Rockshox Maxle - Alternative?

[tjdixon911]

I have this type of Maxle on my RS Forks, http://www.aebike.com/RockShox-Maxle-Lite-15mm-Bla... - its crap, I've just had my second one round off the edge when trying to undo it - has anyone else had this issue / know of an alternative / upgrade to replace it?

[deadtom]

If you have done two of them then you are probably doing something wrong.

Of the many many many that I have seen, I have never seen one properly round off

[Watchman]

I have a 15mm Maxle. It's a fantastic design IMO and despite having the wheel off numerous times, there's no rounding at all (I assets you mean rounding of the drive-slot side).

[Herman Toothrot]

It's amazing how clueless a lot of people are mechanically. I was on a group ride at a trail centre when someone complained about their front wheel and how it kept coming loose, basically it transpired he had zero idea of how to use his maxle. I showed him and it was a 'O, Right, ok" moment for him and no more loose wheel problems. Using it correctly I have no idea how anything could become rounded, in fact no matter what you do to it I have no idea how any part of it could become rounded?

[ecsrobin]

tjdixon911 said:

I have this type of Maxle on my RS Forks, http://www.aebike.com/RockShox-Maxle-Lite-15mm-Bla... - its crap, I've just had my second one round off the edge when trying to undo it - has anyone else had this issue / know of an alternative / upgrade to replace it?

Mine has done the same yesterday. The metal is so thin on the edge that it's just folded against a bit of pressure. Considering I've been using bolt through axles since 2000 and my manitou millenniums I'd say it's design rather than technique.

Id much prefer the maple DH but doubt it will fit?

[deadtom]

ecsrobin said:

Id much prefer the maple DH but doubt it will fit?

that would work on the 20 mm one i think, but not the 15

[tjdixon911]

I'm not sure if mine had become slightly corroded in, I got some grips on it, took it out and squared off the edge with a file / hacksaw, re-greased and put it back in - how tight do they need to go in? I had a quick search on the web and some suggest finger tight and the lever does the rest?

The later Maxels look a lot better.

[deadtom]

tjdixon911 said:

how tight do they need to go in? I had a quick search on the web and some suggest finger tight and the lever does the rest?

The later Maxels look a lot better.

it doesn't have to be mega tight. I'd say pretend the lever is made out of wood when you tighten it

[neenaw]

I have to agree, the RockShox 15mm maxle axles are rubbish. I've managed to do the same with mine as well despite knowing how to work one properly.
The KCNC axles are supposed to be pretty good:

http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?produc...

I've gone for one of the Carbon Ti replacements for mine which will hopefully arrive somme time next week.

[ecsrobin]

neenaw said:

I have to agree, the RockShox 15mm maxle axles are rubbish. I've managed to do the same with mine as well despite knowing how to work one properly.
The KCNC axles are supposed to be pretty good:

http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?produc...

I've gone for one of the Carbon Ti replacements for mine which will hopefully arrive somme time next week.

That's what I'm after: http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?produc... although at £70 I think I'll get on the lathe and have a crack at making my own. But then I do like the anodised red but then I could anodise mine.....

[With these feet]

I had a 20mm Maxle on my Specialized, first thing I noticed was a rocking on the bearings even with it tightened up. Turned out the top-hats in the bearings werent totally seated and a quick tap with a hammer seated them. Maxle itself never caused any issues though I can see how perhaps dirt in the thread may damage it as its quite fine IIRC.


Swapped to a Lefty now, so a completely different kettle of fish...