Mountain Biking - Increasing tire clearance of V-brakes?

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Toadie
08-29-12, 10:56 PM
I have a 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport. I have replaced the fork with a Surly 1x1. I also replaced the wheels with Sunrims Rhynolytes with Deore LX hubs and skewers. I recently got a new set of tires for the bike: a 2.35" Kenda Small Block 8 for the rear, and a 2.5" Kenda Nevegal for the front. Everything works fine, but the clearance of the brake cable over the top of the front tire is a bit tight for my liking. Is there a longer set of V-brake arms that I can buy that will give me more vertical clearance?

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r150/elbeefarino/_MG_2652.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r150/elbeefarino/_MG_2654.jpg

As you can see, it isn't rubbing, but it's fairly close. Is there anything I can do, or should I just ride it as-is?

3speed
08-30-12, 02:57 AM
I vote for just going and riding it. If it doesn't seem to be rubbing on the trails, no big deal if it's close. If you try to ride in mud you'll probably have some problems, though. Even if it does catch slightly, it'll just be that little plastic cable cover, not the cable itself.
ColinL
08-30-12, 09:06 PM
Yeah, but if it packs with mud and drags, it will pull the brakes, which would probably result in a super sweet crash.

Find a friend or a bike in a shop with Shimano V-brakes and have a look at them. Better yet... take a caliper or tape measure with you.