Recently got hold of a Kona Unit 29r frame. It is the one with the replaceable dropouts so you can run it geared or s/s.
When built up I discovered this (ahem) slight problem. It is the same with both dropouts - (the geared & s/s one). I even tried a different wheel as I thought at one point I was going mental. My LBS have tried a frame alignment tool in the dropout on the frame it revealed the disc side is higher than the drive side.
Is there any fix or is it bin time ?

Bike Forum
Help me analyse/fix this frame problem
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Posted 7 months ago #
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its bent,bend it back again?
Posted 7 months ago # -
Presumably frame's not new enough to be under warranty / Sale of Goods
Is it bent ? steel ? have a go at bending it back into line
otherwise, how about grinding the "lower" dropout slot (depends what it's like I guess but if there's a flat plate with decent meat around it I'd give it a go)
Posted 7 months ago # -
Secondhand purchase so no chance of any warranty etc.
Yep, steel frame. Bit wary of doing any bending to be honest. That said not got much to loose as its just sat in the shed doing f all.
Either that or sell it on here/the bay, listed with full description of the problem. Someone more capable than me could may well sort it out.Posted 7 months ago # -
can't you weld a bit on the lower dropout?then file it to the right height.
saw this done on some p-roubaix bikes to get a bit more clearance.Posted 7 months ago # -
Why not send it to one of the frame builders / repairers if you don't feel like doing it yourself. Steel will bend a surprising amount without weakening
Posted 7 months ago # -
Any recommendations for frame repairers ?
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'd be interested in taking a look if a) you don't want it, b) you live in the southeast, c) some other excuse to have a play engineery style
Posted 7 months ago # -
MarkyG82 -
a) I don't want it
b) I live in the Midlands+
It's a 20" frame so you need to be a big unit yourself. If you want it to see if you can make it work make me an offer. It's doing nothing and I have bought a new bike. Up to you if you fancy getting all tooled up !
Posted 7 months ago # -
If any one does want to buy it as a project fixxer upper then my e mail is in profile.
Posted 7 months ago # -
pfft, you can bend the shit out of steel, it will be fine
Posted 7 months ago # -
Something giggly about your tittle.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Re a), b) etc. I'm a wee man so 20 is a touch huge. Shame as I wouldst picked it up tomorrow.
Happy to give my thoughts on bending it to whoever wants it though.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Steel will bend massively before you have any problems, its aluminium frames that are a drama.
Posted 7 months ago # -
File the dropout slot on the gear side to make it sit straight.
Posted 7 months ago # -
My mate had a cove foreplay with the same issues, he took it to Bob Jacksons in Leeds they heated up the frame and straightened it in a jig,tis perfect now, it shagged the paint where they heated it up but he was getting it powdercoated anyway. Hope that helps.
Posted 7 months ago # -
There's an article here on fixing the same problem but on the forks. Basically, bend it back quite carefully:
http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/align-fork.html
(Unless it's not made of steel).
Posted 7 months ago # -
Take it Brian Rourke in Stoke or Bob Jackson in Leeds,they will re align it for you.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Surely if the dropouts were uneven the wheel would not sit so vertically?
And yeah, bend it. Ifyou don't like the idea of that you could try cold forging it.
Posted 7 months ago #
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