Originally Posted by
TejanoTrackie
I again disagree. Let's deal with hard facts here. I happen to have frames with 120mm, 126mm, 130mm, 135mm and 140mm rear dropout spacing. I also have unmodified wheels that fit in these frames. I know for a fact that there is no difference in the distance from the left (non-pulling) flange to the dropout face on my 120mm and 130mm wheels (~30mm), but that there is approximately a 10mm difference between the distance from the right flange to the dropout face (~37mm vs ~47mm). So what this tells me that if I wanted to stuff my 130mm rear wheel into my 120mm frame without further dishing the wheel I would have to spread the right chain/seat stays 10mm at the dropout. When I visually compare the frames, it is apparent that the left side stays are angled out about the same, however, the right side on the 130mm frame is significantly more. Mind you, these are both road frames and road wheels, and MTB frames are a
little different, however, the OP's question relates to spreading a road frame from 120mm to 130mm.
The distance from the dropout to the flange is meaningless. The tires are centered on the frame. The dropouts are centered on the frame. Where the hub ends up is not relevant. Dishing corrects for that. You can have extra washers on the right, the left, or on neither side. Doesn't matter. The dishing is to return the rim to the center, whereever the hub ends up.
If one set of stays was longer than the other, then yes, one drop out would be farther out from dead center.