Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Not of the washers are flat. In any case, front axles don't bend from potholes. In fact it isn't potholes that bends and break rear axles, it's chain tension.
I've seen too many bent axles on free wheel equipped rears with derailleurs (therefore no excessive chain tension) to buy that argument.
A "normal" front axle is supported next to the cones. (and I have seen SLIGHTLY bent front axles)
I just opined that spacing the cones away from the fork would result in an axle that is more prone to bend.