Bicycle Mechanics - Rear Hub Spacers

I just built up an older steel frame and the freewheel was so close to the rear stay that the chain could not shift into the smallest cog. I had a couple of washers lying around so I placed them between the hub and the frame. This fixed the problem, but is their a 'correct' way to fix the problem? Could this fix lead to more problems?

Thanks

Yes you could respace the axle. Place a wider spacer before the locknut on the drive side. Most of the time it will work if you reverse the spacers already present on the axle.

This fixed the problem, but is their a 'correct' way to fix the problem?

No, this is not the correct way to fix it (but it will probably work just fine). You have widened the rear drop out spacing and this could affect the geometry of the frame.

I think (and I know someone will correct me if I am wrong) that you should reposition the existing spacers on the axle so there is more space for the small cog. This will let it shift onto the small cog while keeping the spacing the same.

But that would make the wheel off center on the frame. You would then need to redish the wheel to center the wheel on the frame.

This would be the correct way but alot of trouble for most people.

It is better to put the washers between the cone and locknut.

Do re-dish the wheel, you might want to spread, ( coldset), the rear triangel ( stays) and check the drop out alignment.

These small adjustments will NOT hurt a steel frame at all- common practices in many good shops

Ride Spaced
Pat

Sorry...

I just saw it was an older frame. So you are adding more cogs to a 126mm spaced frame. You would definately want to add spacers to the axle and not respace the existing ones.

This will widen the rear drop out spacing but that is ok and was just talked about in another thread.