mrsteakneggs

Hi I've got a '79 Raleigh Competition GS which has the alignment pins in the rear wheel dropouts. I'm having a heck of a time keeping the rear wheel from slipping (with the end result of rubbing right up next to the chainstay, rendering the bike immobile). Currently, my process is to align the wheel, tighten the quick release, and then tighten the alignment screws. I can't get anything to work- I start pedaling and the wheel slips and falls to the chainstay. This seems like such a novice question, but I am truly perplexed.

What is the best way to install a rear wheel in these type of droputs?

demoncyclist

Either you aren't clamping the QR enough, or the teeth on the QR assembly and/or the axle locknuts are too worn to properly grip the dropouts. The alignment screws will keep the axle from slipping rearward, but will have no effect if the drive side is attempting to move forwrd under the force of your pedaling.

mrsteakneggs

ok. this helps. I am definitely clamping the QR hard, so hard that it feels unnatural. One thing I've noticed is that the quick release assembly is "too long" for the wheel- the side opposite the lever actually extends out of the wheel a little. This also seems wrong?

MichaelW

Most likely the axle is not properly centered and is sticking out too far beyond the dropout on one side. No matter how hard you tighten the QR it will never clamp an axle that is standing proud of the dropout surface.
Remove the wheel, check how much axle is protruding past each cone locknut.