Spacing of the rear part of the steel frame

[JustMontyCycling]

Hey guys, so I've been thinking of building a road bike from scratch with a vintage steel frame that I have, the frame is good but it is a thing that's been around my head for weeks

1- The thing is that I don't know if the rear hub will fit in, because the space between the dropouts is just 130mm. Btw, I want to put 6 speed cassette (If I get more saucy, perhaps an 8 speed cassette)

2- Another thing is that has had this frame before told me the bottom bracket is English size (I don't know the proper name of it, hope you get the point), that I found out it to be 68/73mm. Is that right?

What do you guys say ? Can I build my dream bike or not?

Do you have any tips? I'm from Argentina if that's useful in some way, the market here is somewhat limited so if you recommend me shimano I'll be good, if you recommend me sram or other brands or models that are pricey I'll be compromised by the stock and the price (obviously).

But overall what most concerns me is the doubt if I actually can build this bike. It is pretty special for me.


If you need more information text me!

[Jesper]

(07-25-2021, 12:01 PM)JustMontyCycling Wrote:  Hey guys, so I've been thinking of building a road bike from scratch with a vintage steel frame that I have, the frame is good but it is a thing that's been around my head for weeks

1- The thing is that I don't know if the rear hub will fit in, because the space between the dropouts is just 130mm. Btw, I want to put 6 speed cassette (If I get more saucy, perhaps an 8 speed cassette)

2- Another thing is that has had this frame before told me the bottom bracket is English size (I don't know the proper name of it, hope you get the point), that I found out it to be 68/73mm. Is that right?

What do you guys say ? Can I build my dream bike or not?

Do you have any tips? I'm from Argentina if that's useful in some way, the market here is somewhat limited so if you recommend me shimano I'll be good, if you recommend me sram or other brands or models that are pricey I'll be compromised by the stock and the price (obviously).

But overall what most concerns me is the doubt if I actually can build this bike. It is pretty special for me.


If you need more information text me!

Hi Monty,

You should be good with the 130mm for 6 through 10 speed clusters. You may need spacers (couple of washers will do, but knurled if possible for anti-slippage) for a 6 or 7 speed since they will fit into a 125-126mm rear fork. Check the Sheldon Brown website and reference "cold setting" the frame. I prefer not to do this, and often you can just manually stretch the fork apart enough to fit a slightly wider hub. Also, you can put a slightly narrower hub into the fork and just use the QR to clamp things together. Either way the frame springs back to its original spacing without putting undue stress on the frame since you are only going a few mm in either case. I have done both and have never had a problem. If you had an earlier 120mm frame and wanted to go up to 130mm then I would consider the cold set method. The "cold set" method actually entails bending the frame to get a more permanent spacing whether wider or narrower, but I just don't like putting undue stress on the frame even if it can theoretically take the modification. I think you will be just fine for the 6 or 8 with an 8 being a perfect fit. A 130mm spaced frame is more than likely from the 90s or later.