HELP! Back Wheel's Trying to Escape.....

[smokeysmoo]

I've finished building my winter hack, (so I thought!). An 80's Peugeot that I've converted to 10 speed with a Campag Veloce gruppo. I was going to go for a quick shakedown ride this evening, but as soon as I put any weight on the right pedal, (drive side), the back wheel is getting pulled out of the dropouts!!!!

Could this be caused by the fact I know the chain is a bit too short, or could it be something entirely different. I'm using HALO HEX KEY SKEWERS, but believing the rear one needed tightening I've gone and bloody snapped it

Has anyone had this before, what was causing it and what did you do to fix it?

All help appreciated, I was hoping this build was finished but it now seems I've hit a mountain

 

[Herzog]

Sounds like you have too much axle protruding from the dropouts...

 

[gbb]

Chain being too short shouldnt cause that (IMO), skewer seem the most likely problem smokey.

Edited to say, herzog may be right, some cheap frames only have very thin dropouts, that means your skewer nut wont grip the dropout. If thats the case, perhaps a washer with an ID the same or slighly larger than the axle may get you out of trouble. Place it between the dropout and the skewer 'nut'.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks guys, I'll try your suggestions when I get a new skewer

 

[Herzog]

Chain being too short shouldnt cause that (IMO), skewer seem the most likely problem smokey.

Edited to say, herzog may be right, some cheap frames only have very thin dropouts, that means your skewer nut wont grip the dropout. If thats the case, perhaps a washer with an ID the same or slighly larger than the axle may get you out of trouble. Place it between the dropout and the skewer 'nut'.

That's exactly what I had to do on a recent conversion of mine...worked a treat.

 

[byegad]

I had that on a cheap Scott hybrid I bought from an LBS in 2002. They tried all kinds of solutions and eventually replaced the QR rear wheel with a bolted axle wheel. I think the problem was twofold;
1. The frame had almost horizontal drop outs. and
2. I'm a big lad and could easily pull the wheel forward when held by a QR.

 

[Red Light]

Thanks guys, I'll try your suggestions when I get a new skewer

Get a stock Shimano skewer. They always work where as the aftermarket ones can be very variable in how much grip they have.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Sounds like you have too much axle protruding from the dropouts...

Spoke to my LBS today, and he suggested the same thing. Also said the rear triangle could be out of line, but the wheel sit square so I don't think that's an issue.

Chain being too short shouldnt cause that (IMO), skewer seem the most likely problem smokey.

Edited to say, herzog may be right, some cheap frames only have very thin dropouts, that means your skewer nut wont grip the dropout. If thats the case, perhaps a washer with an ID the same or slighly larger than the axle may get you out of trouble. Place it between the dropout and the skewer 'nut'.

Thanks for that, just waiting for a new skewer so I can give it a go

That's exactly what I had to do on a recent conversion of mine...worked a treat.

Chers Herzog, any chance of a picture of your back wheel with the washer/spacer in situ?

I had that on a cheap Scott hybrid I bought from an LBS in 2002. They tried all kinds of solutions and eventually replaced the QR rear wheel with a bolted axle wheel. I think the problem was twofold;
1. The frame had almost horizontal drop outs. and
2. I'm a big lad and could easily pull the wheel forward when held by a QR.

Thanks for that Bye. It's an old 80's Peuegot frame, and it's only Carbolite so it's definately cheap. The skewer I was using was a bolted type though, not a QR, so I would have thought it was strong enough, maybe not?

Get a stock Shimano skewer. They always work where as the aftermarket ones can be very variable in how much grip they have.

Cheers RL, the Halo Hex skewer I was using is a bolt type, so I'd have thought it would have more bite than a QR skewer, I'm very happy to be wrong about that though?

 

[Herzog]

Chers Herzog, any chance of a picture of your back wheel with the washer/spacer in situ?

Normally that wouldn't be a problem. However, the bike is now in England, and I'm now in Switzerland (my use of the term recent was a bit loose!)

 

[smokeysmoo]

Normally that wouldn't be a problem. However, the bike is now in England, and I'm now in Switzerland (my use of the term recent was a bit loose!)

Fair enough

 

[smokeysmoo]

Get a stock Shimano skewer. They always work where as the aftermarket ones can be very variable in how much grip they have.

Any chance of posting a link RL? I've googled 'Shimano Skewer' and needless to say there are shed loads of different ones. Which would you recommend?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Fingers crossed I've sussed it I've cleaned all the paint off the dropouts, put some washers on the axle and fitted the new skewer, (still Halo Hex one for the moment ), I also moved the wheel forward slightly in the dropouts, (don't know if this assisted the fix in anyway?)

Anyhoo, rode around our close and initially it slipped as I started up the hill that leads out of the cul-de-sac, so back to the shed, added one more washer on each side of the axle and set off again, (gingerly), then got carried away and rode a 4 mile loop. It rides very well indeed, (pics to follow), gears need fettling and mudguards stays need trimming a bit more, but apart from that I'm very happy with it.

The washers I used were just some flat ones I had in the shed, so I'll probably swop them out for some star washers or similar, (any suggestions welcome?) before I commit to a full ride.

Thanks for your suggestions guys, CC to the rescue once again

 

[gbb]

Fingers crossed I've sussed it I've cleaned all the paint off the dropouts, put some washers on the axle and fitted the new skewer, (still Halo Hex one for the moment ), I also moved the wheel forward slightly in the dropouts, (don't know if this assisted the fix in anyway?)

Anyhoo, rode around our close and initially it slipped as I started up the hill that leads out of the cul-de-sac, so back to the shed, added one more washer on each side of the axle and set off again, (gingerly), then got carried away and rode a 4 mile loop. It rides very well indeed, (pics to follow), gears need fettling and mudguards stays need trimming a bit more, but apart from that I'm very happy with it.

The washers I used were just some flat ones I had in the shed, so I'll probably swop them out for some star washers or similar, (any suggestions welcome?) before I commit to a full ride.

Thanks for your suggestions guys, CC to the rescue once again

I'd suggest the flat ones will be fine, after all, they're only widening an already flat surface. If you use star type washers, they work fine with nuts but a QR may not compress them enough...and leave you in the same position.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'd suggest the flat ones will be fine, after all, they're only widening an already flat surface. If you use star type washers, they work fine with nuts but a QR may not compress them enough...and leave you in the same position.

I'm actually using THESE skewers not QR. I've not been back out since the other night's loop, but I'll be out tomorrow morning, so fingers crossed