Bike tire rubbing against frame
 

Hey all,

I just got myself a good old used bicycle but after a couple of days of riding, I've somehow managed to run into this fairly large issue. When I get on the bike, after riding a couple of feet the tire starts to rub on the frame causing to become unrideable. When I get off I notice it's because the side of the wheel attachment with the nut on it (close to the gears) has slipped slightly forward thus causing the wheel to skew. This problem seems to repeat itself no matter how hard I tighten both screws down. I've attached some pictures of the problem and appreciate any and all help. I'm sorry if it's a simple fix!


EDIT: I don't have 10 posts so I can't post pictures, apologies.

It's not clear but it sounds as if your wheel has a quick release. Some work better than others, the Shimano internal cam type is the benchmark. If you have a bolt-on wheel, try adding a toothed washer. Assuming your wheel is correct width for the dropouts....

Your bike may have a bent dropout, the place on the frame with the slot that the axle slides in. That's important to hold the wheel straight. Bike shops have tools for that, but an amateur garage mechanic with a large crescent wrench and some careful measuring and a good eye can usually straighten them out.

There are a few reasons why a centered rear wheel will rub the frame when under power. A loose securement in the drop outs like a stripped or not tight axle nut or a QR that isn't fully clamping the drop out are examples of this. With a QR skewer the axle can't stick out past the drop out's outward surface (the axle must remain within the drop out's thickness) or the QR won't tighten properly. Another reason might be a broken axle., the two parts of the axle tend to remain in line WRT each other when there's no power applied tom the wheel/pedals. But when the chain pulls the cogs the wheel twists out of line. I've seen bikes that have been used for MANY miles with broken axles and the riders never noticed. Other things might also be going on but these two are the biggies. Andy

...it most probably is a simple fix. Try posting five posts daily in your thread until you get past ten and can post a picture, or post your picture on some online spot where you can give an internet address to link to it. Sadly, because of spammers and other abuse, this forum is not user friendly for an inquiry like this from a new member.

What Andrew said above covers most of the scenarios, but a photo of the right side and the dropout would help a lot.

Sometimes on an older bike, wheels get replaced with something inappropriate ...like a quick release wheel in thin stamped dropouts. Sometimes parts go missing, like the toothed washer under the axle nut that grabs a stamped dropout and distributes the force of the nut. Sometimes axle threads strip out, sometimes the nut strips so it won't hold firmly. Sometimes there just something that interferes with the nut of QR that prevents full compression and contact.

All have relatively easy repair solutions.