it's aluminum, so i can't just flex the seat/chain stays out to hold it. it isn't a very important issue, per se, but i have a formula 24 hole rear hub from a mtb wheelset with ruined rims and a mavic cxp 30 24 hole rim and i was thinking about building a wheel if there is a way to make it work. any suggestions?

you can remove them. not sure if the axle would fit without being shortened but that's easy to check.