Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Frame failure to axle width..

So what to do?

Anyway, I called Cycleart about getting a paint job on the Bianchi I found, aside from pretty severe sticker shock (300 complete).. I got to talking with a really friendly gentleman there who discused some issues that plague older frames. Now, I'm not calling him a liar, or anything, but I'm a bit skeptical. So turn to my resources here:

He said that often when you put a different sized hub on the bike, esp when it's concerned with smaller widths, a bike frame can experience failures because of the "squeezing" in of the rear drop outs. He said he's seen numerous frames with this issue. Part of the service he provides includes correcting the frame for a better grab on the axle width (smaller if need be or larger).

I know I've simplfied this, but I'd like to know if anyone has had these problems, or if it's just an issue that is rare, but something that should be addressed at his level of "touch" on the bike.

I's true. If you don't have the proper dropout spacing for the hubs you want to run, you need to have them cold-set by a frame builder, and have the frame re-alligned.

I's true. If you don't have the proper dropout spacing for the hubs you want to run, you need to have them cold-set by a frame builder, and have the frame re-alligned.

this is not really true.

In the words of the Authority on Fixed Gear Conversions (Sheldon Brown)... "In general, you can safely go up one size in spacing this way, just springing the frame apart. I can't give you an absolute guarantee that this won't cause damage, but the odds are very much in your favor."

Plenty of people do it this way without any issues.

William, the guy you were talking to sells a cold-setting service, so of course he thinks that cold-setting is required in every instance. By the way, selling a cold-setting service is pretty ******** on it's own, as you don't need to go to a frame builder or a professional to cold set your frame. If you want to do it yourself, all you need is a piece of wood. Again, gotta love sheldon: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html.

Thanks! That link rocks too!

I've emailed them to ask them the cost of setting it strait..

Using my half-ton home gym as a jig or frame support, sort of, I've re-aligned & re-spaced several steel frames in the past with absolutely no problems.

George

Using my half-ton home gym as a jig or frame support, sort of, I've re-aligned & re-spaced several steel frames in the past with absolutely no problems.

George

That easy, eh? Hmmm...

I did mine the sheldon way with a chair and a 2by4, no problems yet. Unless it's a *really* nice frame I wouldn't worry about it, chances are by the time it fails you'll have another frame to obsess over, I know I will.

Here's another vote for "go for it". Did it a couple of times on the beast. Never a problem yet. Just have a plan and go slow. No yanking allowed.

Dave


That easy, eh? Hmmm...

why not just space the hub/axle? if you only plan on running 1 gear (as opposed to a flip flop) whats wrong with just spacing putting spacers on the axle?
this is what ive done on more than one occasion...and it eliminates the need to cold set...

I think you could potentioly in long run suffer damage to the frame.. if you do not set the frame.. Now if going from 130mm dropouts to a 120hub I would not suggest it, but 126 to 120.. where talking 3mm on each side not alot. Better yet why not just space the hub out to 126 by adding two 3mm spacers.

I think you could potentioly in long run suffer damage to the frame.. if you do not set the frame.. Now if going from 130mm dropouts to a 120hub I would not suggest it, but 126 to 120.. where talking 3mm on each side not alot. Better yet why not just space the hub out to 126 by adding two 3mm spacers.

It seems like it would allow to much leverage on the axle, and the frame to put spacers in. I'm not 100% sure on this, but in would seem that way.

if you have a friend at a bike shop, i'd reccommend you take it to them for the respacing/realignment and don't watch. it's scary...they take out the kilingon war tool (Frame Alignment Guage) and make your bike look like it's made out of rubber.

It seems like it would allow to much leverage on the axle, and the frame to put spacers in. I'm not 100% sure on this, but in would seem that way.
Nope. No worries. Just respace your hub and be done with it. I respaced a 120mm Surly hub to 126mm. Then, when I got a new Surly Crosscheck I spaced it out to 132mm (Surly's gnot-right spacing). No problems.

When you guys say "frame failure" what do you mean? The rear triangle breaks off or something?

-Jason