I'm building a new bike, and I have a problem I haven't run into before, and am hoping for some ideas. I have the following configuration :

Alpha Q GS40
SRAM Red Front Brake
Edge Composites 65 wheel
Vredestein Fortezza Quatro Tri-comp tire

Once I put this all together, the front brake arm rubs slightly on the tire in a couple of places. I worry that once I hit the hot road, and the tire expands, this problem will just become worse. What are my options? I think this is already a pretty low profile tire. Is there a way to move the brake up, with a special bolt through the fork?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

You can't adjust the pads downward in the brake? Pic?

Brad

I guess you could try out some 20mm tires.

They do have offset bolts, I'm not sure they would work in this situation because I've never used one, I just know about their existence. It seems like the ones I've seen offset too much for this application.

Thanks for your help!

Hmm, the offset bolt might work, as the ones I've seen offset by about 4mm. I must not be calling them the right name, since I can't find them on the internet, however. They were used for 27" to 700c conversions.

hmmm, how is your wheel mounted in the fork? Are there some spacers inside the quick release that might be off some? Looks like the brake pads are all the way to the top.

sfergu, Thanks for the pic, I'd misunderstood what you meant. What size tire is mounted? My 23C TriComps were the shortest/narrowest 23C I'd ever used. Another possibility is to use some sort of spacer on the front axle to drop the hub a mm or two, if there's room in the dropout.

Brad

Well, I just seated the QR skewer into the fork so it rested on the fork, then tightened it down so it was centered. The pads don't rub, it is the arm of the brake on the tire.

It is a 23C. Where would someone get these spacers for the front axle? I think there is room, as there is still some space in the dropout. Thanks!

Your QR for the caliper is slightly open. Does it make any difference if it's closed correctly?

If I close it all the way, it drags less, but still drags, but then the brake pad drags too. I also worry that when I get it out on hot pavement it will expand some and drag even more.

sfergu, This is an unusual problem, at least for an amateur like me, I don't know of any ready made shims. Perhaps the easiest solution is to file or dremel away the bottom of the brake arm for clearance.

Brad

I thought it was pretty strange too. I expected to see more people having this problem with this fork, but perhaps it is the fork/wheel combination that is the problem. I am hesitant to hack into the Red brakes for fear of messing with the structural integrity. I'm thinking of just selling this fork and getting another similar, that might have more clearance. Thoughts?

You don't like the idea of runnin' 20mm tires, eh? That's what I'd do.

I'll see if I can find one. Thanks!

I even saw some 18s at the swap meet a couple weeks ago.

are you using the serrated washer for the brake? try a thicker or thinner one

^That souds like a good idea. If you can move the caliper closer to the fork you might get enough clearance... just looked at one of my bikes for reference.

Brad

Brake and tire saver in one... Here is the opposite of your problem.