it upside down on a soft surface or using a bike repair stand works well.
- Shift Gears: Shift your bike's rear derailleur to the smallest cog (highest gear). This provides the most slack in the chain, making wheel installation easier.
Installing the Wheel
Follow these steps to correctly position and secure your rear wheel:
- Position the Chain: Drape the bike's chain over the smallest cog on the wheel you are installing. The chain should sit correctly on the cog before the wheel is fully in place.
- Insert the Wheel: Guide the wheel up into the bike's dropouts (the slots at the rear of the frame). You may need to pull back slightly on the rear derailleur to allow the cassette (the gear cluster on the wheel) to clear the upper jockey wheel and fit into the frame.
- Align the Axle: Ensure the wheel is centered and the axle is properly seated within the dropouts. As noted in the reference, the components must be Aligned before proceeding. This means the axle ends should sit fully and squarely in their slots in the frame.
- Insert the Axle/Skewer:
- Through Axle: If your bike uses a through axle (a thick rod that passes through the hub), you will now insert your through axle through the frame and the hub. This is the method shown in the reference clip.
- Quick Release: If your bike uses a quick release skewer (a thin rod with a lever), insert the skewer through the hub and close the lever once the wheel is in the dropouts.
- Tighten the Axle:
- Through Axle: Once the through axle is inserted, screw it into the frame on the opposite side. It's critical to tighten. Thoroughly. Proper torque is essential for safety and wheel retention. Consult your bike or axle manufacturer for specific torque values, but ensure it is firmly secured.
- Quick Release: Close the quick release lever firmly. It should require some effort to close completely, leaving a slight indentation on your hand. If it closes too easily or is extremely difficult, adjust the nut on the opposite side of the skewer.
Final Checks
Once the wheel is installed and tightened, perform these checks:
- Wheel Alignment: Spin the wheel to ensure it spins freely without rubbing on the brake pads or frame. Adjust if necessary.
- Brake Function: Test your rear brake to ensure it engages properly.
- Gear Function: Cycle through all the gears while turning the crank. Ensure the chain moves smoothly between all cogs. This is where checking If your derailleur is functioning correctly comes into play, ensuring it can shift across the entire cassette range.
Following these steps carefully will help ensure your rear wheel is securely and correctly installed, allowing your gears and brakes to function properly.
