Replace a mountain bike front fork for older MTBs

Step 2: Remove the front wheel

To remove the front wheel, first release the brake cantilevers by pinching the cantilevers together (as if the brakes are applied), grasping the cantilever cable's handhold, and popping the cable end out of the cantilever. Now the brakes spring open wide enough to remove the wheel. While you're there, pull the front brake cable out of the fork's cable stop (which is built into the fork brace)

Remove the wheel by undoing the quick-release, or removing the nuts with a wrench.