• 50s fixed hubs are set at 110mm or there abouts.

    Why do we try to convert measurements that were made in imperial into metric?

    It can so often cause unnecessary grief, as in the case of my broken steerer (above).

    Those old hubs were four and a quarter inches wide across the lock nuts, or 107.9 mm. So let's hear no more of 110 mm, because it's not accurate, which is very common with these conversions.

    A really mad brexiteer might want to convert metric to imperial, but the result would be just as disastrous - the best thing is not to muddle the two systems!

    However, the good news is - you don't really need to worry about the chainline (one and a half inches, by the way) because although the frame has been stretched out, as long as the hub remains central between the fork ends, it won't be affected. Just put sufficient spacers (on both sides, obvs.) so that the hub fits comfortably into the frame, and you should retain the 1.5" chain line. Of course, that's assuming you've still got the right length BB spindle.

  • thats great, very clear and helpful as always @clubman. I shall press ahead with the search for some double fixed airlites, harden or similar as planned...

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