Have you recently entered a bike shop? If you have, you will also have noticed that nowadays finding a bike that uses the quick release system to attach the wheels to the frame is not easy. But is the question that gives the title to this article obsolete? Let's try to understand it together.
In this article
Quick release and thru axle: how do they work?
The two most popular attachment systems in recent years for bike wheels are the quick release (quick release) and the thru axle. The second is rapidly replacing the first in almost all types of bikes and then the question arises spontaneously: does it still make sense to use wheels with quick release for traveling?
Before understanding the advantages and disadvantages of one and the other system, let's try to briefly explain how they work.
Quick Release
It is a lever system that tightens the hub of the wheel against the dropouts of the frame or fork via an eccentric mechanism
Thru-axle
In this case, the anchoring system of the wheel to the bike consists of a threaded pin that passes through the hub and is screwed into the frame or fork
Advantages and disadvantages of the two systems
Having understood how the two systems work, now let's try to see what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two technologies. This is a general speech and since the market is very varied, even the characteristics of the individual product can vary.
Pros and cons of the Quick Release system
Advantages
- Lightness: wheels with Quick Release are generally lighter than wheels with thru axle, which can be an advantage both if you are trying to reduce the overall weight of your bike and if you are looking for greater smoothness since reducing the weight on the rotating components is essential for this purpose.
- Ease of use: the Quick Release system, also known as QR, is very simple and quick to use, which can be useful if you need to disassemble and assemble the wheels frequently or quickly, for example to transport the bike or to repair a puncture.
- Lower cost: the Quick Release wheels are generally cheaper than thru-axle wheels
- Availability in remote areas: in less developed countries from a cycling point of view this is still the standard and therefore if you travel to these countries it will be easier to find spare parts
Disadvantages
- Less rigidity: Quick Release wheels are less rigid than thru-axle wheels, which can affect the stability and handling of the bike, especially if you have a heavy load or if you are travelling on rough terrain.
- Less safety: The Quick Release system is less safe than the thru-axle, as it is easier for the wheel to loosen or come off accidentally
Pros and Cons of the Thru Axle System
Pros
- Greater Stiffness: Thru axle wheels are stiffer than Quick Release wheels due to the threaded anchorage, which translates into greater stability and handling of the bike, especially at high speeds on rough terrain.
- Greater Safety: The thru axle is a safer system than the Quick Release, as it is less likely that the wheel will loosen or come off accidentally.
- They are becoming the standard: In Europe and in the more "cycling"" countries the thru axle is rapidly replacing the quick release systems, becoming the standard easily available at any bike shop.
Disadvantages
- Weight increase: thru-axle wheels are generally heavier than Quick Release wheels, although significant progress has been made in this area in recent years.
- Higher cost: thru-axle wheels are generally more expensive than Quick Release wheels.
- More cumbersome: since the axle is threaded and must be inserted into the hub, it is necessary to screw or unscrew it and extract it in order to remove the wheel, requiring a minimum of work in pmore than the quick release.
- A new system for the most remote areas: if it is becoming the standard in our country, in less developed countries the thru-axle is still an expensive system and too new to be able to replace the good old QR.
Considerations for cycle tourism
I believe that the premise made so far has been necessary and useful to be able to draw contextualized considerations and not dictated by simple market trends. The choice between wheels with Quick Release and thru axle for traveling by bike, you will have understood, depends on several factors, including mainly the type and places of travel you plan to do, your budget and, last but not least, your personal preferences.
As already mentioned, the standard in terms of attaching the wheels to the bike is evolving and if until a few years ago the thru axle was a curious innovation, today it is becoming (or has already become) increasingly common on bikes so it could be easier to find spare parts and assistance in case of problems in Italy and in general in countries where the market runs fast. 
The introduction of the disc brakes on bikes has also led to finding a more stable solution in the attachment of the wheel and the thru axle, as already mentioned, offers greater rigidity and safety, especially when braking. For this reason, it is now difficult to find comparisons and arguments to "defend" the quick release on mountain bikes, also considering the speeds that can be reached with the spread of e-bikes.
The discussion is still a little more complex for touring bikes, because factors come into play that do not apply to mountain bikes or day trips near home. Just think about the fact that among the models I have included in the best touring bicycles still more than half are made with frames suitable for Quick Release systems.
In particular, you must take into consideration the type of trip you will be taking: if you plan to take a long and demanding trip, with heavy loads and on rough terrain, the thru axle could be the best choice if you will limit yourself to visiting countries in Europe, North America or areas with an active bike market and lively (I'm also thinking of certain areas of China, South America and some countries in South-East Asia). Precisely for this reason, the most modern adventure bikes are increasingly made with thru-axle.
If, on the other hand, you plan to take a lighter trip and on paved or less bumpy roads, the Quick Release may be sufficient. Even if you plan to travel to remote places, far from inhabited centers or cities, in areas not accustomed to seeing cyclists pass by, consider buying a bike with quick release. For example, I chose a bike with a quick release system, in fact my Genesis Longitude, despite having hydraulic disc brakes, has QR and not thru axle.
Another element to evaluate when choosing one of the two systems could be compatibility with other and wheels you already have: it could be convenient to be able to switch from one set to another depending on the situation and the route.
Conclusion
To sum up, at the time of writing, both wheels with Quick Release and with thru axle have their own logic and sense for travel use. The choice depends on your needs and personal preferences.
While I would blindly recommend a thru axle system for a mountain bike or for a gravel bike to be used in the area, I still suggest you think carefully about the choice thinking about what has been said so far in case you are thinking of buying a touring bike.
