Interesting Fit "Problem"

My_Aching_Fiets said:

What to do?

Use the wheels as the are. The slight widening of the frame to accomodate the wheel will be no problem-a minor inconvenience when putting the wheel back in, but no problem.

Ride it!!!!

It wasn't until I got involved in the forums that I even realized that bikes had standard spacing.

Back in the day (translated long ago, in a land far away), I assumed that the rear dropouts were intentionally wider than the wheels I used so that the wheel nuts could pull them together after the wheel had easily slid in. (Does anyone else remember the pre-quick release days?)

I have seen forum entries about gently bending each of the rear stays to accomodate a different sized hub (either narrower or wider) in the non-tensioned state. I had already decided that I would let the bike find its own center if I ever mounted a wheel with a hub width difference... This in fact seems like a valid approach unless the chain stays and seat stays are non-symmetric... (don't count the derailleur hanger, just the stays themselves)

Since your experiment shows no tracking issues, and I assume no significant chain alignment differences (the other potential issue), I would say it tends to confirm my hypothesis.

If you were talking a few cm or more, I would have only minor hesitation in suggesting it to you, and would still just muscle it if it were mine. However, in the 1 - 2 mm range, I think you are well within tolerances for good handling and safety by almost anyone's standards.

Hey, thanks to both of you guys!

I appreciate it!