For as long as we have all ridden bicycles, our wheels were attached either by bolt or by quick-release. Bolts hold our wheels on tight and secure, but when it comes down to fixing a flat, changing a tire, or mounting a bike to a rack, nothing beat the convenience of a quick-release lever. It makes everything a lot easier, especially as you won’t need a load of tools to do any of the aforementioned tasks. Sometimes we’re on a schedule, whether we’re cycling to a poker news or trying to leave on time for a cycling holiday. The QR has been around so long, that it’s almost surprising that someone would come around so late in the game and try to improve upon an already well-designed solution. Sure, we’ve all seen QR skewers with titanium shafts, anodized aluminum or carbon ends, silly twist and turn mechanisms… But until the CLIX, no significant improvements have been made to this simple yet functional part.

The one gripe of quick releases through the years (and a minor one at that) has been that although they work conveniently to release and mount your wheels, they still require full two-handed action: loosening the cam lever and subsequently loosening the opposite bolt. The same would go for replacing the wheel. The bolt and lever would have to be tightened and adjusted, maybe tightened some more, maybe loosened a bit, then tightened a tad more…… before fully locking the wheel in place. The CLIX system addresses that very issue, and fixes it. CLIX makes your front wheel have an even quicker quick-release! In fact, CLIX is so proud of their system, that they don’t call it a quick-release, but rather a wheel release system… I suppose “SuperFast Front Wheel Release” drew some issue in their legal department.

Through its simple and innovative design, the CLIX system does away with the spinning of the adjustment nut on the opposite end of the lever. No more spinning the cam, tightening or loosening the cam until it ‘feels’ tight in your dropouts. With CLIX, you just release the lever, grip the release cup with your middle and fore finger, and out comes your wheel! It’s even simpler than it sounds. Even with the little retention tabs found on most suspension fork dropouts, the CLIX system still released with ease, yet locked down solid when it was time to ride.

The construction of the CLIX is simple and strong. The cam lever is forged aluminum for light-weight and strength, the shaft is constructed of steel, as are the grip areas that secure the skewer to your fork’s dropouts. The wide-throw lever pivots smoothly and requires no lubrication. A deep black anodize coats the lever and the retention cup and a crisp laser-etched CLIX logo rounds off the whole package with a pro-look.

Installation of the CLIX system is simple and takes only a few minutes. A slight wrench- tightening to the lock-nut inside the adjustment nut (yes, there’s a nut inside a nut), and you’re ready to ride. Once in place, the CLIX never has to be re-adjusted to fit your dropouts. When removing the wheel, I found that I could easily do it one-handed, and in most cases, re-install it with one hand as well. If you can turn a screw, you can install a CLIX – it’s just that simple. 

CLIX claims that the skewer makes an audible “Click” when the wheel is locked in place – hence the name CLIX. Although I personally never heard the resounding “click,” I had no problems with the CLIX skewer holding my wheel securely, even after numerous installations and removals. Locking action remained solid and sure time after time.

A nice You-Tube video of the how the CLIX system works can be watched below:

The CLIX is currently available for front-wheel use only (dropout spacing 100mm). No rear-wheel option is available at this time. It is designed primarily to address the needs of the rider who has to remove their front wheel more often than the rear. In a side by side comparison, I found that the skewer was only slightly larger and heavier than a stock Shimano XT. If gram shaving is a major consideration for your race rig, you may want to pass on the CLIX… though skewers are surely not the place on your bike to saving weight… it’s only a few grams for goodness sake! If you are one of the many riders who have to release your front wheel to mount your bike on a car’s roof-rack, or if you are a commuter that likes to lock up your front wheel along with the rear, the CLIX is for you. Easy one-handed release and installation will save you time, frustration, and a bit of greasy mess on your hands.

The only downside that I can comment on about the CLIX system is that (at the time of this review) it is only available as an OEM product on Cannondale, Trek and a few other lesser-known bike manufacturers’ factory built bikes. The CLIX website explicitly states that CLIX should not be used on other bikes, but I sense that that’s just legal jargon as some ‘professional’ installation is necessary for the CLIX to work properly and safely. I installed the CLIX on a Fox F120 fork and it worked like a charm.

I’m a big fan of set-and-forget type of parts. Like most riders, I want to spend more of my time riding the bike, rather than working on it, even if this means adjusting that silly front QR over and over and over. The CLIX is a part you can adjust once, and let-be for the life of your wheel. If you find yourself mounting and dismounting your front wheel often, I recommend you bribe the mechanic at your local bike shop to sell or swap you for a CLIX system today. You will not regret it.

Ride fast, ride hard, but always remember – keep the rubber side down!

• August 19, 2008 -- “Gearing Up” For Our Wheelset Reviews
• August 16, 2008 -- Mavic 29er TN 719 DISC Rim Review