Weirdly compressed dropout
05-23-18 | 03:33 PM
#1
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Weirdly compressed dropout
Hello Bike Forum Collective Brain,
it’s been a while since I’ve needed your help. Today I received a frame that seems to have taken a bit of knock during travel. As you can see, one of the dropouts is compressed, and the axle doesn’t slide in properly. I have dropout alignments tools and I am familiar with normal cases of dropout bendiness, as well as cold setting routines. But I have never seen this before. My question is: do you think it is safe to gently try to pry open the dropout or will that compromise its strength? Should I send it back and clamour for a refund instead? Thanks in advance...
This dropout is fine
This dropout is smushed
it’s been a while since I’ve needed your help. Today I received a frame that seems to have taken a bit of knock during travel. As you can see, one of the dropouts is compressed, and the axle doesn’t slide in properly. I have dropout alignments tools and I am familiar with normal cases of dropout bendiness, as well as cold setting routines. But I have never seen this before. My question is: do you think it is safe to gently try to pry open the dropout or will that compromise its strength? Should I send it back and clamour for a refund instead? Thanks in advance...
This dropout is fine
This dropout is smushed
05-23-18 | 06:06 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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While I would definitely fix it myself, I would also contact the shipper to have them address their atrocious packing and the damage. (Unless it is just some dude on ebay, in which case there is little point.) You might get a partial refund or something like that.
05-23-18 | 06:10 PM
#5
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From: Roswell, GA
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
05-23-18 | 11:19 PM
#9
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
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If you have 3' or so of metal pipe of slightly bigger ID than the lower dropout face to bottom of derailleur hanger dimension, then slide it on, and pry gently 'til that axle slot looks straight.
05-24-18 | 06:50 AM
#10
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
You should be able to bend it back, but cast dropouts such as yours tend to be more difficult to bend than traditional forged or stamped dropouts. If there is a hole for an adjuster bolt, check carefully for cracks at the hole afterward.
05-25-18 | 08:00 AM
#11
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Middle of the road, NJ
Bend it back gently, a little at a time. Use a wood wedge, tap it gently until top and bottom are parallel.
And run a tap through the hanger to clean put the paint. And the rack\fender mounting holes if you intend to use them.
And run a tap through the hanger to clean put the paint. And the rack\fender mounting holes if you intend to use them.
05-25-18 | 11:25 AM
#12
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Joined: Jul 2009
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One good way to prevent this sort of damage is to use an old high flange hub. Not only does it keep the spacing set, the high flanges prevent the hanger from getting hit when the box gets dropped on the floor (which it will.)
Or you can make a wood block out of 2x4 that both fills the dropout slots and protects the hanger. Takes a bit of work if you don't have a table saw but it's time well spent. Doesn't need to be super-precise.
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