Don- Three points for the front only QR. First when on the typical display rack in the LBS it has been shown that the average consumer will only focus on the fork, bars and ft. wheel. So any component further back on the bike then the headset is lost during the shopping experience. This is why you'll see department store mountain bikes with a ft disk brake but rim rear brake. Second the ft QR makes it easier to transport home after the purchase. And third is that many first time buyers are intimidated by the chain and gears, if they get a flat the shop will fix it anyways.
I've seen this over and over. It's sometimes surprising how many "cyclists" will bring a bike to the shop for a flat fix.
> Does anyone have any insight into this crazy 1970's idea of how to
> build a low-end bike? Around about 1974, Raleigh went to QR hubs
> front and rear, even on the lowly $125 grand prix model. Meanwhile,
> several japanese brands started to arrive at our shores with a quick
> release hub ... only on the front! Please, pray-tell, how does this
> help the buyer? You still have to carry an adjustable wrench in case
> you get a flat, and now thieves can steal your front wheel or your
> whole bike and so you need to lock the front wheel every time!
>
> Worse that no QRs at all, imho !!
>
> What were the bike designers thinking? If you worked in a shop back
> then, what would you say to the customer to justify the bike ??
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA, USA
> _______________________________________________
Andrew R Stewart
Rochester, NY