The Columbia Manufacturing Company has been producing bicycles since the days of the high-wheeler bikes in the 1870s. The company produces a line of midrange, moderately priced bicycles for the retail market, as of December 2010. As part of maintenance on a Columbia bike, you may need to remove the wheels, which can be done quickly.
Axle Types
Columbia's models include bikes for children, cruising and comfort, racing and mountain-type bicycles. There are also vintage Columbia bikes still available in the collector's market. Columbia bikes use either older-style axle nuts or more modern quick-release mechanisms to hold the wheel to the frame.
Preparation
Detaching the brake cable at the brake calipers, if possible, or deflating the tire on the wheel will allow the tire to pass through the calipers more easily. For multispeed bikes, shift to the smallest gear on the rear sprocket to make removing the chain easier. If the bike uses a coaster brake, remove the brake arm strap on the rear wheel with a screwdriver.
Axle Nuts
For a Columbia bike with axle nuts, place an adjustable wrench on each axle nut and turn counterclockwise to loosen. There is no need to completely remove the nuts. Leaving the loosened nuts on the axle will help you keep track of them while performing maintenance on your bike.
Quick-Release Mechanisms
The more modern Columbia bikes have wheels with quick-release mechanisms, which use a lever and pin to clamp the wheel to the frame or fork. To open a quick-release, flip the quick-release lever on each wheel axle. Hold the cone nut on the side of the axle and turn the quick-release lever counterclockwise to loosen the mechanism.
Wheel Removal
Once the axle nuts or quick-release mechanisms are loosened, the wheels will come free from the bike. Pull the front wheel downward and away from the brake calipers and slots in the front fork. Pull the rear wheel downward and away from the brake calipers and dropout slots on the frame. Remove the drive chain from the rear sprocket.
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