Vertical dropout issue
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie

Joined: Dec 2015
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Vertical dropout issue
Hi, I notice recently the wheel was no longer aligned with the mudgard. It's the first time I see such situation where the frame got gnaw by the axle on the chain side.
It's not the first aluminium frame I scrap and don't worry for me I have many other ride but I was wondering if this is common?
Thanks
It's not the first aluminium frame I scrap and don't worry for me I have many other ride but I was wondering if this is common?
Thanks
#2
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mudguards can get misaligned quite easily. I have had that happen quite a few times on different fenders at different times. Nothing to do with the frame at al. Not sure why you would scrap a frame because your fender is misaligned but I am guessing you have loads of money and if so share some with us. I would love to have enough money to throw away a bike, I wouldn't do it but it would be nice to have that kind of cash.
If your dropouts are damaged post pictures so we can see what is going on and make suggestions but otherwise just adjust your fenders or have a shop do it. Not uncommon.
If your dropouts are damaged post pictures so we can see what is going on and make suggestions but otherwise just adjust your fenders or have a shop do it. Not uncommon.
#3
Senior Member




Joined: Jul 2015
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From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
straightening bent/out-of-alignment mudguards is part of every tune up i do. i just did both fenders on a Marin Hudson bike three days ago... and both fenders on an Izip e-bike last week.
to check if the wheel is ACTUALLY out of alignment with the frame, Look At The FRAME, and compare the gaps to the rim/tire, just behind the crank bearings, not a mudguard, ok?
ps.. the kind of damage you think has happened is EXTREMELY Rare.... i have only seen it a couple times, out of Several Thousand Bikes that were donated/abandoned/bought here.
to check if the wheel is ACTUALLY out of alignment with the frame, Look At The FRAME, and compare the gaps to the rim/tire, just behind the crank bearings, not a mudguard, ok?
ps.. the kind of damage you think has happened is EXTREMELY Rare.... i have only seen it a couple times, out of Several Thousand Bikes that were donated/abandoned/bought here.
#6
Looks like the bike was ridden with the quick release loose, and the limited movement of the axle damage the dropout. But the vertical dropout prevent the wheel from going anywhere.
Tighten your QRs, people. This could have caused a terrible accident.
Tighten your QRs, people. This could have caused a terrible accident.
#7
Senior Member




Joined: Apr 2019
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Likes: 1,456
From: UK
Mudguards can get misaligned quite easily. I have had that happen quite a few times on different fenders at different times. Nothing to do with the frame at al. Not sure why you would scrap a frame because your fender is misaligned but I am guessing you have loads of money and if so share some with us. I would love to have enough money to throw away a bike, I wouldn't do it but it would be nice to have that kind of cash.
If your dropouts are damaged post pictures so we can see what is going on and make suggestions but otherwise just adjust your fenders or have a shop do it. Not uncommon.
If your dropouts are damaged post pictures so we can see what is going on and make suggestions but otherwise just adjust your fenders or have a shop do it. Not uncommon.
because the QR was loose.
#8
SE Wis

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,548
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
#9
#10
#11
SE Wis

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,548
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
#12
#13
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Obviously inadequate for horizontal dropouts, but they work fine for either fork ends or vertical dropouts. These are widely used, at least partially because they're cheaper than internal-cam QRs, but I'm unaware of a rash of wheels flying off, despite the pessimistic predictions of some crusty traditionalists. The problem in this instance was that the QR was simply too loose and ground away at the dropout material. This was user error and would have been the case with any sort of QR.
#14
Senior Member




Joined: Jul 2015
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From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
Obviously inadequate for horizontal dropouts, but they work fine for either fork ends or vertical dropouts. These are widely used, at least partially because they're cheaper than internal-cam QRs, but I'm unaware of a rash of wheels flying off, despite the pessimistic predictions of some crusty traditionalists. The problem in this instance was that the QR was simply too loose and ground away at the dropout material. This was user error and would have been the case with any sort of QR.
the axle is now flush to the dropout's outer face... the wear will be found in the top of the dropout too..
getting the dropout welded up, when reworking it to fit properly, is a very highly skilled task that most people should not attempt, nor could do well.
the difference between "Level" and too far is a matter of two or three strokes with a file.
i re-dress fork dropouts on brand new Walmart bikes fairly often... the workers are instructed to use off-center wheels to "compensate" for the leveling errors, which actually exacerbates the problems.
Last edited by maddog34; 06-10-25 at 10:34 AM.
#15
#16
Ironically I pulled the back wheel over yesterday, on my old touring bike which has a very crusty and traditional nutted axle. I cranked hard to cross oncoming traffic at the lights, and suddenly no more go, while clipped in. Carry bike to side of road, hope nobody noticed (of course they noticed).
#18
Then you either didn't assemble it with the washers in the right places, the washers aren't designed correctly, or you didn't have the QR tight enough.
#19
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From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
meet the tubus disco rack.
i can see a few issues waiting to happen with this design... like, a heavy load causing QR flexing and momentary looseness when hitting bumps., etc.
https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/bike-...s-disco-26-bk/
i can see a few issues waiting to happen with this design... like, a heavy load causing QR flexing and momentary looseness when hitting bumps., etc.
https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/bike-...s-disco-26-bk/
#20
meet the tubus disco rack.
i can see a few issues waiting to happen with this design... like, a heavy load causing QR flexing and momentary looseness when hitting bumps., etc.
https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/bike-...s-disco-26-bk/
i can see a few issues waiting to happen with this design... like, a heavy load causing QR flexing and momentary looseness when hitting bumps., etc.
https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/bike-...s-disco-26-bk/
#21
Senior Member




Joined: Jul 2015
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From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
Always seemed like a bodge to me - if you want to carry stuff on a race bike use a backpack, seat pack, bar bag; if you want to tour get a touring bike, or at least a training bike with rack/fender eyelets. Or you can use P-clamps on metal seat stays, maybe not on high-end carbon.
#23
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Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
There's no such thing as a 10 minute welding job ... assuming you want it done correctly.
Last edited by tomato coupe; 06-12-25 at 12:53 PM.




