windsor/fuji frame not straight?
 

hey all,

I just got a windsor track bike from ebay - I suspect it's a fuji because the dropouts, geometry, and components are the same (compared on bikesdirect.com).

I found that if you set the rear wheel all the way in, with both ends of the axle flush against the drop out, then wheel isn't parallel to the top tube. I could tell because it's 1/2 inch to the right near the seat tube.

so to install, I made the chain taut by holding the wheel back and tighten the right nut, then hold the wheel near the seat tube so that it's center, then tighten the left nut.

it this common? is it a big deal? maybe windsor's track frames are rejected fuji frames? also, how taut should the chain be?

thanks a bunch!

obviously I'm a noob. this is my first post. I had it proofed twice.

it is common on some frames. If I understand you post correctly. can you post a pic of the frame .

S/F<
CEYA!

k - I'll post a coupla pics tonight.
thanks ceya.

That sort of thing probably shouldn't happen, but it's not entirely uncommon and probably isn't anything to worry about. Half an inch sounds like a lot, but at the dropout itself, you're probably talking about only a mm or two difference.

It's probably just in the cutout of the track-end anyhow, which may be a defect but certainly won't effect the function of the bike. as long as they're parallel and equally spaced from the centerplane of the bicycle, you get the proper chain tension and center the wheel to align everything okay.

My Fuji is/was off, but I suspect it had a checkered past and that's why I got it as a stripped frameset: to hide the damage.

If you think it might be off, you can take a look at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html for a technique for determining if the frame is in proper alignment.

i actually just noticed that my front fork dropouts are about 1 mm off causing the slightest bit of unevenness..dremel party tonight?

thanks d, you brought up something I almost missed – I might have the inner end of the wheel centered to the seat tube, but if the dropouts are off-set than the wheel won't be parallel to the bike anyway. maybe adjust the stem/front wheel to account for rear wheel angle?

also how can I tell if the chain is tensioned properly? right now it's as taut as a bass string. is that bad?

thanks for the link bos, should've known to check with sheldon "when-in-doubt" brown.

pardon my ignorance, but is a dremel a small, furry animal?

I actually had to file down a half millimeter off of my fork's dropout to fit the track axle. you think that's ok?

This could easily be a wheel dish problem. You might want to check another wheel, or flip the wheel you have to see what happens.

no a small furry animal is a critter, duh! it's completely ok to do that..i've done the same thing to forks before with no problem.

Like another poster mentioned, did you flip your wheels to eliminate possible off-centered rims? One must always do this first before concluding possible frame mis-alignment.

don't dremmel (rotary tool) your rear do's. if you can ride your bike with no hands and not crash, don't worry about alignment. it's a lower priced frame, it's probably never been in the same room with an alignment table. your chain should be tight enough so it doesn't fall off and loose enough it doesn't bind. how straight (and round) everything is determines how tight you can run your chain.

thanks. I always thought it was frosty glass of rootbeer with a scoop of dead baby.

I got hopeful for a sec, but it turns out its not a dish problem. flip the wheel, the offset is still on the same side. thanks anyway, I think we can attribute this to a cheapo frame.

yea, I guess that makes more sense. the funny thing is I'm trying to think up a new sig as we speak.