This is a 90's aluminium frame with 130mm spacing between dropouts which originally had a 7 speed cassette. 2 years ago I changed the rear wheel for a standard 135mm and put a 9 speed drivetrain. I removed a left side bolt to reduce the OLD, it is about 131/132 mm so the frame does not stretch much. The wheel is a bit off centred due but the bike drives very well regardless. A couple of weeks back I noticed my quick release was not tight enough and the wheel was moving a bit. I tightened and kept riding.
First issue: I took the wheel out today and saw that the dropouts were marked by the axle nuts. The marks are deeper on the chain side, where it pulls. Also the present marks make me wonder if the axle nuts are too small in diameter and if I should add washers or a larger nut to bite on more dropout surface.
Second issue: More importantly the inside of the dropouts are marked and on the derailleur side there is a chunk of metal gone which means that when the QR is not in place and tightening, the wheel can move back and forth in the dropout.
See this video to see axle moving in the dropout at 1 minute.
Questions:
- Can I ride this bike? I can't think of any risk, the dropouts are chunky and the QR grip tights. but still asking for safety
- Can I do anything to prevent the wear on the sides of the dropouts? Washers? Larger axle nut to bite onto more dropout surface so that it does not sink into the aluminium?
- What should I do about the inside of the dropouts? Tempted to do either do nothing or add some araldite where the metal is missing and filing the marks from the axle thread?
All photos here:
Thanks a ton, the bike is very dear to me.