I put together my daughter's birthday bike last night. Having trouble getting the 28 rando to fit, due to the chain length. I removed two links, and now I am caught between a too-tight chain on one hand and tire-to-brake caliper rub on the other . If the chain is a pretty basic KMC Z-410:

- Is it safe toput one of the links back in, i.e. pins not damaged by removal?
Wouldnt that push the axle off the back?

- Should I move to a half-link chain? (see pics of where axle is in the dropouts right now) Moving half link distance might be much better than a whole link. Reason I took two links out in the first place is that it looked like the wheel would be pretty far back in the dropouts if I didn't. Do you think I can out a whole link back in?

Alternate ideas? File the brake arms? Get a different (low-cost) brake with better clearance?



That's where the axle sits right now.



Tire spins right now, but there's no room for a pebble.


Thanks for any help!

I'm pretty sure you can put a link back in...as long as its not busted or anything

The cheapest solution would be a half link, which is about $3 or so at your LBS.

If you put a link back in the axle would sit too far back in the track end. You ave 3 options: smaller tire, different gearing or a half link.

Half link++.

I didn't know I could buy a half link by itself. Thanks!

Smaller tire or brake with better clearance.

Brake suggestion?

Cheapest: adding a half link.

Middle: A single pivot sidepull will give better clearance than a dual pivot. With a single pivot the tire will hit the brake at almost the same time it hits the seat stay bridge.

Most expensive but best (IMO): a frame with more tire clearance or horizontal dropouts instead of track ends.

Lower profile tire?

How wide is the present tire?

The tires are 28 Randos. Thinner tires are ruled out as an option, as the kid has skinny tire phobia. We ride dirt trails now and then in the park.

I also can't buy a different frame at this time. $$$

Thanks for all suggestions though, I appreciate the input, even when I can't use it for some reason or another. I bought the half link and will test it out when I get back in the garage at the end of this week.

Edit: Just ordered a single-pivot caliper brake. That plus the half link should resolve the issue for now.

I see you ordered another brake, but for future reference,filing it a mm is not going to cause fail.I've done it to the brake and forkcrown to fit 28s on one of my bikes and never had a problem.Also,if it spins freely you're good to go.

macnab - what frame is that? I want to see a pic of the whole bike!

Looks like Maxway dropouts, but not stamped.

Close but no cigar:

Looks like a Swobo Sanchez/I remember a thread about them recently.

I think you're right!

I am not done with it yet. Doing some work-work in Kansas City this week. I'll shoot real/final pics when I get back this weekend.

edit :yeah its the 46 sanchez

Lucky kid, great dad.

We want more pics.

what you gunna do with that other brake?

Dorothy?!