Thank you sir! My wife has a beautiful bike with a thru axle and the trainer she bought didn't have an attachment point that would work with her bike. She was extraordinarily frustrated with that and didn't want to spend another 50 dollars on a piece that would make it work. Using this technique of yours, I ran to the hardware store and made the necessary pieces for less than 10 dollars! You're the best! Thank you again!
Hello. I know it was over a year ago but are you still using this DIY solution for your trainer. Recently got the 2019 TCR Advanced and was going to give it a try. Did you use the same sizes as the video?
If you have the QR skewer from your trainer, here's an easier, cheaper and perfect fit method: 1. Cut your skewer in half (hacksaw or Dremel). 2. Slide the tap washers onto each end. 3. Slide a piece of 3/16" tubing followed by a piece of 5/16" tubing over each side of the QR axle. Heat makes this easier. 4. Slide modified axles in your dropouts/hub, tighten on your trainer and get to training! No worry about imprecise fit using nuts because you're still using the intended skewer. This is for a 12mm axle. Your tubing sizes may vary depending on your axle size.
I got a used trainer that didn't come with a skewer, and the ones online are hot garbage. I've been searching for a solution for weeks and your vid just randomly popped up in my feed. Definitely will try. Thanks
Thanks for an idea. I have modified it though. I took M5 threaded bar, cut it to required length, put it through an axle and then screwed on QR adjust nuts on each side.
I used a 3/8" hex bolt 8" in length, a couple of washers and 3 nuts. Less than $3. Wrapped the bolt in one layer of painters tape. You can tighten bolt on the frame, which keeps the wheel secure and prevents disc rubbing issues like I had using two bolts. Cheers!
I skip the rubber tube and steel washer but everything else works like a charm! My trainer is Tacx Vortex and to get its thru axle is around $35 but now only cost me as little as $3! Thank you so so much! You are awesome!
Much thanks for this video. Genius idea and very practical. As opposed to a $40 adapter that I’m not sure may be the right size. I really appreciate the different customized options. Also- very easy. I’m doing this ASAP for my gravel bike and second hand trainer I bought.
Might sound silly, but this video was very inspiring. Recently changed my bicycle and my new one doesn't fit my kickr snap because it has thru axle. Bought a new wheel with quick release hoping it would fit, but no luck, the skewer was not long enough. Found in my "pile of bicycle components for a rainy day" an axle from a hub with bolts left and right. Guess what, fits right through the wheel and has enough space left and right to tighten the nuts. The nuts fit snugly on the trainer so problem solved :D DIY FTW, just saved £50
Awesome thank you! I have my mtb here in Costa Rica, hard even to find a decent trainer. I just had another shoulder surgery but till wanna pedal! I'm taking that list to our version of a hardware store , whichis 45 mins away! and grabbing it all! Stoked!
Hello Mr. OZ Cycle! Thank you so much for this video. excellent idea once again. Please do not leave us so much time without posting your videos that, besides instructive, it amuses us much with your sympathy. Thank you very much. Best Greetings from Brazil, Francisco Alonso Colom
Thank you for this! I, unfortunately, already purchased a pricey thru axle adapter kit, and it still didn't work with my really old CycleOps and my really new Felt road bike. This was due to a cone spacer being a couple of mm off, allowing my frame to shimmy against the thru axle adapter while cycling with a lot of power. The shortened tube I received as part of the kit did not fit my old trainer either, as the diameter was too small and rattled around. It was supremely frustrating. However, watching your video and making a trip to the hardware store, I was able to rig up a better cone spacer using wider bolts that were closer to my bike's thru axle diameter (10M) and a wine cork, and it fit the attachments to the old trainer. All in all, I made something for less than $10 that works, compared to something that cost me $60 and didn't. Thank you for your installation instruction in the video!
Thanks mate, saved me a fortune in axle adapter. Tbh I ordered one a month ago and they just got back to me and said it will be another 2 months before I might get it!! So I'll do this instead
The axle on a bike skewer is 4.8mm apparently, and mine doesnt fit inside my thru axle, let alone a 6mm axle. I guess i'd have to buy a thru axle that's "more hollow" inside. Kind of liked the idea of just cutting an existing trainer friendly skewer in half and use those on the ends of the thru axle.
@@beth8399 I can't figure out why no one suggests this. I sprint over 1,000 watts on it and rag the bike from side to side and there's zero sign of wear on the axle. Did you decide to cut the QR yourself or did I give you the idea?
