Compatibility problems with components

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· 07.09.2006

New dimensions for modern road bike frames are increasingly limiting the choice of components because not everything always fits together.

Ever new dimensions in modern road bike frames are increasingly limiting the freedom of choice when it comes to components, because not everything always fits together. Advanced manufacturing methods are bringing new momentum to the design of road bike frames. But the variety has its pitfalls if the designers do not keep an eye on all the dimensions of possible components and add-on parts. The joy of a beautifully shaped dropout sometimes only lasts until you try to remove the wheel. If the preload nut does not slip through between the rear derailleur and chainstay and you have to unscrew the nut completely, the question of the purpose of the quick release arises.

Such and similar cases occur again and again in TOUR testing. If a bike works in one configuration, this does not mean that it will also work with other wheels or a different gear ratio. Even standard components from Shimano and Campagnolo do not guarantee this. In view of the trend towards customisation, it is therefore more important than ever to check the design and dimensions before buying a frame to make sure that the desired wheels, the planned gear ratio or the new compact cranks can actually be used.

Three-dimensionally shaped dropouts make the rear triangle stiff. However, because the eccentric of some quick-release skewers - for example Mavic's composite models - is slightly lower, the dropout prevents the skewer from being fully closed and fitting snugly.

With quick-releases without a stop in the eccentric - such as those from tune - the lever can continue to rotate automatically, causing the rear wheel to come loose. Such clamps are not suitable for 3-D dropouts.

If the lever sticks out to the side or to the rear, it becomes a potential danger when riding tightly in the group. The Campagolo and Shimano quick-release levers can be positioned underneath the strut.

The very light tune tensioner can only be closed with slim dropouts so that it neither sticks out nor tilts.

Some dropouts leave no room for the quick release to slip past the rear derailleur when changing the wheel. On Canyon's "F8", the preload nuts of Campa and Mavic's composite quick-releases have to be completely unscrewed.

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As confusing as the road bike market is, it is difficult to uncover all those cases where frames and parts do not fit together. The following overview documents the cases known to us and shows examples of where minor or major difficulties can occur.

Basically, however, there is only one thing that can help: to take a closer look at the problem before buying... TOUR shows examples

Rear dropouts must leave space on the inside so that the chain can run over larger sprockets without touching the seat stay. With Storck's carbon frames, space is at a premium: with a Campa cassette with 13 to 29 teeth, the chain touches the seat stay when changing from the 13th to the 14th sprocket, which damages it in the long term.

The same problem can also occur with Canyon's "F8", depending on the hub type.

The Isaac dropouts leave enough space for the chain to run smoothly even on sprockets with 14 or more teeth - for example on cassettes for teenagers.

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3-D dropout and quick release

Recommendation: try it out. You may have to switch to other quick-releases

Since aluminium has become the standard material for dropouts and the practical, interchangeable derailleur hangers have become increasingly common, the dropouts have become thicker and thicker - but the quick-releases are not necessarily longer.

If the axle of the tensioner is too short, the thread will not extend completely through the pretensioning nut. The tensioner may gradually loosen during operation.

The preload is provided by the aluminium insert, while the plastic extension prevents automatic loosening. The axle must therefore be flush with the preload nut on the outside.

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Dropout and sprocket

Attention: Storck's carbon frames are currently only suitable for standard cassettes that start with an 11 or 12 sprocket

The Smolik "SL" carbon fork with tapered fork blades is fitted as standard by Canyon in the "F8" and "F10 Ultimate" models, for example. It has wide dropouts with little clearance.

Wheels from Mavic and some other manufacturers can be used without any problems.

Campagnolo wheels with HPW hubs (models "Neutron", "Hyperon", "Bora", etc.), however, do not fit. If you close the quick-release, the dust cap of the hub touches the dropout end and is damaged.

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Thick dropouts and quick release

Recommendation: try it out. You may have to switch to other quick-releases

Large sprockets are often not compatible with design dropouts, here for example with Isaac. The threaded eyelet for fixing the rear derailleur is far back, the guide roller of the rear derailleur does not get a freewheel; the shifting behaviour deteriorates, the chain runs noisily.

Isaac has since made improvements to the extent that the new threaded eyelet creates the necessary clearance. Disadvantage: The rear derailleur and chain stay are so close together that the preload nut of the quick release does not fit through. Remedy: File (or have filed) to fit.

Campagnolo and Shimano set precise guidelines for the position of the threaded eyelet so that the derailleur works precisely. The dimension "L" must be 24 or 26 mm for Shimano, the dimension "X" corresponding to 4 or 6 mm. For Campagnolo: "L" = 24-28 mm, "X" = 4-8 mm.

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Fork and front wheel

Attention: Canyon's top forks are currently not compatible with Campagnolo's top wheels

On this Bulls frame, the angle of the derailleur hanger does not fit exactly. This means that the front derailleur does not follow the chainrings on the correct path, resulting in poorer shifting behaviour and annoying noises. Particularly with compact cranks, the chain is often thrown inwards onto the bottom bracket when changing the chainring.

On this Canyon "F8", the seat tube is so thick that the swivelling range of the front derailleur is no longer sufficient. The cage runs against the end stop, and the chain slips in the smaller gears. Front derailleurs for Campagnolo compact cranks are particularly affected by this.

The base height can also prevent the installation of a front derailleur for compact cranks. If the screw for adjusting the height of the front derailleur is already far down in the slotted hole on a 53/39 drivetrain, you must first check whether compact is even possible.

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Derailleur hangers, sprocket sets and rear derailleurs

Attention: Isaac riders who want to use large sprockets should replace the derailleur hanger

If cables are laid close to thin-walled and voluminous lower tubes, the result is constant rattling on bumpy surfaces.

On the CAAD 5 from Cannondale, the cables are routed through close-fitting stops. The cables almost touch the thicker area of the tapered down tube.

On Storck frames, the cables are guided in beautifully shaped stops that keep a distance from the frame tube. This also makes it easier to turn the adjustment screws.

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Seat tube and derailleur base

Attention: Socket derailleurs for compact cranks must be tried out. The problem occurs less frequently with clamp derailleurs and 53 mm chainrings

Down tubes and Bowden cables

Text:Dirk Zedler, Photos: Daniel Simon

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