calgary_jim

I am running Eurus wheels with 700x23 Vittorio Rubino's. There is like 1 mm of clearance from the tire to the frame of the brake set on the rear wheel. Even the slightest bit of wheel crud will snag on the brake set - is there a way to increase this clearance? Do different tires have different heights?

rpenmanparker 

That's crazy. Are you sure those are 23s? If so, then your frame doesn't have enough distance from the brake bridge to the dropouts. Yes, different tires have different heights, but not that different within the same width class. You can try lowering your wheel in the vertical dropouts if that doesn't push it so far forward as to foul the seat tube or chain stays.

StanSeven

Both Conti GP 4000 and Mich Pro Race have lower profiles.

calgary_jim

Maybe I can get some low profile gangster tires?

StanSeven

Run them with 50 lbs. That should help.

bikemig 

So would riding with flat tires but the ride quality would be bumpy. This is crazy; the bike should have more clearance.

calgary_jim

thats not really a practical solution.

rpenmanparker 

Duh. Ya think?

rpenmanparker 

I think you mean "gangsta".

rm -rf

You should have much more clearance. I have 25c tires with the same brakes, and there's at least 3-5 mm clearance.

Your brake pads are bolted to the top of the slots on the brake arms. Mine are almost to the bottom.

Do you have an unusual rear dropout that positions the wheel too high in the frame?

calgary_jim

I'll throw it up on the stand tomorrow and check the dropouts - it's also time for new tires so I might try the Michelins. I do have a heck of a time mounting tires on the Eurus wheels and so this probably contributes to the overheight along with the 110 psig tires. I don't know what else I can do.

shelbyfv

Something must be wrong with the dropouts or the seatstay drilling but there isn't much you can do about it. Maybe you could mount the brake on the "inside" of the stay, looks like that might give more clearance.

rpenmanparker 

I think there may be shims or spacers that can be fitted to the dropout to hold the wheel axle away from the top of the dropout. Kind of like the adjustment screws that used to come on horizontal dropouts. If there is room in the chain stays and behind the seat tube, then the slight forward shift of the wheel (shorter wheel base) this would cause wouldn't be a problem.

kenji666

I thought this was a thread about tire and brake clearance sales.

CrankAndYank

Is that frame made for a diff wheel size? 26"?

caloso

I think your limiting factor is the caliper, not the brake bridge. Rearrange the washers on the brake pads by putting one on the outside of the arm. Reset the cable. Now the arm should be pulled a few mm higher in the rest position.

StanSeven

Those brake calipers (forget the brand) are not part of the groupset. Somebody brought them separately. Either they aren't installed properly and need some adjustments per the comment above or need replaced with something that allows enough room.

calgary_jim

Sorry guys, but the brakes were installed correctly along with the entire groupo - puchased as a groupo. Adjusting the calipers where the pads attached will not make a difference - the problem is in the height of the brake frame itself and the clearance to the tire.

rpenmanparker 

You misunderstand. The pads were only mentioned as a reference point, not because they have any influence on the problem. The fact that they are so high means the brake bridge is too low or the dropouts are too high.

calgary_jim

Problem fixed! Apparently (did not realize this), as tires get worn and fatigued, they swell and this impaired the clearance. Put on a new set of conti's and the clearance is back to probably 6-7 mm. Woohoo! I'll need to keep an eye on this in the future.

NathanC

How are you liking your, I presume, EMX-5?

calgary_jim

I love the bike. Sometimes I pull into the garage after work and just stare at it. My wife thinks I'm completely nuts.

rm -rf

That's interesting. Vittorio Rubinos. I would never have expected tires to stretch their inflated diameter.

TromboneAl

But now you have to buy some tire savers.

caloso

I have never heard of this. Interesting.