Operating instructions

ManualsBrandsax-lightness ManualsBicycleengage

Rim trueness and spoke tension

For the true running of the wheel it is imperative

that the tension exerted by the spokes is distributed

evenly around the rim

(a+b). If the tension of a sin-

gle spoke changes, e.g. as a result of riding fast over a

kerb or of a loose nipple, the tensile forces acting on

the rim become unbalanced and the wheel will no

longer run true. The functioning of your bicycle may

even be impaired before you notice the wobbling ap-

pearance of a wheel that has gone out of true.

With rim brakes the sides of the rims also serve as

braking surfaces

(c). An untrue wheel can impair your

braking power. It is therefore advisable to check the

wheels for trueness from time to time.

For this purpose lift the wheel o the ground and

spin it with your hand. Watch the gap between the

rim and the brake pads. If the gap varies by more than

a millimetre, you should ask an AX-Lightness and en-

gage dealer to true up the wheel (d).

Do not ride with untrue AX-Lightness and

engage wheels. In the case of extreme

side-to-side wobbles, the brake pads of rim

brakes can miss the rim and get caught in

the spokes! This normally instantly jams the

wheel and throws you o your bicycle.

Loose spokes must be tightened at once.

Otherwise the load on the other spokes and

the rim will increase.

Wheel removal

If your bicycle has side-pull brakes unhook the

brake cable holder (AX-Lightness), open the quick-re-

lease lever at the brake (Shimano, SRAM) (e) or shift

the pin in the brake lever/shifter unit on the handle-

bars (Campagnolo) (f).

If your bicycle has cantilever and V-brakes you rst

have to unhook the brake cable from the brake arm.

To do this, grip the rim with one hand and press the

brake pads and/or arms together.

In this position the usually barrel shaped nipple of the

lateral brake cable or the brake hose (of V-brakes) can

easily be disengaged.

If you have disc brakes, you should ﬁrst check the

exact position and condition of the brake pads and/

or wear indicators (ear or nose-shaped metal protru-

sions) (g). In this way you will be able to tell after the

removal whether the brake pads are still in their cor-

rect position.

If you have derailleur gears, you should shift the

chain to the smallest sprocket before removing the

rear wheel. This shifts the rear derailleur right to the

outside where it does not interfere with the removal

of the wheel. Open the quick-release of the wheel, as

described in chapter “Quick-releases”.

If you cannot remove the wheel after releasing the le-

ver, this is due to the drop-out safety tabs. They come

as metal catches which engage with recesses in the

drop outs. Just release the quick-release adjusting nut

a little and slip the wheel past the tabs.

You will nd it easier to remove the rear wheel, when

you pull the rear derailleur slightly backwards. Lift the

bicycle o the ground and give the wheel a gentle

tap with your hand so that it drops out.

Rotors can become hot, so let them cool

down before removing a wheel.

Do not pull the (disc) brake lever with a re-

moved wheel and make sure to mount the

safety locks when removing the wheel.

Observe the chapter “The brake

system” of the present user man-

ual and the gear manufacturer’s

operating instructions.

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Rims - Wheels