Tire and frame/fork clearance
05-08-07 | 08:39 AM
#1
Thread Starter
steel lover
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Bikes: Bianchi Alloro, Miyata 710, Fuji Espree Fixie convert
Tire and frame/fork clearance
I see lots of bikes in this section with very minimal clearance between tires and frame/fork. I was wondering if that's frame design, or if a larger than stock tire/rim is being used. I mean, I've seen one pic where the poster said if they over-inflated, the tire would rub the fork. 
I had wondered if it was a 27 tire on a 700c frame/fork. Out of curiousity, I stuck a 27 wheel on my Bianchi roadie (700c)... and it still had PLENTY of clearance, no where near as close as some of the bikes I've seen on here.
Really just curious.
What's the point of the minimal clearance? Looks? Aero (taken from track bikes)? Greater BB clearance?
I had wondered if it was a 27 tire on a 700c frame/fork. Out of curiousity, I stuck a 27 wheel on my Bianchi roadie (700c)... and it still had PLENTY of clearance, no where near as close as some of the bikes I've seen on here.
Really just curious.
What's the point of the minimal clearance? Looks? Aero (taken from track bikes)? Greater BB clearance?
05-08-07 | 08:47 AM
#4
oldsprinter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
From: Tokyo
Originally Posted by Pfutz
track bikes have less rake on their forks because they do not need to turn as agressivly, it is more aerodynamic. Riding a bike with less rake leads to poorer handling.
But you will be able to do barspins.
But you will be able to do barspins.
05-08-07 | 09:42 AM
#6
Thread Starter
steel lover
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Bikes: Bianchi Alloro, Miyata 710, Fuji Espree Fixie convert
Sorry, I don't mean rake, or tire width. I mean diameter clearance.
Like this bike....
Versus this, which is what I normally see...
Like this bike....
Versus this, which is what I normally see...
05-08-07 | 01:59 PM
#10
out of shape
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 0
From: va
IIRC it's just a characteristic that many track frames have. 110 or 120 rear (versus 126 or 130), coupled with steeper HT and ST angles, and a higher BB. In concert with the above fact about skinnier tires on tracks, designers can make everything tighter.
05-08-07 | 02:09 PM
#12
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
^same here.
Edit: Here's what Randy Cunningham, the maker of my frame, had to say about clearances:
Edit: Here's what Randy Cunningham, the maker of my frame, had to say about clearances:
Any good/real track bike should have tight clearances as you are generally
going for ultimate strength and it all adds up. There is an incredible
amount of junk being fobbed off as 'track' frames these days. Like so much
else in our society, things are getting more and more diluted.
going for ultimate strength and it all adds up. There is an incredible
amount of junk being fobbed off as 'track' frames these days. Like so much
else in our society, things are getting more and more diluted.
05-08-07 | 03:00 PM
#13
Car magnet
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, Georgia
Bikes: 80's Hoffy track frame 49x15, 80's guerciotti track 47x15(destroyd by a car), '78 ross conversion(RIP, died of old age), '06 fuji track(RIP, hit by a trolley), '75 Alan Aluminum(in the works)
cause it's sexy....RIP big buddy.
