Originally Posted by
chris_farley
I guess I am wondering if I am simply ignorant of how to efficiently remove a re-mount a wheel in this bike. Are other SS/FG frames easier? I have looked around a little, and it seems that most commercially available (new) SS/FG frames have these rear-facing track-style dropouts. That design seems like it should be for track bikes, not road bikes! I can't for the life of me figure out why it wouldn't be better to have horizontal dropouts so you can just mount your rear wheel in 2 seconds without removing a fender.
There isn't a good reason. The reasoning is kids want to be seen riding "track" bikes, and horizontal ends are indicative of conversions, which are not cool. In actuality, most of the frames with track ends are so slack in geometry that they can't be considered "track" bikes. With fenders, horizontal drops are the way to go. Sounds like you would have been a lot happier with a Salsa frame or a Cross Check.