i got this bike off the street for real cheap and i'm taking it apart and trying to figure out what's up with it.

so i took the wheels off to put them on my other bike. the front wheel went on perfectly. the back wheel on the other hand...

i don't know how to speak parts, so i'll try to explain myself the best i can. the cogset is less wide than the rear fork. when i put the wheel on there is space between the fork and the cog. that is, if i try to tighten the nuts to install the wheelset, the fork tightens, like tensing a bow so to speak.

how can this be? isn't there a pretty standard width for a cogset to fit into a fork? these rims look pretty good and new (they look like deep v types) should i put some washers on the axle till the cogset is flush with the fork? is the cogset just badly built?

thanks

Cogset - axle spacing

fork - dropouts

rear fork - rear triangle

You bought wheels with an OLD (over locknut dimension, also known as spacing) that is less than the distance between the inside of the dropouts. You need to add spacers (NOT washers) until the locknuts fit snugly within the dropouts. Then you can determine on which side of the hub those spacers need to go to get the chain nice and straight between the chainring and your cog. Finally, you will probably need to have the wheel dished (rim moved laterally relative to the centerline of the hub) in order to get it centered in the dropouts.

Road bike frames most commonly have a rear spacing of 120mm (track/singlespeed), 126mm (vintage road), 130mm (modern road), or 135mm (trekking/touring). Your axle must have an OLD to match.

Did this rear wheel have multiple gears on it? What frame are you putting it in?

thanks for all the info!

i'm trying to put it on a relatively new track bike. aa windsor the hour. the wheel has a single speed cogset. one of the flippable ones with fixed and freewheel.

do spacers and washers look similar?

EDIT; the freehub (if that's what it's called -- the thing that holds the spokes) seems smaller than the one on my bike.
having the wheel dished is a big deal though huh? i mean it includes respoking the wheel no?

also, being a single speed, if i distribute the spacers unevenly on each side of the hub than the wheel would be off center, no?

Cogset - hub.

Spacers and washers perform the same function, but axle spacers are the appropriate inner diameter for the wheel axle, as well as being of a material suitable for withstanding the torque necessary to properly adjust a hub. Washers deform, spacers do not.

And I would suggest that if a track wheelset doesn't fit inside the dropouts of your Windsor frame, the frame is ****ed. Measure the dropouts from inside-to-inside, and report back.

I don't have instruments of measurement right now. But I do have two other rear wheels. Tried them both and they fit on my Windor. One of these wheels is the original that came with it and the other is my friend's real nice fixie. So I'm pretty sure my frame is up to par with modern track bikes.

It has to be the OLD and not the dropouts. Maybe it's just a badly built wheelset? It kind of looks like the actual hub is smaller. Weird

And the wheel doesn't fit on my friend's bike either. It has to be the wheelset.

In that case, bring the wheel to your LBS and have them put the spacers on. Shouldn't cost more than $10-$20.