Trying to change the bolts on my singlespeeds sliding dropouts so it matches the bolt size on my Alfine. No matter how careful I am, every now and then I go out with the wrong spanner, (or both) meaning I can’t get the wheel out and/or re-tension the chain.

It has Stainless M8 bolts, 16mm long with a 13mm hex head.

I would like to change them for M8, 16mm long but with a 15mm hex head.

Does anyone do oversized heads? I’ve tried searching for them with 15mm heads but its difficult as it just brings up all the bolts that are 15mm long!

How about something like this instead?

I had seen them but its a bit cumbersome for a small camelback. I had a thread a couple of weeks ago searching for a compact 13-15mm spanner, the best you lot came up with was the PDW 3Wrencho which I’ve bought as it seems a good tool even if it only fits the Alfine for now.

Just hoping I can get these M8 bolts with an oversized head now…have emailed an ebay seller so impatiently waiting a response!

Doubt it, would be pretty specialist not much call for it. And it will greatly increase your chance of over tightening the M8 bolt.

Probably easier to get a custom made spanner

I was about to ask if it was feasible for a larger bolt to have its thread resized on a lathe, but the next size up, M10, is a 16mm head, so that’s no good.

Could you not change the bolts to capheads because you probably take a multitool with you anyway?

Someone makes a 15mm ally spanner I was thinking of a way of fixing it to the bike to prevent the wrong spanner moments as above. Other option is custom ally spanner 15 one end 13 other but it wouldn’t take much abuse, being ally and all

File down the bolt head flats on the Alfine to 13mm?

1mm shim folded round the flats of 13mm with some clever tags designed in to hold it in place…?

Never seen an M8 bolt with an oversize head, and I’ve worked on all sorts of odd vehicles and machines.
What’s the thread size on the Alfine ? It may be easier to get undersize nuts for that.
European M8 is usually 13mm spanner size.
Japanese is usually 12mm, if that makes it any easier to find a double ended spanner to fit both.

Personally, I’d go with porter_jamie’s suggestion of cap screws.
M8 takes a 6mm hex key, or you could use dome head bolts which take a 5mm key. Do you carry a multitool with these sizes ?

Use wingnuts on the Alfine and you won’t need the 15mm spanner.

Use hex head bolts for the sliders and you’ll just need a light Allen key.

Already changed the bolts from capheads (aka hex sockets)as you couldn’t torque them enough to stop the drop outs moving without rounding them off.

However they were alloy and shallow, perhaps some deep steel ones would do the job.

Thanks guys

spooky_b329 – Member
Already changed the bolts from capheads (aka hex sockets)as you couldn’t torque them enough to stop the drop outs moving without rounding them off…

I had the same problem on a Voodoo years ago.

The paint was becoming plastic under the pressure and acting as a lubricant. Removed the paint around the slider and used thicker washers under the bolts.

End of problem and didn’t need to be so brutal on the tightening up.

You could cut and shut a 13mm spanner and 15mm spanner? Chop them and weld them together.

My Unit has stainless steel cap heads on the sliders, they torque up well.

I tried to find out the alfine thread a while ago and no one seems to know what it is so finding a nut for it could be difficult.

I’ve considered cutting the open end off a ring spanner and drilling it for bottle mounts but then I’d need a tool to get to another tool

thepodge – Member
I tried to find out the alfine thread a while ago and no one seems to know what it is so finding a nut for it could be difficult.

I’m using these 10mm wingnuts on my Alfine

I think I got them from Velosolo in the UK though (can’t remember).

BTW Velosolo have a very nice lightweight alloy 15mm spanner.

tried to find out the alfine thread a while ago and no one seems to know what it is so finding a nut for it could be difficult.

3/8th x 26TPI

Wouldn’t this do the job?
http://www.screwfix.com/p/laser-half-moon-spanner-13-15mm/71901

Edit;
Just realised Breadcrumb linked to that right at the start, I didn’t spot it on my phone last night.
I’d go with his other idea of welding two spanners together then.
Where are you ?
If you’re anywhere near Kidderminster, I’ll do the welding.

Andy R – Member

3/8th x 26TPI

Oops! You’re right, it’s not 10mm. Had to go out to shed to check – I’m using different wingnuts on the Alfine. Too many bikes confusion syndrome… 😳

Ok, so maybe someone does know what it is

Where are you ?
If you’re anywhere near Kidderminster, I’ll do the welding.

And I’m in Cumbria (nr Cockermouth) and a fabricator if that’s any use.

If you’re a fabricator, you can do your own welding. 😉

Another idea, which may be of use, or maybe not, is that M8 bolts are available with a flanged 10mm hex, or bihex, head.
http://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Motorcycle-Hardware-Profile-Flange/dp/B005OUO3TK

It’s not exactly what you were looking for, but it would mean carrying a smaller 10mm spanner instead of a 13mm.

Hijack – Epicyclo: Can you recall/link to where you got the wingnuts for the Alfine? I’d like to do the same to mine.

bristolbiker – Member
Hijack – Epicyclo: Can you recall/link to where you got the wingnuts for the Alfine? I’d like to do the same to mine.

Thought I’d check which types fitted so you’d have a visual on what to look for. (These pics have all been taken on an Alfine)

Cyclo type – these are what is on my bike. Lots of cheapies about and some can break if you use too much force, but a lot of force is not necessary anyway.

Huret type – I suspect these didn’t originally fit this thread, but they do now. 🙂 (No, not me forcing them on)

Raleigh/Rudge type – the gold standard IMO. Be prepared to pay good money for these.

There’s plenty wingnuts on eBay but it’s a lottery as to what size they are unless you have a knowledgable vendor, but once you’ve used them you won’t want to use a spanner again, and you can get your wheel off in much the same time as a QR.

Thanks!

Are these any use.

A blurred picture of some M8x16 flanged set screws with a 10mm hex head.
They are not stainless, but they are 10.9, so a bit stronger than normal 8.8 bolts.
I’ve got plenty, so if you can’t find a 13×15 spanner and want to carry a slightly smaller separate 10mm spanner, I can post them to you.