How to Adjust Horizontal Dropouts

Co-authored by Jonas Jackel and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References

Horizontal dropouts are the horizontal slots that hold the axle of your rear bike wheel fits so you can easily take it off when you need to. Any bike can have horizontal dropouts, but the wheel may skew or the chain could loosen the more you ride it.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jonas Jackel
Owner, Huckleberry Bicycles

Expert Interview. 18 February 2020.} Luckily, you can easily readjust the wheel at home using a few simple tools. If the chain feels slack, all you need to do is reposition the wheel in the dropouts. If you notice the wheel brushes against the frame or brake pads, you may need to change the dropouts’ screws to straighten it out. Within a few minutes, you’ll be able to ride your bike safely again!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Setting the Chain Tension

1
Keep your bike upside-down or on a stand while working on it.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Jonas Jackel
Owner, Huckleberry Bicycles

Expert Interview. 18 February 2020.} Lifting your rear wheel off the ground helps relieve pressure so you don’t damage your wheel while you’re working. If you have a bike stand, secure your bike so it’s at a comfortable height for you to work on. Otherwise, you can flip your bike upside-down so it’s resting on its seat and handlebars.^{[3]
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- You can buy bike stands online or from a sporting goods store.
- If you bike has handlebar extensions, it may not be sturdy while it’s upside-down. Use a bike stand instead if you can.
- Typically, you only need to adjust chain tension on a fixed-gear bike since multi-speed bikes use a derailleur, a set of gears, to control the tension.
Look for the handle near the center of the rear wheel and pull it back so it’s perpendicular to the wheel. Turn the handle counterclockwise to loosen the wheel so you can move it around. Don’t unscrew the handle completely or else the wheel could fall out.^{[4]
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3
Slide the wheel back in the dropouts to tighten the chain. Grab the center hub of the wheel and pull on it to make your adjustment. If your chain hangs loosely between the wheel and the pedals, pull the hub further out of the dropouts. Stop moving the wheel when there’s about ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) of tension on the chain.^{[5]
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- Don’t retighten the handle just yet. The wheel should stay in position since you didn’t completely loosen it. If it doesn’t stay in place, try turning it clockwise by a quarter turn.
- Make sure the wheel hub doesn’t overhang the ends of the dropouts, or else the wheel could easily slip out.
4
Slide the wheel further in the dropout to loosen the chain tension. Chains that are too tight can add stress to the gears and wear them out more quickly. Grab the center hub of the wheel and push it closer to the closed ends of the dropouts. Once the chain hangs with ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) of tension, stop pushing the wheel forward.^{[6]
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- Try turning your bike’s pedals and listen to the chain. If you hear a constant clicking sound, your chain is too tight.
Tip: Your bike chain may be greasy, so wear disposable gloves or use a paper towel if you don’t want to get messy.
5
Hold the wheel centered between the dropouts. Grab the rear tire with your nondominant hand and keep it steady. Look at your wheel from behind to make sure it’s perfectly vertical and not skewed to either side. Keep a firm grip on the wheel so it doesn’t shift around.^{[7]
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- If you leave your wheel crooked, it will brush up against the frame or your brakes, which could wear away the tires or brake pads.
6
Tighten the quick-release handle to secure the wheel. Use your dominant hand to turn the handle clockwise to tighten it again. Be sure to keep the wheel straight with your other hand while you tighten it. When the handle is parallel to the ground, fold it back against the frame of your bike to lock the wheel in place.^{[8]
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- Don’t use a tool to force a quick-release handle closed since it will affect how the wheel spins.
- If your rear wheel has a nut instead of a handle, turn it clockwise instead.
- If you feel a lot of tension when you press the handle down, turn the handle counterclockwise by a full turn to loosen it up.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Straightening a Crooked Wheel with Adjustment Screws

1
Set your bike upside-down or on a stand. Avoid working on your bike while the wheels are on the ground since the rear one could easily fall out once you’re working. Flip your bike upside-down so you can set it on the handlebars and seat. If your bike isn’t stable while it’s upside-down, hang it on a bike stand instead so the rear wheel is about chest-height.^{[9]
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- You can buy an adjustable bike stand online or at a sporting goods store. They usually cost between $50–150 USD.
Grab your wheel and turn it by hand so it rotates freely. Stand behind your wheel and watch which side it brushes against so you know where to make your adjustment. Squeeze your brakes to stop the wheel so you can start your repairs.^{[10]
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3
Loosen the quick-release handle so you can position your wheel. Find the handle sticking out from the frame near the center of the rear wheel. Pull the handle away from the frame so it sticks straight out. Turn the handle counterclockwise to loosen the wheel so it’s easier to move around.^{[11]
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- If your bike doesn’t have a quick-release handle, use a wrench to turn the nut on the side of the wheel holding the axle in place.
Locate the silver screws inside of the dropouts that poke out through the back. Tighten the adjustment screw on the same side of the frame that the wheel brushed up against. You should be able to turn the adjustment screw by hand, but you may need to use an Allen wrench or screwdriver. Keep turning the adjustment screw until it’s the same height as the other one and the wheel looks straight from behind.^{[12]
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Variation: If your bike doesn’t have adjustment screws, position the wheel’s axle so it’s parallel to the ground.
5
Loosen the screws to lower the axle. If you can’t tighten the adjustment screws, they may already be screwed in all the way. Use the screw on the side of the wheel that doesn’t brush against the frame to balance out the wheel. Turn the screw counterclockwise until it’s level with the other one and the wheel sits straight.^{[13]
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- For example, if the left side of your wheel brushes the frame when you ride your bike, loosen the adjustment screw on the right dropout.
6
Hold the wheel against the screws as you tighten the quick-release handle. Push the wheel tight against the screws with your nondominant hand so it doesn’t move around. Use your other hand to turn the quick-release handle clockwise to tighten it. Press the handle back down against the frame to lock the wheel in place.^{[14]
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- Be careful not to overtighten the handle since it will affect how the wheel spins and could damage your bike over time.
- If you don’t have a quick-release handle, tighten the nuts attached to the rear wheel axle.
7
Test your wheel to make sure it doesn’t scrape the frame or brakes. Spin your wheel again and look at it from behind. Watch the wheel to see if it wobbles from side to side or brushes up against the side of the frame. If the wheel stays straight, then it’s ready to ride!^{[15]
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- If the wheel still goes crooked, loosen the handle again and try adjusting the screws again. If you still have trouble straightening your wheel, take it into a bike shop since the entire rim may be crooked.
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How do you change a rear wheel?

Jonas Jackel
Owner, Huckleberry Bicycles
Jonas Jackel is the Owner of Huckleberry Bicycles, a bicycle retail store based in San Francisco, California. Jonas has over 20 years of experience managing bicycle retail stores and has operated Huckleberry Bicycles since 2011. Huckleberry Bicycles specializes in servicing, repairing, and custom building road, cross, gravel, touring, folding, and e-bikes. Jonas was also previously sat on the Board of Directors for Bike East Bay, a bicycle-advocacy non-profit organization based in Oakland, California.

Jonas Jackel

Owner, Huckleberry Bicycles

Expert Answer

Most bikes have a quick-release handle so you can take the rear wheel off without tools.

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Tips

Check the chain tension and wheel alignment every time you remove and reinstall the rear wheel to ensure it’s safe for you to ride.

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Warnings

Be careful not to put too much tension on your bike’s chain since you could wear it out faster.

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If you don’t feel comfortable working on your own bike, take it into a repair shop to have someone make the adjustments for you.

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