Hello Redditors, I'm feeling really dumb right now. I just bought a Polygon S7 (https://bikesonline.com.au/products/2025-polygon-strattos-s7-disc-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike)
I can't seem to figure out how to remove the rear thru axle. The videos on YouTube seem to show all thru axles have a female 6mm hex on NON-drive side, however it seems my rear thru axle has it on the DRIVE side. Is this normal?
For reference, the front wheel has the female 6mm hex on the NON-drive side.
I've also included some photos of the rear thru axle, both drive and NON-drive side. The DRIVE side accepts a male 6mm hex tool, but the NON-drive side you can't even insert the male 6mm hex tool (I initially thought it may have been stripped accidently at the factory, but the 6mm tool won't even go in).
I would appreciate any guidance 🙂
by excitingusername_
2 Comments
Yeah, you can use two keys, one on either side, to help with unmounting.
Ideally you can use use the non drive side only and untighten it from there, but if it’s stuck, you may need to do it from both ends. Make sure you don’t round out the through axle though, because it’s a royal pain if you do. Give it a bit of WD40 or something like that and let it penetrate before trying again. After that, make sure the through axle is properly greased, on the body and on the threads.
Also, know that the reason the hole looks different on the drive side is because there is a nut there (I think it’s 8mm?), which is usually tightened to a higher torque, so it will be harder to get out, but also it’s okay if you messed around with it and accidentally tightened it a bit more.
That’s how it is on some through axles. Turn the hex on the drive side counter clockwise to loosen.