[CR]Frankenstein Bolts

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

From: "aldoross4" <aldoross4@siscom.net>
To: "Matteo Brandi" <cheroketz@libero.it>, "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:31:39 -0500
Subject: [CR]Frankenstein Bolts

For a few years now I been using bikes equipped with "frankenstein bolts" on the quick release skewers, and have a few thoughts...

The fact that the bolts can be turned, which increases or decreases the force needed to turn the qr end (conical) nut, is a plus when using with a cambio Corsa or cambio Paris-Roubaix shifter. Since the hub and qr roll forward and backward in the dropouts during a shift, and it's possible for the qr end nut to rub against the dropout, the qr end nut could possibly turn in relation to the qr skewer if the frankenstein bolts aren't tight enough.

On the cambio Corsa, a little bit of misadjustment wouldn't be too much of a problem, but if the qr skewer gets too loose the qr won't tighten enough to hold the rear wheel in place, and if it gets too tight the wheel won't move freely in the dropouts - a neccesity during a shift.

On the cambio Paris-Roubaix the adjusment is much more critical - if the qr lever engages too soon the indexing mechanism can't provide any chain slack, and the shifting mechanism can be affected. And just like with the cambio Corsa, if it's too loose, the qr can't hold the wheel in place.

The adjustability of the frankenstein bolts was (and still is) convenient when using these shifters.

The bolts don't actually touch the qr skewer, but rather there are brass pads between the two pieces. The softer brass pieces prevent (to some extent) damage to the threads on the steel qr skewer.

Just a reminder that there are movies on wooljersey.com showing the cambio Corsa and the cambio Paris-Roubaix in action:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/aldoross/pd/CIMG0003.AVI.html

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/aldoross/pd/CIMG0009.AVI.html

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/aldoross/pd/CIMG0004_1.AVI.html

Aldo Ross
Middletown, Ohio