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"thru-axles tie the fork or frame together in a much stronger, stiffer way"
I don't believe reviews that are based on rider feel. If he had some kind of device measuring flex in the fork legs I'd pay more attention to it. Maybe it doesn't make any diff. in rigid forks but without data it's not swaying me either way.
hippy-
Yeah. I've been trying to find science, not having much luck.
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You sure you need something you have never tested only because it is better?
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"thru-axles tie the fork or frame together in a much stronger, stiffer way"
I've been looking at the QR vs Thru Axle for months before buying a frame... was a main splitter between the options available as a frameset:
I've asked framebuilders: Arregui Velazquez and Perucha, and they just talked about "a well done fork with a good quick release will always stay in the same spot". But sounded to me like "I just trust the traditional way, thru axles are for hipsters"
I've asked frame designers (Dom Mason from Mason Cycles and Bruce Dalton from KinesisUK), and the both responses was a mixed "It's really not necessary & the standards for thru-axle are still settling down". Didn't convince me too much because of the second part sounded like "I don't want to use it because my parts may end up trapped with a deprecated measure"
I've tried discs with QR on a full carbon frameset (Giant Avail, yes a small size for me) and couldn't get it to squeak even doing some cross-country with it (don't tell my girlfriend!) and trying to flex the fork in tight corners. But still was just a ride in the park.. not my usual long ride.
I've tried thru axle in a Cube and couldn't feel anything different on a bumpy road (not my first thru-axle... I've been riding a Salsa DosNiner with a RockShox Reba 20mm axle for the last 4 years). That was my only reason for QR... I've enjoyed a lot my 29er fork, but it's a different riding surface.
I've talked to other mates that ride really hard climbs/descents in Asturias with Cannondale and BMC disc models, and no problems reported. Although they use 140mm rotors (but weight 1/3 less than me), so took the advice as a partial win for QR.
So what I finally took the QR option to not complicate myself yet with one thru-axle standard. But bought a wheelset with hubs that could be adapted in the future ( front: QR or 15mm, rear: QR or 12mm). I'll be a fork away to fix the problem if my Kinesis Racelight 4S Disc gives me any problem.
PS: Also you can ask Josh Ibbett about his last year TCR with QR on a Mason Definition, many others riders got QR with discs as well, and I haven't found a problem report about it
atk
fussballclub
bertocq
Thought it was more for security of the hub when it comes to rigid forks... Read a few (non scientific) things that suggest there's not much difference when it comes to rigid forks e.g. http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/rigid-fork-shootout-qr-open-dropout-vs-thru-axle/