Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - axle won't fit in my road bike dropout

I'm working on converting an old Atala road bike to a fixie.

So I got a 700c wheel with flip flop hub, both side 16t. Tried to slide it into the dropout but won't go in. I think the measurement for the dropout is 9 mm, and the wheel axle is either 9.5 or 10 mm.

What should I do? I would imagine changing the axle is more complicated than grind out the dropout slot?

Another problem I'm going to have is the gearing. Chainring is 52/40.

Maybe I have to move the wheel over to get a straight chainline to the 40?

Just want a functional fixie to try out.

I would imagine changing the axle is more complicated than grind out the dropout slot?


nope

what is the width of the drop out and the width of the axle? if it's steel you can just jam it in there if the difference is only 5mm or so

what is the width of the drop out and the width of the axle? if it's steel you can just jam it in there if the difference is only 5mm or so

No. No. No. Think you have the op's problem confuse with axle spacing.

If changing the axle seems complicated, it would be a good idea to enlist some help in this project.
I'm sure it was done at some point in time, but I've never seen an old road bike with a 9mm slot in the dropout- is it possible that this frame was dropped and the drops are bent a bit at the ends? You can use a crescent wrench to open it up again if that's the case. Measure everything closely to find out.

If indeed the slots are too narrow the easy/cheap way to do it would be either to file flats on the axle or file the drop itself.
Only file the bottom of the drop if you go that route.

Along with Live Wires suggested items to look for, is it possible that the dropouts have been deformed and squished by previously installed wheel in the past? I have come across this and found a file to remedy the problem. Just something else to check.

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21829&stc=1&d=1247193105

Filing 1mm away from the dropout slots will take ten minutes.

I would imagine changing the axle is more complicated than grind out the dropout slot?

I was going to say swapping axles is easy but I've only ever swapped hollow for solid or vice versa w/o putting a different size axle in.

Got it to fit, one of the slots was a little tight at the opening and at the end. Was able to use another old wheel to jam it in. So I filed away a little bit in a couple minutes.

The old road rear wheel had a Regina hub and the axle still looked a bit smaller compared to the other wheels I tried, probably why that one slid in so easily. Probably a manufacturers oversight.

Now i just need to work on the chainline and figure out my gear ratios.