120mm wheels to 125mm spaced frame experiences

[emilmh]

I have done a search but not found much regarding personal experiences other than "it can be done".

I have an old road frame with 125mm rear wheel spacing and i'm trying to find a set of single speed wheels. At the moment i have my eye on some that are 120mm spaced track wheels.

I have read that it is possible, but i would like to hear personal experiences.
Has anyone here used this combo? and with what results? I don't want to stretch my frame too much. and i dont want too much unnecessary stress on axle bolts etc or something working loose etc.

Cheers,
Emil

[PeteV]

5mm is nothing for a steel frame. You will be able to push the dropouts in more than that if you squeeze them between your hands.

[idw]

did that on my racer works well. just got to pay abit more attention to centering the axel as the spring in the frame always wants to push it when your tightening the bolts

the tention in the frame will hold the wheel nuts tighter in place (kind of like a spring washer) keeps the chain tentioned longer to

[familyguy]

2.5mm of spacers (inside the dropouts) each side, check your axle is long enough, off you go.

Jim

[jaseyjase]

2.5mm of spacers (inside the dropouts) each side, check your axle is long enough, off you go.

Jim

+1, no need to squeeze the frame, just add spacers on each side of the axle.

[rustychisel]

+ 2. Absolutely the right answer

[emilmh]

Part of the problem is that i don't know the length of the axel, and if it was too short, well i'm limited in choices. In either case i would hope there is enough space to accommodate 5mm.

Thanks for the replies, it's given me confidence that i should be able to work something out.

[hartleymartin]

Can be done. My Raleigh Royal was originally 120mm spaced, had been re-spaced to 126mm, and I am currently running a 120mm spaced rear wheel in it quite happily.