I decided to cut the QR myself since the nuts and bolts method has the same principle as cutting the QR in half.. so why not give it a try? 😁 Then I saw your comment.. Im happy im not alone in this idea! 😀😀😀
@@beth8399 You "saw" my comment? 😁 I see what you did there! Yeah, I can't be the first to have that idea because it seems so obvious, there's nothing new in the world. Good luck with the indoor training! Another tip I have while I'm here is to have a different wheel with the indoor tyre fitted and just change out the wheel rather than wrestling with the tyre. Also I've cut little wind sails out of a plastic drain pipe and glued them to those reflector spoke clips to add wind drag so you don't have to pedal as fast to hit high watts. This makes it much quieter and also creates a nice breeze up your back 😁
Great tip thanks. Does the bolt (esp if 1 sided like 7:31) need to fit snug into the inside of the thru axle for safety and reduced movement on the trainer?
Thanks for the video. I made myself an adapter based or your instructions. Haven't fitted them on my bike and trainer through because I was concerned about the play between the bolts and wheel. Felt as if it would be quite unstable if put on the trainer. What was your bolt diameter at the neck of the bolt (threadless part)?
Got the same problem. Was looking to see if I had any suitable bolts etc to try your method. Then wondered if my spare turbo quick release would fit inside hollow thru axle. It does perfectly tried it on turbo in thru axle bike. It seems secure pedals by hand OK. Not tried sitting on bike yet. So I wondered if you/anybody has any thoughts/warnings? Before I give it some welly.
Hi there, Great video. I dont have quick release on my bike just the through axle and hub with nuts on both sides, so my bike should clamp straight into any trainer..? Thanks Andy
I tried it, so I got all the nut sizes, I find on one side one of them tends to jam into the trainer clamp (one size up will not go in at all) and can be a real pain to get out of the trainer as the bike is also stuck! I'm worried how tight I do up the trainer might damage the frame using this method. Maybe its all fine, but I haven't got much piece of mind. Ordered the overpriced adapter :(
Hi, I have a Kinetic Smart Trainer for which there is now available a 'Traxle' which can be used on my Thru axel bike. On a bike with a quick release there are three options using a trainer; 1 Get a special tyre, swap it for the one on the bike every time you use the trainer, this is time consuming and annoying! 2 Use the existing tyre but be prepared for the fact that it will wear out much faster than road use. 3 Get an extra wheel and put the special tyre on that. What is your recommendation for a Thru axel bike, given that there is sealant in the tyre and thus swapping it for a special tyre(Is there one for tubeless tyres?) will be messy to say the least. Is it OK to simply use the tyre that's on the bike?. Do tubeless tyres wear less than ordinary ones? Buying an extra wheel is financially imprudent. Thanks in advance.
Like you say,most options are awkward. Personally I would buy a cheap alloy thru axle clincher rear wheel and put a heavy duty tyre on it to use just for your trainer. Keep an eye open for second had ones even.
This may be a very stupid question, but why do you need the plastic tubes? You can use a larger diameter bolt and you're done, or not? Or is it only for dampening?
@@stevenleffanue Hi Oz, thanks for this very fast answer, maybe I'm really missing something but watching the video again (minute 5'00" and 5'35"), doesn't the frame with the tread rest on the thinner bolts? The way it looks, the plastic tube is outside the resting point of the frame. In other words, it looks like the hole diameter of the thru-axle (mine is 10mm) is much larger than the 6-7mm bolts on which it rests, therefore there is a tolerance and risk of damage... help?
I might try this... unfortunately bolts are stupidly expensive where I live. I also may try to improve on this idea, it's not engineering enough for me. 🙂
I have Trek emonda 2021 which it comes with thru axel. I did exactly the same as per video, but unfortunately it didn’t work on my bike as the M6 75mm won’t go all the way through on the non drive side of my bike due to torque screw, It goes halfway not until there’s a bit of resistance so I withdraw the process. Any advise on this Oz Legend? Should I shortened (cut) the M6 75mm or get another size shorter than M6 75mm? Thanks in advance.
Hi @oz cycle I have a shimano thru axle M12XP1.5 Length 163mm. These are not hollow so I am unable to put the M6 bolt into and through the one end....any suggestions please? I am desperate as taxc/garmin have advised 10 weeks for the adapter! thanks Gareth
The 15mm nuts take most of the forces. The skinny screw in the thru axle is a guide and safety pin so the bike want slip out of the stand under extreme power or movement.
@oz cycle Hi there mate, is there any chance that you can just sell me those adapter as I don’t have tools with me , happy to pay postage, I’m located in Sydney please. Hope to hear from you soon.
