quick release on back tires??

[Cloudymoor]

Hi,
I'm wondering why my hybrid has a quick release for the front wheel and NOT for the back wheel. Since most flats happen on the rear, wouldn't it make sense. Or is it a safety issue? Don't road bikes have them on both??? I haven't had to change a flat yet and am wondering if using a wrench is going to make me go the the LBS instead.

[Fredwina]

I think it's more of a cost issue - the bolt on wheel/axle is cheaper, the Front Q/R makes it easier to transport your bike by stuffing it in the trunk of a car

[Biciclista]

since when are most flats on the rear tire?

[Andrea]

...and since when does using a wrench require a trip to the shop?

[Grog]

I lock my hybrid by the front wheel + frame. The back wheel is bolted to the frame and thus less easy to steal.

I just need to unscrew the bolt to change a flat. I've got it changed to a bolt and hex-headed screw so I just do it with my regular (road) bike too, no need for a different wrench.

[SouthernBelle]

get a small adjustable wrench for your saddlebag. Oddly, ALL of my flats on the road have been on the rear. Isn't that weird?

[Tuckervill]

I'd do what Grog did, or put a QR on it. I wouldn't want to have to carry extra tools.

Karen

[Andrea]

Not sure what size your nuts are (*snicker*), but Surly makes a bottle opener w/a 15mm hex wrench on one end. I keep one in my SS/Fixed bike's saddle bag since it doesn't have QR skewers. It costs significantly more than getting a normal wrench, but the shape is actually awesome- very compact, but you can still get a lot of torque if you need it.

[Cloudymoor]

Well that was news to me too, but I read this in a few places and some YouTube biking expert that seemed to be more knowledgable than a blowhard, said that this is the case since bikes carry most of their weight in the back and are therefore more susceptible to flats.

[SouthernBelle]

Oh yes, you are much more likely to have flats in the rear. That's true. But I've never had a flat on the front. You would think I'd have hit a nail or something by now!