niccolo

For example, when removing the rear derailluer on an old road bike, I noticed the derailler was bolted onto the horizontal dropouts. Removing the rear derailler means that you are essentially removing one of the "washers" and thus changing the spacing. Is it safe to just bolt on the rear wheel with the 2 nuts (or should I add a washer where the derailleur used to be).

A related question: Is if there is a standard way to bolt on a non-quick release wheel. Nuts only? Or nuts and washers on both sides?

On my front wheel the bike came with a washer that is bolted into the fender mounts. Is it safe to remove it and just use the nuts to hold the wheel in place or is this not recommended? Thanks.

trackstar10

i think i get what you are talking about. if the derailleur was inside the dropouts, then get an extra spacer or nut to help space the wheel. if it was on the outside , you can probably just screw down the axle nut farther as it wont change wheel spacing.

operator

I've never seen an RD that's bolted to the inside of the dropouts. Everything else that's on the outside doesn't change jack about the wheel spacing.

seaneee

yeah, removing the der. shouldn't change your spacing. You might just have a little extra axle on the drive side.