Two simple choices for the front wheel, don't air the tire till it's mounted (probably the better) or unhook your brake cable while you mount the wheel. In theory if your wheel is locked in place and true and the right spacing for the frame and the frame is straight, simply tightening properly will align the wheel. And yes that's how it works for those friction shifters... fun isn't it? it's because the front derailer starts inside on it's spring arm, so your pulling it back over to the larger gear. The back is the opposite the spring arm you set to start at the outside gear, and it then pulls to the inside. Reversed arm directions, reverse levers... I don't get it either but hey we're not bike gurus. (A note on rear wheels) If you have the axle unevenly spaced in the drop outs in the rear, you will have an issue, but it's easy to tell just look at the seat stays etc, and see that the wheel lines up in the center of the arch.