Front axle on stumpjumper, what the heck is it?

[jmX]

The rear axle on my Stumpjumper 29er appears to be built into the wheel, and is simply held in place by a standard 135mm quick release. Exactly like my road bike wheels.

However, the front setup uses what seems to be called a through-axle. My question involves figuring out what type it is. I measured the shaft diameter and it's 9mm, however every search I've done seems to imply through axles are usually 15mm or 20mm.

So, the questions:
1) Is this some sort of non-standard axle setup on this bike?

2) Am I correct to assume a standard 100mm Quick release MTB wheel will slot right in and can be held with a regular 100mm QR? Only downside would be slightly less stiffness?

 

[Magna_Graecia]

I took a look at the pictures you posted in another thread, and it looks like you have the DT Swiss ratcheting skewers, which are thicker than the normal 9mm quick release skewers. If you want to ditch them you'd have to spring for a 9mm solid axle like the ones Hadley hubs use.

You really don't have anything to worry about though; the technology is common enough that you won't have any problems getting replacement parts and they are generally superior to regular quick release skewers.

 

[jmX]

The front skewer is 9mm, and it doubles as the axle. Regular skewers are just a 3-4 mm thick and do not support the wheel, they simply clamp the wheel in place and the wheel has its own built-in axle. This is how all my other bikes are, and also how the rear wheel is on the Stumpjumper.

On the front of this bike if I pull the front "quick release" out the wheel falls, unlike on a road bike or some other mountain bikes. This is not a quick release hub.

I think this is a DT Swiss specific setup, and I also think that if I buy a Stans rim I simply need to use a regular 100mm quick release instead of what I have now and it'll be fine. I'm hoping somebody here can confirm that suspicion for me.

 

[UPSed]

You're correct. The fork has standard drop outs. You can use a standard quick release wheel on the front.

 

[rjcsocal]

^^^ correct.

Why limit your wheel choice to Stan's?

 

[jmX]

^^^ correct.

Why limit your wheel choice to Stan's?

Thanks UPSed, rj...so this is a DT Swiss specific setup huh? Ok.

I'm open to hearing any rim suggestions, but Stans Crest seems light and cheap. Was hoping to try tubeless just to see what its all about, as well as to drop 400-500grams.

 

[rjcsocal]

Do a search on this site for 29er wheels -- especially Stan's. I don't have personal experience with Stan's wheels, but there's a lot of info out there. You know you can go tubeless on the wheels you have now and drop quite a few grams cheaply.

As mentioned in your earlier post about the bike, I mentioned I had the same one. I bought Roval Control AL 29er wheels; reasonably light and mid-priced. They compare with Mavic's cross country 29er rim on weight, stiffness, and price. The Rovals are great wheels -- I've been on them since May without one issue and have the 26er version on my Stumpy FSR for almost a year now.

Before taking the bike out of the shop, I swapped the cassette for a XX and my LBS credited me for the one that came on the bike, so I dropped almost 200g for a few extra bucks.

 

[BigTex]

If your main objective is going tubeless, you can probably do it with those wheels. I think pretty much all Specialized bikes in 2011 came with tubeless-ready rims and tires. I went tubeless with my '11 Stumpy FSR no problem (and no regrets). That alone will shed some weight, but perhaps not as much as you're looking for.