wharfrat

How much min. clearance should you have between the brake caliper and tire? I have an old road bike that I just put on a new Mavic wheel and it has about a millimeter of clearance. If you take the brake cable loose and the caliper opens, it touches. When you squeeze the caliper shut and spin the tire, the new tire nibs hit the caliper. Too close? Thanks for your help in advance. ( I should add I went from a 23 to 25 .. thought it would work )

I might be asking the question wrong. It's the top of the tire and the underside of the caliper that I'm concerned about. I'm in the process of a restoration project. Right now, the calipers are on but, the cables aren't yet. If you squeeze the calipers shut until the pad just about touches the rim, you can spin the wheel and there is just enough clearance. You can hear the new tire nibs hitting but, the tire doesn't rub. There might be 1-2mm of clearance. Is that enough?

raleighrider75

That is definatly a tight fit.I'm not sure I know what you mean by a "23 to 25".
If the wheel is that tight to the caliper I'd be concerned about the brake pads actually lining up with the rim sides.If they do line up you "could" file enough off the underside of the caliper arms to get your needed clearance.But I'd do that as a last resort and then,only take off as minimal amount possible so you don't weaken them.Also fitting a fender would be fun.
Can you find a lower profile tire?That would buy you some room.
I still think it can be done.It's just gonna take a little fiddling.
Neccesity is the mother of invention.It's not just a cliche,sometimes a way of life.

wharfrat

700X23 to a 700X25. The bike came with Conti 23's back when new. I went with a 25 at the shops suggestion. I explained to them that there wasn't a lot of clearance. They thought it wouldn't be a problem.

nlerner

I have a Univega Competizione that has a similar tight clearance. You'll find that not all 25mm tires are the same--I'm running Vittoria 25mm models, and clearance is fine.

Neal