How to Mount Your QR on a Bike Trainer

Updated April 16, 2026 Includes Video

How to Mount Your QR on a Bike Trainer

To mount your Quintana Roo bike to any direct-drive stationary trainer, follow these steps:

Shift into the bike's hardest gear
Remove the rear thru-axle
Remove the rear wheel
Place the frame onto the direct drive trainer, ensuring the chain falls onto the cassette and the rear axle dropouts are aligned with the trainer hub end caps.
Reinstall the rear thru-axle and tighten.

Notes:

Mounting a bike to a direct-drive trainer is very similar to installing a rear wheel. You may need to swing the rear derailleur backward to direct the chain onto the cassette cogs. If you have a rear derailleur with an adjustable clutch, turn the clutch off to be able to articulate the rear derailleur. Ensure the rear axle dropouts of the frame are aligned with the endcaps on the trainer, and that the chain is properly routed before reinstalling the rear thru-axle and using your direct drive to prevent damage.

What kind of thru-axle do I need for my stationary trainer?

Most direct-drive or wheel-off trainers can be used with the stock thru-axle included with your QR bike. Ensure your direct-drive trainer has the correct end-caps installed for 142x12mm rear axle spacing. Please check with your trainer manufacturer if you have any questions.

If using a "wheel-on" trainer, you will need to use a trainer-specific thru-axle compatible with your wheel-on trainer. Please check with your trainer manufacturer if you have any questions. The rear thru-axle is an E-thru standard M12x1.5 thru-axle made for 142x12mm rear spacing. Trainer thru axles compatible with QR bikes and many wheel-on trainers are available from The Robert Axle Project.

QR Compatible Trainers

See the following to learn more about QR trainer compatibility. If you have any specific trainer questions or concerns, please contact our support team for additional help!