Chainstay/tire clearance -- how much is enough?
10-25-13, 03:36 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 371
Bikes: 1983 Trek 620, 2010 Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Chainstay/tire clearance -- how much is enough?
I'd like to put 28mm tires on my Spesh Roubaix, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of room at the chain stays... So I thought I'd ask how much room is necessary.
I currently have 25mm Conti GP400's installed, and have about a 4mm (5/32) of space between the tire and the frame.
I'd like to install 28mm Gatorskins.
The wheels are 36-spoke Velocity Fusion rims if it makes a difference.
Any thoughts? When I install them, how big a gap between tire and frame is adviseable? How close is too close?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!
-TH
I currently have 25mm Conti GP400's installed, and have about a 4mm (5/32) of space between the tire and the frame.
I'd like to install 28mm Gatorskins.
The wheels are 36-spoke Velocity Fusion rims if it makes a difference.
Any thoughts? When I install them, how big a gap between tire and frame is adviseable? How close is too close?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!
-TH
10-25-13, 03:53 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,704
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5778 Post(s)
Liked 2,576 Times
in
1,427 Posts
Anything more than zero is fine. However you should make a provision for if the wheel gets misaligned. How much depends on what you're comfortable with and how far your longest trip is and where. For a commuter in an area where you could walk or hitchhike home if the wheel is bent enough to rub, then you can work pretty close, say 1/16" on each side. OTOH, if this is a touring bike, you don't want to get stranded and I'd consider 1/8" per side the absolute minimum.
Of course, this is wider than the brake clearance, but brakes can be opened to make more room in a pinch, but chainstays can't.
Of course, this is wider than the brake clearance, but brakes can be opened to make more room in a pinch, but chainstays can't.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-25-13, 08:37 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 330
Bikes: 1981 Bianchi Limited 650B conversion (sold), 1985(?) Guerciotti retro-roadie, 2018 Specialized Allez Sprint, 2012 Specialized Crux, mid 80's Focus MB-400
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
After you install the larger tires, but before you go on a long ride, take the bike on a test ride and ride uphill out of the saddle. With very tight clearance between the chainstays, it is possible that the tire will rub under hard pedaling. Hopefully the test ride will provide a good indication of whether that is a problem.
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
10-26-13, 06:20 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,951
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
12 Posts
After you install the larger tires, but before you go on a long ride, take the bike on a test ride and ride uphill out of the saddle. With very tight clearance between the chainstays, it is possible that the tire will rub under hard pedaling. Hopefully the test ride will provide a good indication of whether that is a problem.
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
10-27-13, 10:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 371
Bikes: 1983 Trek 620, 2010 Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
After you install the larger tires, but before you go on a long ride, take the bike on a test ride and ride uphill out of the saddle. With very tight clearance between the chainstays, it is possible that the tire will rub under hard pedaling. Hopefully the test ride will provide a good indication of whether that is a problem.
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
-Tom in SoCal
10-27-13, 11:26 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
If you don't already have one, a FiberFix spoke is a good insurance policy to take with you on long rides. It lets you replace a broken spoke without removing the freewheel/cassette. When only a small wobble would cause the rear tire to rub, its an even better idea to bring one along.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 10-28-13 at 02:13 PM.
10-28-13, 10:08 PM
#7
Senior Member
Originally Posted by rowebr;16193046.
Changing from 25mm to 28mm tires actually does make a noticeable difference in comfort so I think this is an experiment worth trying. I hope it works!
10-29-13, 06:39 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 330
Bikes: 1981 Bianchi Limited 650B conversion (sold), 1985(?) Guerciotti retro-roadie, 2018 Specialized Allez Sprint, 2012 Specialized Crux, mid 80's Focus MB-400
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I think the 28mm Panaracer Paselas (non-tourguard) should provide a more comfortable ride without spending too much money.
10-29-13, 08:12 AM
#9
Senior Member
I wouldn't agree with that, I went from 28's down to 25's and didn't notice much comfort loss at all. But I did notice a performance increase with he 25's. Of course this is all subjective, so YMMV. But for me the 28's where just too big and sluggish.
And with the op's Roubaix(I ride one too with the oe 23's) which is designed for comfort to being with, 28's would be a big performance drain.
10-29-13, 08:28 AM
#10
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
I'd consider the 700x28 Continental Grand Prix 4Season for a smoother ride with very good flat protection and a supple all-weather tread compound. Also, these are closer to an actual 26 to 27mm wide and will easily clear the chainstays.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-29-13 at 08:35 AM.
10-29-13, 10:16 AM
#11
Banned
You are aware.. debris can jam in the RCH of space and Stop the wheel turning, cut into the side wall
and various other potental damage can occur.. . including falling down at speed.
and various other potental damage can occur.. . including falling down at speed.
10-29-13, 07:24 PM
#13
Banned
a single broken spoke will do it as well .. fewer spokes in the wheel, the more it goes out of whack.
10-29-13, 09:27 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 371
Bikes: 1983 Trek 620, 2010 Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks for the suggestion Barretscv. I have the Gators already (takeoffs from another bike) so that saves a few dollars, but if I decide to pop for new tires, I'll look carefully at the GP4season. Sure wish the GP4000S was available in 28mm...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gresp15C
Bicycle Mechanics
2
02-27-16 09:17 PM
Kommisar89
Classic & Vintage
9
06-04-11 06:02 PM
