Posts: 149
Joined: 4/4/2012
Location: Seattle, WA USA
So my friend got a new complete a couple days ago (hasn't had a bike in years.) And I noticed there was a washer inbetween the frame and axle bolt. I realized I dont have one on my bike and haven't for about 3 years. Do I need one? I assume it just lets you crank the bolt down tighter.
References - jared42069
Posts: 3155
Joined: 12/1/2008
Location: Narp, ALA
Better to have one but it's not that important as long as your wheel is staying tight. What the washer does is spread the pressure more evenly when you tighten down the bolts and keeps them from eating into your frame over time.
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Posts: 13029
Joined: 7/13/2007
Location: Hanover, PA USA
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Yeah you need it. Anyone telling you that you don't is wrong. Everybody I know who doesn't use one, always have problems with their wheel shifting or slipping in the dropouts, and after I tell them to put a washer in between there.. It never happens again. That & what BMXism said above about spreading the pressure evenly & keeping your axle nut/bolt from digging into your frame
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