Originally Posted by DiegoFrogs
It's probably just in the cutout of the track-end anyhow, which may be a defect but certainly won't effect the function of the bike. as long as they're parallel and equally spaced from the centerplane of the bicycle, you get the proper chain tension and center the wheel to align everything okay.
thanks d, you brought up something I almost missed – I might have the inner end of the wheel centered to the seat tube, but if the dropouts are off-set than the wheel won't be parallel to the bike anyway. maybe adjust the stem/front wheel to account for rear wheel angle?
also how can I tell if the chain is tensioned properly? right now it's as taut as a bass string. is that bad?