snipped/cut: "If someone spreads the rear stays on a vintage 60s/70s frame - Columbus tubing - to accommodate a 7/8/9 speed modern cassette, how much is the frame integrity compromised?" Greg arnold nyc
my 2 cents is: you "can" do it because the material is fairly malleable (sp?) but going from 120mm to 130mm is on the extreme of what's recommended. if you owned the frame, i'd say don't revise it. if you're buying a frame that's been revised, i'd say - if you really love it, get it. if not, pass.
i think spreading rears is over-rated (to allow older frames to
use modern parts...) and i wish i could think of an appropriate
analogy to other finely made objects,
but - alas - i cannot.
e-RICHIE
chester, ct