Question about MTB bicycle wheel self-release mechanism?

When I turn the lever to tighten wheen I cant close the lever, only if I leave it loose then it closes. This is on both wheels, is this normal?I dont want to ask at my local bike shop, he charges for information!

Sorry Im so thick, this is the first bike I've had with quick release mechanism!

Yes, the quick release MUST be lose before you clamp the lever down! Do NOT spin it tight then try to clamp it. The whole point is the clamping holds it in place. Releasing the clamp makes it lose to remove the wheel without spinning it off. The clamp should be firm but not super hard, you can break the thing clamping too hard.

As MR says, this is the way quick release levers should work.

I like to tighten the nut so that the lever engages and you feel a bit of engagement when about one third closed. You should need to put a bit of force onto the lever to close it the rest of the way. You don't want to have to put so much force that you hurt your hand or risk breaking the lever.

After closing the lever, be sure the wheel is correctly aligned in the dropouts. If not, release the lever and try again.

Hope this helps.

Here's a pdf you can print out and keep for reference till you get use to your quick release skewers.
http://www.nashbar.com/tech/pdf_files/QU...

If your local bike shop charges for information that is vital to your safety, you need to find another bike shop. Even a member of Congress isn't that greedy.

HTH