Manufacturers' OLN measurements - true or false?

[Globalti]

Went along to my LBS to talk about wheels, though I wasn't able to take my frame along. My rear dropouts are 128mm and on Shimano's website their middle range hubs (Sora, Tiagra, 105) are given as 130mm OLN (over lock nut) length yet the mechanic at the LBS tried to convince me that they are all actually nearer to 142 mm. If he's right, I'm back to square one because I've just tried to spring my frame to 142 using a threaded bar and some nuts and it won't go that far.

Who is right?

I'm going back tomorrow with the frame to find out! They have some nice factory built wheelsets with Sora hubs, Mavic open pro rims and DB spokes for £130, or Tiagra for £140, which would be ideal for me.

 

[kyuss]

Shimano are right. Your LBS are being stupid and mixing up OLN and axle lengths. The OLN is 130, the axle 141. They'll fit just fine, no need to reset the frame, I'd imagine it would handle the 1mm difference on either side.

I'd get a new LBS if they can't tell the difference between OLN and axle length.

 

[hubgearfreak]

I'd get a new LBS if they can't tell the difference between OLN and axle length.

me too

 

[Steve Austin]

Generally speaking geared roadbikes are all 130 oln. Anything built in the last 20 years will be.

 

[Globalti]

YES! Took the frame along this morning and the wheel fitted perfectly. Can't afford 'em though until I get paid and anyway he wants to true them.

This will give my 1990 bike modern Tiagra hubs with butted spokes and Mavic Open pro rims with a freehub so I can have an 8 speed MTB block with a really wide 11-32 range or switch to a road cassette if I want.

New wheels next week! New wheels next week! New wheels next week! New wheels next week!

 

[andrew_s]

If the OLN on the frame was 128mm, it would have been built that way to allow the fitting of either 126mm OLN hubs (6-speed) or 130mm OLN hubs (7-speed).
1990 would be about the right period. Some bikes nowadays are built 132mm to allow the use of either road or MTB hubs.