What thru axle adapter do I need to attach to a trailer to my bike?
If you've landed on this page, you're probably wondering about what thru axle adapter you need to attach your bike to a trailer?
‘What thru axle adapter do I need to attach my bike to a trailer?’
‘My bike has a thru axle, will it attach a trailer?’
Here at Bike Trailer Hire, these are some of the frequently asked questions we get asked all the time. We get lots of enquiries from people who have purchased (or hired) a bike trailer and then find it doesn’t fit as their bike has a thru axel or bolt on axle. We hope this blog helps explain how you can still use a trailer if your bike a has a thru axel...
Does my bike rear wheel have a Skewer or Thru Axel?
Thru axles are newer; they have been in mountain bikes since around 2010 and are now common in road bikes as well. But there are still many bikes that have skewers.
A quick release (QR) skewer is a thin rod that goes into an axle (inside a hub). A QR is 5mm thick and is steel. It looks something like this:
A thru axel is a thicker rod, the common rear axle is 12mm in diameter. Like the image below. Thru axles are different because they thread directly into your bike frame. Your bike has a thru axle if the “drop out” is a hole, rather than a U-shaped dropout. Thru axles provide a stiffer ride, which is beneficial for mountain bikers.
If my bike has Thru Axel, how do I attach my bike to a bike trailer?
You need to check what size your thru axel is and then will you need to purchase a thru axle adapter which fits your bike.
Why do I need a Thru Axel adapter?
Thru axle adapters are longer than normal axles that you use in place of your bike's standard thru axle. They extend out far enough on each side which means that you can then fit on the Standard steel hitch which is used to hitch on the trailer.
Thru Axle adapters simply replace the thru axle on your bike.
How do I know what size adapter I need?
To check your size firstly pull your thru axle out and measure the dimensions. Then use the Thru Axle Fit Guide to determine which Thru Axle is compatible with your bike.
There are 3 dimensions you need:
1. Thread pitch of your axle: Place your axle threads on top of the Fitment Guide image below to find the matching thread pitch. Determine if it is a 1.0, 1.5, or 1.75 thread pitch.
Please note: Specialized bikes are usually always 1mm thread pitches
2. Length of the diameter: measure the end of your axle shaft.
3. Length of the axle: measure the straight length of your axle shaft. Include the over-locknut dimensions
Once you have your dimensions you need to purchase the correctly fitting thru axle adapter.
If you have any qs about which Thru Axle Adapter you require then just contact us at hello@turbotrainerhire.co.uk
Sporting Regards,
The Turbo Trainer Hire team