Easily Remove and Install Your Bike Rear Wheel? Tips and Hacks

00:36 Basics of Rear Wheel Removal
01:22 Basics of Rear Wheel Installation
02:19 Quick Release Lever Placement
03:00 On the Road Removal Tips
04:53 On the Road Installation Tips

New to cycling or need a refresher? This video covers essential bike skills for removing and installing the rear wheel. Whether you're on a road bike or mountain bike, understanding this process is key for bicycle maintenance and dealing with a flat tire.
(AT HOME)
Removal
• Shift to the smallest cog in the back
• Open the brake levers QR if you have rim brakes
• Release the QR or remove the thru axle
• If you have a QR, you may need to unwind it a bit to allow the axle to clear the small "lawyers" lip on the drop out
• Push the rear derailleur forward to give the chain more slack as you slide the wheel forward, down, and then out
Installation
• Line up the smallest cog of the wheel over the lower part of the chain
• Then move it up until the smallest cog engages the upper part of the chain, making sure that if you have disc brake that the rotor slides between the brake pads
• Slide the wheel back into the dropout
• Tighten the QR and close or insert the thru axle
• Close the brake QR
• Note: if you have a QR, place the bike on the ground / release the QR to allow the wheel to center in the dropouts / tighten the QR until it takes mild to moderate force to close the QR (leaves a slight imprint on hand but not so tight you can't get it off). The brake lever of the QR should be position between the seat and chain stays to prevent accidental opening (not pointed straight back as some suggest).

(ON THE ROAD)
Similar to the above with the following additions:
Removal
• Shifting to smallest cog requires you to pick up the back of the seat, shift down one, turn the crank and repeat
• Make sure the brake levers QR is in the open position
• To keep your hands clean, use a stick from the side of the road to move the chain out of the way
• Be sure to lie the bike on the non-drive side to protect the rear derailleur and keep the chain from getting dirty.

Installation
As we previously showed at home but a little trickier since you must support the bike.
• Place the wheel such that the smallest cog is between the upper and lower part of the chain and lower the bike such that the upper part of the chain comes to rest on the small cog of the cassette.
• Pull the wheel back and tighten the quick release or thru axle.
• If you have rim brakes, don't forget the close the brake quick release.