help - my rear wheel keeps slipping out of the bracket - what do I do?

Hi. It's my first time posting so not sure of the etiquette but someone suggested I use this site to problem solve my issue.. I have a Tomassini 1980s steel frame with Mavic Aksium wheels (quick release bolts). Recently, the back wheel keeps slipping forward, angles to the left and the bike becomes unrideable.

The rear dropouts are forward facing, horizontal(ish).

So far, I've taken it to two bike shops and neither have resolved the issue. They've check for alignment and have tried a different quick release bolt. It doesn't matter how much tension is put on the bolt, it still happens.

Someone has suggested that I change the rear wheel to one of a similar age to the frame. I'm getting to the point where I would rather sell the thing off for parts and get a cheap, off the shelf single speed - I'm so over it.

Any suggestions?

Yeah you'd be better off with a nutted wheel

Am assuming you are using this as fixed/ss.

Serrated edges on track nuts could be worn out. Easy fix, buy a chain tug suitable for forward facing dropouts.

What Tommasini?

They said Mavic Aksium with quick release.

@TinyFarmer If it's being run as a single speed just replace the rear wheel for a nutted one
Edit:or geared, either way I'd replace the wheel if it were me

Most probably the drop out has become worn therefore the quick release is clamping on the shoulder of the axle rather than the drop out. You can look to see if this is the case. The quick release axle should not be flush with the drop out but recessed. If this is indeed the problem, it is easily remedied by filing half a mm or so off the end of the axle.

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could you post some pics of the dropouts?

Forward facing dropouts with quick releases are annoying. Sometimes it works fine, sometimes it's troublesome. I just like having a nice tight nut for a solid fit

How thin are the dropouts? How long is the bit of axle that sits in the dropout, or does the axle extend beyond the dropout?

You say " recently"? Did it work effectively before?

A wheelbuilder told me that steel frames don't always work well with modern skewers and that a period skewer could solve slipping.

Wow - thanks for the super speedy responses. It's actually geared (Campag Athena), would the solutions above still apply? I should have mentioned that. The first bike shop suggested chain tugs, the second bike shop said they wouldn't work. It's a Tomassini Prestige. I've uploaded a few photos for if that helps - apologies for the background, I was in a rush when I took them.

If you have an approx fix cost estimate and/or any suggestions of London bike shops that might carry out the works for me, I'd be most grateful. I'm terrible at doing anything myself. I live near Crystal Palace, commute to Shoreditch and London Bridge (for bike shop suggestions!)

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If none of the fixes suggested work for you and you decide to replace the wheel with a new one, I have a workshop in crystal palace and could supply a wheel/wheelset. You'd probably find something good second hand for a good price though.
Edit: you'd probably find something nice second hand, I'd recommend that

Thanks Sam, it's actually a geared bike, I've added a reply to the post with some images for if that changes your suggestions - I'm taking them all on board!

Before you go buying a new wheel, try an internal cam skewer. You're using an external cam one which can be fine in vertical dropouts but probably don't have the strength to hold it in horizontal ones properly.

http://handsonbike.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/difference-between-good-and-bad-qr.html

Chrome stays look lovely, but chrome can be a real nuisance on the dropouts, often resulting in unwanted movement like this.

Before you go buying a new wheel, try an internal cam skewer.

This, ie Campag or Shimano.

But do check the axle doesn't protrude beyond the dropout.

I'm not sure what a new wheel is supposed to achieve (unless it comes with a Campag or Shimano QR).

Those Mavic skewers are rubbish, probably worth trying an alternative first.

its almost always protruding axle, which several others have said. its super quick and easy to check...

Dibs if you can't fix it and want to get rid. Looks awesome and for once small enough for little old me.

#vulture

:)