So, what do you think?

It will be fine. Have been riding mine that far out of the dropouts for like 3 years.

Getting 2 more links from a parts bin at your LBS,would probably be free. also, easy to DIY

Everybody gotta die sometime, Red.

My motto is "You probably won't die."

But adding a link wouldn't kill you either.

It won't cause catastrophic death and dismemberment. If it were me riding the bike, I would opt for another couple links.

Finally, a good poll.

I've ridden with just slightly deeper entry to the drop outs before. Not THAT big of a deal. Make sure to keep an eye on the chain tension so you'll know when the wheel is about to fall out. Also, I've seen people wear deep grooves into their drop outs by overtightening the nuts to compensate for shallow positioning. Make sure you don't do that. It would be especially bad at the very end of the D/Os like you've got it.

yeah... mine's about that big too. i want to go to a smaller gear... if i go to an 18 instead of a 20 i figure i'll be right in the center of the dropout... but i might not get up hills if i do that. i'm a wuss.

It take 5 minutes to fix that.. so why not fix it?
Yes, lazy people die all the time.
I wouldnt ride it.

you can probably ride it. but unless you regularly put in a smaller cog that needs the chain shorter, id add a link just to be safe.

I had a similar axle position on my around-town bike before my latest drivetrain renovation and had no issues - but I'm not a rough rider.

better safe than sorry, dude.

And if you meant "god" as in the Creator, then you should capitalize that "g"... because God is a very jealous "God" I wouldn't want to be on his bad side with a chain that short!

put another few links in for peace of mind. i'm riding mine like that right now and i'm constantly worried.

If your legs look like tree trunks, you might want to add a couple links, but otherwise you're fine. It looks like you still have as much clampage as on any other area of the dropout.

hope your city is better at fixing potholes than mine

death?

no but I have my dentist on speed dial and with a 49/19 gearing and no toe clips I'm going to chance it.

Yes you are going to die.
Nobody gets outta here alive.

i'm no beast of a rider, but going up a hill i pulled my axle out of the drop outs with a setup very similiar to that, checked my nuts hardcore on the top tube. (axle nuts weren't loose pre-ride, i'm kinda ocd about checking that schtuff)

It looks like a QR. And that seems sketchy. Unless you use a ten foot braker-bar to close your QR you'll be fine, otherwise, get some links.

Better safe than stressing.

woah, the poll is dead even! what does this MEAN?!?!

People!!!!
That's a QR axle.
YES YOU WILL DIE.

haha, if you have to preface that with "will i die?" you'd probably be safer just throwing a few more links on

I love how the poll is right at 50/50%

yes, but will you have fun doing it? Now Do You want to keep on doing it?