Wheel Centering

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

OK quick problem.

When I put my rear wheel in to the dropout it naturally sits close to the drive side chainstay. If I manually set it to the centre and close the quick release stand the bike upright open the QR the wheel clunks back in to the dropout and returns to close to the drive side.

I have measured both dropouts the drive side is 10.9mm at widest point and the non drive is 11.10mm and looks a slightly different shape both parts of the wheels I am using measure 9.86 at the part that sits in the frame. The larger dropout doesn't look damaged at all, all paint intact. It looks part carbon part alu.

With the wheel in the dropout and QR open bike upside down you can see quite a bit of movement in the larger drop out

Is this normal?

keef66

Ideally both dropouts should be the same, but they are often not. Flip the wheel round so the cassette's on the wrong side; does the rim still sit closer to the same chainstay?

If so, the wheel's OK and the frame's out of alignment or the dropouts to blame. If it's a new bike you may have cause for a warranty claim. If not and you can secure the wheel centrally without using unusual force on the QR lever, then it should still be OK to ride.

If it sits closer to the opposite chainstay it suggests the wheel's incorrectly dished, and a bit of tinkering with a spoke key may be required. DIY or LBS depending on your handiness.

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

Hi Thanks no its the same either way and with a different wheel

topdude

You have done some careful measuring and it is clear that the problem is with one of the dropouts.
I would carefully file the front edge of the drive side dropout to allow the axle to move forward until the wheel sits centrally. It is only going to need a few tenths of a mm so file a little and check often.

Bobbinogs

I really wouldn't do this ^^^ without a considered second opinion, one that is based on physically checking rather than tinternet and preferably one that is accountable in some way. Why not take it to an LBS and give them the problem to solve?

AK_jnr

0.2mm difference? What problem is this causing? Just leave it.

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

When the bike is upright and the wheel manually centred correctly I open the dropout and the wheel clunks in to place about 5mm away from the chainstay. So I am relying on the QR to artificially hold the wheel in place.