So im looking into buying a frame for my first fixed gear, everything seems good on it, but the spacing on the dropouts is 128mm... is that alright for a fixed gear?

-Seth

Well that depends on what rear hub you are wanting to use.

Standard track/pista hub spacing is 120mm or 110 for older stuff, so you will have to squeeze the dropouts

If you are thinking of running a flip flop hub like a surly they have a O. L. D. of 135mm, but actually come to think of it I believe that they do have a flip flop hub in 120mm now.

We are talking about mm here.

It's fine to spread or squish the dropouts by a few mm on either side.

What is the frame material?

If you do end up getting a hub with a smaller o. l. d. (over-lock-nut distance) than the frame dropout spacing you can always put a few spacers in between the lock-nut and cone (if this will still leave enough protruding axle to thread the wheel nuts onto) if not you could throw in a longer axle and do the same.

so squeezing 10 or so mm is no big deal? Its a steel frame, so that shouldnt be to tough should it? I wanted to put track hubs on there, so you think that'll work?

Thanks a lot man, I appreciate it.

-Seth
ps...
If you can think of anything else I should know before starting to build this thing, or buying the frame, feel free to tell me man...

I would space a 120 hub with long axles out to 130. Pinching the frame by 8mm seems like a bad idea.

I would be more concerned about spreading the frame than pinching it.

Four mill on either side isn't that much

if I throw a 120 hub on there... what length axle should I use then?

-Seth

How would putting a 120mm hub effect chainline on a frame with 126mm or 130mm spaced dropouts?

is it possible to just use 4mm worth of spacers on each side? that would solve this up...

-Seth

All other things being equal the position of the cog won't change relative to the center of the axle if you respace a 120 hub to 130. I guess that's the point I was trying to make. Why tweak the frame more than you have to?

Chainline is mostly determined by your bottom bracket spindle width and what side you put the ring on if you're running road cranks.

What if you are running a track crank? I ask because I found a nice wheelset (NOS Campy Pista high flange/ NOS Mavic CPX 30) for cheap and I can't find a frame! The only frame canidate is 130mm. Do you think I would have issues with the wheel set and 130mm spaced frame?

Just by a hub that you can add spacers too. Best buy is an IRO. Then just at 4mm of spacers to either side. It won't affect your chainline at all.

If your axle is not long enough to accomodate spacers then it is also possible to buy a longer axle for the rear hub instead of squeezing the frame. i did this and it worked out fine. Yes you get the great experience of removing your axle and trying to get it dialed in again but that bit of pain will be worth it becuase then you will always know how to service your own hubs.

gnarley guys, thanks.... so what it sounds like is 120mm hub with 4mm of spacers on each side, eh? Im not sure if anyone said what axle length I should go with though... it think yall said 130mm...
Again, thanks for all the help

-Seth