Skewers
Used road bike skewers are a cheap fix when a lever snaps or a second-hand wheel arrives without one. They may be small, but they play a crucial role in securing your wheels, and Cranxs connects you with private sellers across the UK offering everything from lightweight options that shave off a few grams to sturdy sets for peace of mind on long rides.
What does a skewer actually do?
A quick release is a 5mm rod that passes through the hollow axle of the hub, with a cam lever at one end and an adjusting nut at the other. Closing the lever clamps the fork or frame dropouts against the ends of the hub axle, and it is that clamping force, not the rod itself, that holds the wheel in place. A skewer that closes too easily is not tight enough, however good it looks.
Will they fit your hubs?
Road hub spacing is 100mm at the front and 130mm at the rear, and skewers are sold in matching lengths, so a rear rod will be too long for a front wheel and a front rod will not reach through a rear hub. Sets sold with a wheelset are already the right pair. Frames and forks using thru-axles do not take skewers at all, as the axle threads directly into the frame.
External or internal cam?
An external cam sits proud of the lever body and gives more clamping force for the same effort at the lever, which is why it is the safer choice for everyday riding. Internal cams are enclosed and often found on ultralight sets; they feel smoother to close but generally clamp less firmly, so check the wheel is genuinely tight before riding.
Steel, titanium or alloy?
Steel rods are the strongest and cheapest, and are what most stock skewers use. Titanium rods save a few grams at similar strength and resist corrosion, which is why they command a premium second-hand. Aluminium rods are the lightest of the three and the most likely to flex under a hard clamp, so treat very light sets as race-day parts rather than winter ones.
What should you check buying used?
Work the lever through its full travel and feel for a smooth cam action rather than a gritty one, and check the cam faces are greased and not scored. Look for a bent rod, missing or collapsed conical springs, and rounded serrations on the nut and the closed end, since worn serrations let the wheel creep in the dropouts. Buy them as a pair where you can, so the two ends match. The rest of your wheels and tyres setup depends on them holding.