Just a thought, a list member put forward the theory that a solid steel axle in tension would be difficult to break. Is a solid axle in tension? The bit between the track nuts and the lock nut, ie either side of the drop out, will be in tension, but will the track nuts apply any tension to the rest of the axle, which is usually the bit that breaks?
IMHO. Only if the drop outs are wider than the lock nuts and only then the small amount of tension that the "Spring" of the rear triangle applies?
Regards
Martin Coopland