Is it safe to tighten the rear forks this much for a fixie wheel?

Bicelli88

Hi all,

I have an alloy roadbike frame and I wanted to turn it into a fixie. However the hub of the wheel seems to be a bit smaller than the space on the frame and looks like this :




Is it okay to totally tighten the bolts making the frame bent a little bit inwards by this much?

Also, even when tightening the bolts to a maximum they seem to only get like 80% all the way. Is it also safe to ride it like that?

Thank you in advance

elbowloh

I'm not an expert, but I think you would be wise to get some spacers to fill the gaps.

something like:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VeloSolo-UK-CNC-SINGLESPEED-Cassette-Hub-SPACER-KIT-single-speed-COLOURS-Shimano-/380267449848

whyamihere

The spacers above won't work, they're for something else.

It looks like you're trying to fit a 120mm track spaced hub into a 130mm road frame. I agree that putting spacers in would be best, you'll need 5mm each side with 10mm internal diameter.

Bicelli88

Thank you. I got spacers but then I could not tighten the bolts when I put the spacers, only 3mm are left from each side of the hub, and the bolts are already somethings like 10mm

MattFalle

Deffo not.

Just go to the nut and bolt man and buy a packet of washers and space it out.

As an aside, how are you tensioning the chain?

elbowloh

whyamihere said:

The spacers above won't work, they're for something else.

It looks like you're trying to fit a 120mm track spaced hub into a 130mm road frame. I agree that putting spacers in would be best, you'll need 5mm each side with 10mm internal diameter.

Like i said, i'm not an expert, but deffo needs spacers!

Charlie_Croker

@Bicelli88 You might want to watch a few videos to help you think through the process of what is needed. Good point MF

Here's a start for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxxIGD7K_YI

arlowood

MattFalle said:

Deffo not.

Just go to the nut and bolt man and buy a packet of washers and space it out.

As an aside, how are you tensioning the chain?

Yep as MF says pop to your local hardware shop and get some washers to pack out the gap. However as he also hints - you may have a problem setting up a fixie with a standard vertical road bike drop-out on the rear wheel. Chain tensioners are available like this as an example

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dmr-simple-tension-seeker-single-speed-kit/rp-prod10009?gs=1&sku=sku31357&pgrid=60711843258&ptaid=pla-431660306395&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|sopoy0gN0_dc|pcrid|492020824724|pkw||pmt||prd|31357UK&gclid=CjwKCAiAo5qABhBdEiwAOtGmbrhMFXlZ0J38uyql0I44QvLeztPZmkykgYArt6YLT5gpbuTdIjEjsBoCkMoQAvD_BwE

Bicelli88

Thank you all for your help. I will consider finding a different frame or a wheel with a longer hub

MattFalle

https://www.santafixie.co.uk/fabri-k-white-fixie-frame.html

£79. Done. Two hours to bolt it all together and off you go.

Le voila.

elbowloh

Deleted

piker2

arlowood said:

MattFalle said:

Deffo not.

Just go to the nut and bolt man and buy a packet of washers and space it out.

As an aside, how are you tensioning the chain?

Yep as MF says pop to your local hardware shop and get some washers to pack out the gap. However as he also hints - you may have a problem setting up a fixie with a standard vertical road bike drop-out on the rear wheel. Chain tensioners are available like this as an example

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dmr-simple-tension-seeker-single-speed-kit/rp-prod10009?gs=1&sku=sku31357&pgrid=60711843258&ptaid=pla-431660306395&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|sopoy0gN0_dc|pcrid|492020824724|pkw||pmt||prd|31357UK&gclid=CjwKCAiAo5qABhBdEiwAOtGmbrhMFXlZ0J38uyql0I44QvLeztPZmkykgYArt6YLT5gpbuTdIjEjsBoCkMoQAvD_BwE

This tensioner is for a single speed free wheel not fixed.

Bicelli88

Can I replace the axle of the wheel for a longer one so to fit the dropouts of the frame?

Charlie_Croker

The one you already have (in pictures) is long enough by the look of it. Putting in a longer axle in will do nothing to help with the other problems you’re going to have
Think it through

Ben6899

The hub is too narrow.

MattFalle

And by the time you have sourced new hub, taken old wheel apart, put new wheel together having replaced some nipples and spokes you may as well have gone to Monsieur Bricolage and bought some washers to space it out.

Its a ratty fixie - washers are the way to go.

Or buy a proper frameset for dirt cheap like the link MF sent you above.