I’d like to build a bike and I’ve got this lovely Legnano frame. I’m not sure exactly when it’s from – the 1960s or 70s, perhaps?
The problem is, it’s so old that it only has 5 gears. There’s 120mm spacing at the rear, which means I can’t fit modern groupsets…
I’ve heard it’s possible to stretch the frame by hand to increase the spacing. Is this recommended?
I think the frame is made of steel.
Is it possible to widen it without damaging it?
I also believe there are tools available to do this?
Any advice?
Thank you
by Wonderful-Reporter45
13 Comments
If its steel then yea absolutely.
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Yes, you can do it on steel frame bikes. You’ll want to search for videos on cold setting. It involves spreading the rear drop outs and then aligning them.
Easily done!
[https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html)
Be careful not to kill the bike’s existing vibe. I like the cranks and chainring you’ve got there, matching the frame’s brand.
A piece of threaded rod, four washers and four nuts. Place the rod and two nuts and washers on the inside of the frame, and two nuts and washers on the outside of the frame. Work the nuts and washers outward a half turn at a time, while keeping the dropouts sandwiched between the washers somewhat firmly. This will spread the frame and mostly keep the inside face of the dropouts parallel to each other. I have a 126mm frame that has a 130 hub on it, but I just spread the dropouts by hand when installing the wheel, since I didn’t want to cold set the frame, and 2mm per side isn’t a lot. You might just try to cold set to that width so you don’t need to take those dropouts any further under tension. There will be some stress introduced, so consider mitigating how far you really need to stretch the frame. That said, that frame should be pretty easy to cold set. There are a few videos online, or check out Sheldon Brown’s (RIP) site.
yeah, totally doable, we basically used this method in the shop: [https://seenonthetrain.blogspot.com/2011/11/cold-setting-bicycle-frame.html](https://seenonthetrain.blogspot.com/2011/11/cold-setting-bicycle-frame.html)
you’ll probably have to spread it past 130 to get it to set at 130; though we used to do it to 128 in the 90s so you could use 126 or 130 hubs. The frame will need to be realigned after, mostly to make sure the dropouts remain parallel
You describe it as a “lovely Legnano frame”. If that means it’s valuable (to you or anyone else) I would suggest NOT bending it. If you have to, get it to a framebuilder that has the alignment jigs, and the experience.
Sheldon Brown was a wealth of knowledge, but he didn’t do the bicycles of the world any favors when he suggested that it was a DIY job that anyone could do in their garage with just some 2x4s and other paraphernalia. Once it’s bent, it’s not original any more.
If this were a Schwinn Traveler or Raleigh Gran Prix, I’d say go for it. Who cares, right? But if this frame is any kind of special, either leave it alone and ride it as a 5 or 6 speed, or get it to a professional.
You will see a lot of people who disagree and will tell you it’s fine. Use good judgement, depending on how valuable that frame really is.
Search YouTube for RJ the Bike Guy he has a video on cold setting…and lots of other diy bike wrenching topics.
We do this sort of thing in our shop regularly. Long piece of wood, carefully!
Yes, steel can be cold set safely. Work slow, because you only need to move it an 1/8 inch per side.
Some rear hubs can also be skimmed down slightly on the non-driveside and redished
Yes, easy, just go to 126 and you can get 8-9 speeds in….
An actual “10 speed” from the time when the term was synonymous with “road bike.” 😂