The Mechanics Choice: Salsa “Flip-Off” Skewers
February 6th, 2008 by Guitar TedThe Bike Lab is about upgrading your bike and building your dream rig. To that end, these are some of our top recommended upgrades. Most are things we actually use on our own rigs, or would feel comfortable recommending to our best friends. They are classic parts, smart designs, and in some cases new and revolutionary bits.
The list was compiled by Guitar Ted and Arleigh Jenkins, two real life bicycle mechanics and passionate cyclists. This is solely their considered opinions on what is a “Top Upgrade”. In the future, look for more “Top Upgrade” parts that will be getting reviewed here on the Bike Lab. For now, let’s get to the list!
What It Is: Salsa “Flip-Off” skewers: Okay, if this isn’t a classic part, I don’t know what is. Relatively unchanged since its introduction way back when, Flip-Off skewers also have to have one of the coolest names for a skewer ever. Of course history and coolness are one thing, but the part has to work too.
Why Is It A Mechanics Choice: Flip-Off skewers, which were fashioned to look like the whimsical body of Pepperman, just so happen to be very nice to your fingers. This is an unbelievably overlooked facet of most skewer designs. Flip-Offs have a very nicely machined aluminum lever and come with titanium or steel skewers in a variety of anodized colors to match your steed…..or not, as the case may be! They work and work very well, doing their job while looking great. That and the finger friendly design garner these skewers a Mechanics Choice.
The Mechanic Says: History, cool factor, and function are all off the peg with the Salsa Flip-Off skewers. Yes, you can find lighter skewers, or you could find skewers that work marginally better, but to have all of what Salsa brings in these skewers in one package would be pretty hard to do. These have been around so long, you might think they are only for retro-grouch vintage builds, but they are a classic and will set off a modern road bike as well as any mountain bike that uses traditional skewers. And don’t forget, ano is back baby!
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Hmmmm. While I do believe that the Salsa skewers are the best of the bunch for in-line quick releases, I still stand by the Shimano QR for ease of use, attaining proper security, and for use on a suspension fork.
That said, I do really like the Salsa Flip-Offs and they are my 2nd most favoritest quick release (1st choice for seat clamps), but want to also give props to the folks who had a hand in their original design because most folks may not know or have long ago forgotten: Ross Shafer, Charlie Cunningham, and Dave Garoutte of DKG.
Mike: I’ll grant you that funtionally Shimano levers are very, very good. However; they aren’t much for looks, and history? (Well, you answered that one yourself in your reply)
And I think that for a “traditional” set up, (Which I grant, is becoming more and more rare), the Salsa skewers still are a high functioning piece of kit that would look great too. I don’t seem to have any trouble with them and I’ve been using them on disc brake equipped bikes, suspended bikes, and various road bikes over the years with great success.
Once again, thanks for sharing the history here. You know I’m a fan of that.
G-T: I realized after I hit the submit button that all I should have written was the last half of the last paragraph. This is your Top Upgrade list and your list doesn’t necessarily need comments from the peanut gallery folks like me. So, apologies offered to the seeming contradiction to your upgrade list and I look forward to seeing the complete list. I am really enjoying all the content provided by the Crooked Cog Network - I salute you!
Mike: Calling yourself part of “the peanut gallery” is selling yourself way, way too short!
Feel free to chime in anytime!