Incorrectly Spaced Hub
Hey-
I have a 1988 Schwinn Prelude that I bought used recently (a roadbike from the era) and one day I removed the front wheel to lock both wheels together, and it seemed difficult to remove but I ignored it. Then when I went to put it back on it was impossible. The spacers (I think that's the right term) were too wide for the fork. I eventually enlisted friends and two of us pulled the fork apart while another put in the wheel, but it was very difficult. I bought the bike used about a month ago, so I don't know its history, but both hubs and rims look original and have identical quick release skewers which makes me think they're the original set, as it looks like it the cassette on the rear wheel is original (I hope I got that term right too).
Is it possible that it's normal for me to need to jam the wheel in there? Or is it more likely that the front hub is spaced incorrectly and I'm slowly destroying the fork by having this wheel on.
I hope I was descriptive enough; thanks for your help.