Modifying dropouts

amaferanga

I have a steel mtb frame with vertical dropouts that I want to modify a bit so that it'll take a hub gear without the need for a chain tensioner i.e. I want slightly horizontal dropouts.

First question is should I even be considering doing this?

Second question is what would be the easiest way to do it? Filing by hand would take days wouldn't it????

Thanks.


Mike

redvee

Filing vert dropouts into horizontal :shock: You'd be better off getting the dropouts replaced at a frambuilders but that is expensive when you include the respray needed. It might be worth playing with chainring/sprocket combos to get a magic gear with no need for a tensioner.

Raph

"First question is should I even be considering doing this"

Probably not. FIling wouldn't take days but by the time you've got enough leeway for adjustment it might not leave enough metal around the slot for a strong enough drop out. Trouble is, you need to have the hub gear to hand to find out how much adjustment you're going to need, it might just happen to go on with the vertical drop out by complete chance without any need for adjustment (slim chance, but it might!).

If you really like that frame then I'd get horizontal drop outs brazed on and re-paint or chrome them. Expensive but worth it if you're keen on keeping it.

amaferanga

Its just a cheap frame I picked up on ebay. Needs a respray anyway so that cost isn't a problem. I figured I wouldn't need to remove too much from the dropouts to get the adjustment I need (assuming I mess around with chainring/cog combinations - I've got 2 combinations already that give me the right gearing).

Reckon I'll just give it a go - if I trash the frame it's no big deal.

Dai_bach

Have a look at http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html for a few ideas