How To Install Pitlocks

How To Install Pitlock Locking Skewers

Pitlocks are the top tier in bicycle security. Their unique design makes them the most secure, beautifully-made locking skewers in the world. These Pitlock products will last as long as your bicycle if properly used and cared for. The following instructions are an attempt to help ensure this.

If you’re looking for information on installing Pitlock through-axles or solid axle nuts, please see our respective guides for those instead.

If you have any questions, please contact us.


To purchase, visit our complete selection of Pitlock skewer sets.

Sizing Details: How To Determine Which Skewer You Need

Please visit out Pitlock measurement guide for specific instructions on how to measure your bike for Pitlocks.

If you have your bike with you, the easiest thing to do is measure your existing skewers. If you’re purchasing a new bike and are having trouble finding the necessary information on the manufacturers’ website, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help identify the sizes you need.

Pitlock skewers come in a variety of lengths, from 23mm to 240mm, and will fit every application up to this length. Detailed length information can be found in our measurement guide.

Installation Tips!

  • Be sure to grease the skewer before installation! This is not to prevent rust (Pitlock products are stainless steel), this is to prevent binding between pieces, and increase the longevity of the skewer.
  • If you’re installing a seat skewer, be sure that you’re using the correct pressure washer – seat skewers and wheel skewers use different pressure washers!
  • Do not overtighten the nut! The correct installation torque is ~10nm.

Installation Instructions

To install a set of Pitlocks, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the existing 5mm quick release skewer
  2. Grease the Pitlock skewer
  3. Insert the skewer into the bike’s dropouts
  4. Add the pressure washer. The “nub” should be facing outward, with the flat surface resting against the dropout. If you’re installing a seatpost skewer, be sure that the pressure washer you have is the “convex” version.
    Wheel skewers and seat skewers do not use the same type of pressure washer – seat pressure washers and wheel pressure washers are distinct. 
  5. Add the lock housing
  6. Add the teflon ring. Both sides are the same.
  7. Add the spring washer. Both sides are NOT the same. Be sure that the surface with “ridges” is facing the nut. The grooves on the backside of the nut will lock into these ridges.
  8. Add the locking nut
  9. Tighten the locking nut hand-tight using your fingers or your Pitkey
  10. Once the nut is as tight as you can make it by hand, use a hex wrench, or a Pitlock keychain tool, and turn the nut an additional 1.5 – 2 “clicks.” (You will hear audible clicks, and should feel the nut “give” slightly each time.)
    Alternatively, if you have a torque wrench, tighten the lock to ~10nm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit our frequently asked questions page for common installation questions.