msw@drux1.UUCP (Mike Walpole) (05/13/85)
> For some reason I recall only seeing track bikes with vertical > dropouts. Does this seem right? Track bikes have paralell dropouts. This is to accomadate alot of chain adjustment when changing the gearing without having to change the chain length. A track bike chain has to be very snug because it is a fixed gear bike. (ie. no brakes no coasting) Vertical dropouts are seen on some racing bikes. The main reason is to speed wheel changes. It is also done because some times on a racing frame the rear geometry is so tight that normal dropouts would not allow removal of the rear wheel. (Look at a Cannondale sometime.) There are some problems with verticals. One is that its easier for the rear wheel to fall out if the quick release is not tight. The other is that if the frame gets bent there is no way to align the rear wheel in the chainstays. Also Track bikes don't have quick releases. They use solid axles and axle nuts. (Who wants to have an axle break sprinting at 40+ mph ?) Mike Walpole