Framebuilders - Steel fatigue in dropouts?

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littledjahn
08-20-07, 11:28 AM
The rear dropouts on my '86 Raleigh Grand Prix were out of alignment, so I took it to the shop where we used Park alignment tools to get them all squared again. Within 2 miles of riding, things had gone off-center again. Has the steel fatigued? Is it toast?
Nope. If anything, straightening should have work hardened them more and strengthened them further.
However, you keep having to straighten them, they *will* fatigue.