Re: [CR]120mm to 126mm Campy hub spacing

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 17:55:03 -0400
From: "Norm and Val Lafleur" <nvlafleur@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]120mm to 126mm Campy hub spacing
To: "George Allen" <jgallen@lexairinc.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <6.1.2.0.0.20050608083837.01b23c78@mail1.lexairinc.com>
reply-type=response

An option I haven't seen in any of the other replies is to keep the 120mm wheels and change the the dropout spacing. I have successfully spread the dopouts on several bikes (steel of course) to allow for modern drivetrains on my 80's frames. The technique that I used was to get a threaded rod, some large washers and appropriate nuts then spread or squeeze the dropouts as required. Excersise caution and try for modest movements and stop and measure progress often. I was amazed at how far I could spread a dropout only to have it spring back to close to it's original dimension. Have patience and it can be done.

Norm Lafleur
sunny ( finally) Ashfield, Ma.


----- Original Message -----
From: George Allen
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 8:40 AM
Subject: [CR]120mm to 126mm Campy hub spacing



> Dear Listmembers,
>
> I've searched the archives and have found nothing to help me with the
> following issues. Most all of my bikes are spaced 126mm for 6-speed
> freewheels. However, they are all early to mid 1970's models when 120 mm
> rear hubs were the norm. It's not easy finding pre-1978 straight QR lever
> hubs or wheelsets in 126mm widths. So here are my options:
>
> 1) Buy 120mm rear wheels, change the axles and QR to 126mm and screw on a
> 6-speed freewheel. (there is a 5-speed wheelset I am lusting after on
> E-Bay presently) But are not these wheels dished for 5-speed/120mm hubs?
> Would this cause problems? What if one were to change the axles and QR to
> 126mm but use a 5 speed freewheel? Would this mitigate any problems with
> dish?
>
> 2) Buy 126mm rear hubs or wheels and change the QR levers to the flat
> variety. And if one were really anal, switch out the washers to the
> appropriate date coded ones. As far as I can tell, there is no difference
> between straight and curved QR lever Record hubs outside out the levers
> and the date code on the washers. Is this correct? I would hope purists
> wouldn't cringe at this option. Also, I would be sure to note this detail
> to any potential buyer were I ever to sell these items.
>
> 3) Buy 120mm hubs, change the axles to 126mm and then have the wheels
> built up. But then I'll need longer a QR. I assume you can switch out to a
> straight lever from a curved lever QR.
>
> 4) Find 126mm hubs and/or wheelsets with straight QR levers. Any
> listmembers have any for sale?
>
> Any other options? Any opinions are most welcome. I've always wrenched my
> own bikes but have never, ever, built wheels. To me, it's a black art best
> left in the hands of those who have built thousands of wheels. Ironically
> enough, I'm a wheel junkie. I probably have 4 times the rims, hubs and
> wheelsets as I do bikes.
>
> George Allen
> Lexington, KY