BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Holy cow, how did that happen? Did you have King Kong tighten your back wheel?

Were you using a quick release or axle nuts?

If there is no tearing of the steel you could probably bend the dropout back to position cold then clean up the damaged metal with a file. One of the advantages of steel.

If that doesn't work someone could heat the dropout and bend it back hot.

Last resort, have the dropout replaced. In any case, I would have Chris at Thick Bikes look at it, he's qualified to do any of those options. And I'd trust him not to push you toward the most expensive one.

But you need to figure out why it did that and make sure it doesn't just happen again.

well, I've dropped my chain on a steep downhill on this bike... and somehow managed not to bite it. since then I've been extra careful about chain tension and getting the axle bolted down well... but apparently last time it was a bit too much.

also, the dropout was originally sort of a vertical-hybrid (the rear part of the dropout was filled in) and I sawed and filed it out to make it a horizontal. the dropout was never 100% clean and I think it might have contributed to this.

if it's just the bend, it perfectly ok to bend it back. but if you lost metal as well, then you might have some other problemos

Yeah, after thinking about this further, it looks like you've mashed out the metal where the hub and axle nuts sit, in which case, even if you bend the dropout back to shape, the lack of square edges will not give the nut a solid place to sit, and will leave the axle nut likely to squeeze the dropout apart again. Sketchy.

The fact that this happened with the axle so far back in the dropout really surprises me.

How much do you like this frame?

can this be fixed with bolt spacers to increase the diameter of the axle for a firm seat against the dropout and a couple of washers to bridge the dimple?

Yeah, I'm most worried about the squashed metal and how much surface area I'm going to give up once filed back down.

How much do you like this frame?

Meh, it's a mid-80's schwinn traveler I picked up for like $40 way back in 2003 to build a fixed gear before fixed gears were cool. Honestly it doesn't fit me that well and I've been looking to replace it but it will be a hard sell to the wife. Cleaning my modern commuter bike (Trek 520) for the nth time convinced me to put some time into the fixie and get it ready as a winter commuter, this is when I noticed the damage.

Then I'd say cold bend them back as straight as possible, file them up as clean as you can, go to the hardware store and get some oversized washers to cover the mashed part, and go with it. Another 5 bucks, it'll either work or not.

But if there is any sign of cracking at the back end of the dropout, can it.

i don't know if i'd use washers like that on a fixed gear. i'd want it to bite. 40 bucks for 7 years of service. i think you got your money's worth.

treat yourself to a new frame.

if you REALLY want to fix it, take it over to Chris at Thick Bikes on South 15th st (towards the river from carson)

@erok think I could find anything interesting at freeride?