Bicycle Mechanics - Axle position on dropouts

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




View Full Version : Axle position on dropouts


rumrunn6
05-21-09, 06:35 AM
So I have a '70 era Schwinn Varisty. I recently worked on the wheels and tires and reinstalled the wheels. Regarding the back wheel's position in the dropouts here is what I did and have always done but I have a questions. I pulled the wheel on and pulled it back into the dropouts as far as it will go. The drive side stops at the derailer mount and so if I let the wheel find it's center on the frame and roll nicely and evenly then the left side appears to be pretty forward in the dropout.

Is it OK that the left side is not all the way back in the dropout? How far forward to too far? It is well within the dropout and the frame is squarely sitting on the axle. Sorry no picture at this time.

Theories or techniques for mounting and positioning wheels on old steel bikes?

THANKS


riot2003
05-21-09, 06:57 AM
Your description sounds correct to me. I have a bunch of old schwinn steel frames and thats how my wheels sit in the drop outs.

Ex Pres
05-21-09, 07:24 AM
Unless your shifting is not quite right I would use the method you're using. On dropouts without a separate deraiilleur hanger shortening it up you generally don't want to push the wheel to the back.


merckx_rider
05-21-09, 08:30 AM
Your description sounds correct to me. I have a bunch of old schwinn steel frames and thats how my wheels sit in the drop outs.

+1, just align the wheel to center in the frame and you're done.

noglider
05-21-09, 09:49 AM
You did it exactly right. If you want, you can find or fashion a spacer for the left dropout. This will make positioning quicker. But I don't do that on my bikes with derailleur hangers.