Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,381
Likes: 5,525
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Yes, there are many bikes with such little tire clearance. Most often because the OEM tires were 20-23mm wide and the company didn't think any one would need/want to use anything wider. I bet the OEM brakes are short reach single pivot side pulls.
Switching tire/wheel diameters seems to be the rage these days. Certainly can be done, but do the brake reach and tire width clearance math first. Going to 559 ISO diameter wheels will result in a REALLY long brake reach. BYW learn the ISO rim diameters and reference your choices by them. Using labeled inch referenced diameters means little as there are 6 different rim diameters which all can be called 26". Using the ISO rim diameters removes the confusion and mistakes in buying, especially if you can't touch the products in person (mail order). Andy.