Review: Robert Axle Project Thru Axles
(2021) If there were one item that felt all wrong on the road bike it was the thru axles. Having upgraded in technology to disc brakes, the wobbly skewer was replaced by a factory thru axle. It wasn’t just any axle, mind you, it was an over engineered hulking piece of kit that pulsated misplacement.
The Giant TCR Advanced comes with thru axles that have some extra bits, that much is evident when digesting the bike as a whole. Rotating them into place the thumb tabs hardly line up with either a convenient place for tightening or, most importantly, for aerodynamic purposes. Per Giant’s solution, the tab is unscrewed, lined up with one of the many splines, and tightened back onto the thru axle. Considering the wheels rarely come off the bike, this should be a forgettable task. Except those hulking thru axle tabs blink at us when we look down mid-ride.
It was decided early on they had to go. After months of waffling about whether the purchase should happen, the order was submitted and the waiting game ensued. But first, Robert Axle Project, another Oregon cycling company, wanted to make sure everything was correct.
Starting with the basics, Robert Axle Project’s website is thorough regarding selection. Among the options include whether the product is for a bike or a bike trailer, is it for an e-bike, is it for a trainer, is it for a road or mountain bike? Then come the finite questions: what kind of road bike is it? What are the hub sizes? Even though the consumer flicks through the fold down menus, your bike type is expected to accompany your order. It feels like they want to make absolutely sure the thru axles coming in the mail will fit the bike at the end of the journey.
Upon reception we tore up the packaging and got to weighing the pair of axles. First we weighed the stock Giant axles to get an idea. They weighed 122 grams combined. Given they looked bulky the anticipation of significant weight loss led to a thorough swiping of the scale and with jazz hands, we dropped the two Robert Axle Project Thru Axles onto the scale. They came in at nearly half the weight at 66 grams. Though an Allen key is required to remove the axles, we did not include them in the final measurement because everyone will certainly bring a different type.
Robert Axle Project Thru Axle is sleek, hidden, and light.
Installing the Robert Axle Project Thru Axles was easy. The axles were lightly greased with Phil’s, threaded on, and tightened to the specified 12Nm. Immediately we lifted the bike and felt the difference. Oh yes. We felt the shaving of 60-some grams from an overall bike. While we’re joking about that, one thing is for sure, the axles looked great. Instead of hulking tabs, the axles essentially disappeared from our view. How quickly the bike was improved from a simple upgrade. But the enjoyment didn’t stop there. Perhaps it is in our head to justify this purchase but braking rub sounds have disappeared from rides, which we have done more of as the sun sets later and the weather turns warmer. It’s not from a lack of riding that explains the decreased frequency of hub and brake sounds.
A simple purchase of front a rear Robert Axle Project Thru Axles have us enjoying rides even more lately. With the confidence that Robert Axle Project ascertains the bike you are applying their product to, the ride can be sought after sooner and with added enjoyment. While the Thru Axle is barely visible, it is a vital piece of equipment to the bike’s forward locomotion. Definitely consider Robert Axle Project Thru Axles as an easy upgrade. You might find yourself like we do, looking down the fork at the absence of over engineered solutions. Instead quality is hidden in the hub.
