Questions about off-center rear wheel.....
I've searched the web, and done some reading already, but still have a couple questions about dealing with this, so I figured it was time to bring it to The Matrix.
Here's the deal, I recently scored a low-miles urban commuter bike, a 2016 Diamondback Hanjo Metro, on my local craigslist. (I like the concept, the simplicity, etc, and the price was right.)
It's seems to be a smooth, nimble little scooter, but after a few days i noticed the rear wheel lines up noticeably to the left of the seat tube. It seems to line up vertically ok, but just hangs over a good 1/4 inch or so, while the right edge of the tire is almost flush with the right edge of the seat tube (there's a very tiny bit hanging over, depending on how I adjust and tighten the QR).
I've checked the usual things: the axle is firmly in the dropouts and QR is tight. I removed the wheel and reversed it (cassette on opposite side) to make sure the wheel wasn't dished improperly ( nope, it still lines up to the right).
As suggested, i tried riding with no hands, and it does seem a little squirrely, but that seems to be the front end, and after getting out of the driveway and getting a little speed, I was able to ride no-handed fairly well. (I'm normally very comfortable riding no-handed, so I don't know if the front end is a little touchy, as it seems, or if it's related to the rear wheel, but I'm sure it isn't just me.)
The frame is aluminum, so it can't be tweaked like a steel frame can be. Also, as suggested, I measured (more than once) from the front edge of the bottom bracket bolts, to the rear edge of the dropouts, and they both measure exactly the same (17.5").
Being used and from 2016, any warranty claim is likely out of the question. I'm wondering if this is a big deal (other than it just giving me a neurotic twitch ! :D )
I've read that a shim made from a Coke can may can be used to shift an axle end, and I've also read that some very light filing is possible, to pull the right axle end rearward the tiniest little bit (which will, of course, have a significantly greater effect at the front).
I'm not thinking Dremel tool here, more like a large nail with some emery cloth wrapped around it (done this before on other projects), and lightly buffing the back of the right dropout, pulling that axle back a tiny bit, moving the front edge of the wheel a little right.. I'm thinking about removing just a hair's thickness.
But, the big question here is, is this issue enough to worry about, and could trying to remedy it turn into a train wreck?
I think those are all the facts and details I have. As always, any good info, advice, recommendations,warnings, etc. are much appreciated.
Here's the deal, I recently scored a low-miles urban commuter bike, a 2016 Diamondback Hanjo Metro, on my local craigslist. (I like the concept, the simplicity, etc, and the price was right.)
It's seems to be a smooth, nimble little scooter, but after a few days i noticed the rear wheel lines up noticeably to the left of the seat tube. It seems to line up vertically ok, but just hangs over a good 1/4 inch or so, while the right edge of the tire is almost flush with the right edge of the seat tube (there's a very tiny bit hanging over, depending on how I adjust and tighten the QR).
I've checked the usual things: the axle is firmly in the dropouts and QR is tight. I removed the wheel and reversed it (cassette on opposite side) to make sure the wheel wasn't dished improperly ( nope, it still lines up to the right).
As suggested, i tried riding with no hands, and it does seem a little squirrely, but that seems to be the front end, and after getting out of the driveway and getting a little speed, I was able to ride no-handed fairly well. (I'm normally very comfortable riding no-handed, so I don't know if the front end is a little touchy, as it seems, or if it's related to the rear wheel, but I'm sure it isn't just me.)
The frame is aluminum, so it can't be tweaked like a steel frame can be. Also, as suggested, I measured (more than once) from the front edge of the bottom bracket bolts, to the rear edge of the dropouts, and they both measure exactly the same (17.5").
Being used and from 2016, any warranty claim is likely out of the question. I'm wondering if this is a big deal (other than it just giving me a neurotic twitch ! :D )
I've read that a shim made from a Coke can may can be used to shift an axle end, and I've also read that some very light filing is possible, to pull the right axle end rearward the tiniest little bit (which will, of course, have a significantly greater effect at the front).
I'm not thinking Dremel tool here, more like a large nail with some emery cloth wrapped around it (done this before on other projects), and lightly buffing the back of the right dropout, pulling that axle back a tiny bit, moving the front edge of the wheel a little right.. I'm thinking about removing just a hair's thickness.
But, the big question here is, is this issue enough to worry about, and could trying to remedy it turn into a train wreck?
I think those are all the facts and details I have. As always, any good info, advice, recommendations,warnings, etc. are much appreciated.